Page 44 of Changing Tides
They gathered their crates and wandered back down to the boat, pleased that they’d be seeing Denny. So, why were they disappointed Marianne only wanted them for childcare?Aagh. Why is there no pleasing me?
Saturday night came aroundand they turned up in plenty of time before Marianne needed to leave. They knocked and heard a distant “Coming!” After a minute, Marianne opened the door,a toothbrush in her mouth and dressed in nothing but bra and panties.
The heat that spread through Joey made them unsteady. They sucked in a breath in an attempt not to pass out on the doorstep. Marianne reddened.
“Oh, God, I’m sorry,” she mumbled around the toothbrush. “You’re early and Denny isn’t quite at the answering the door stage yet.” She dashed back toward the bedroom.
Denny was playing on the floor with some Duplo bricks and Joey dropped to join him. “Hi, Denny.”Think about Duplo bricks.
“Joey.” Denny reached his chubby little arms out and sat between Joey’s crossed legs. “Boat?” He held up a construction that bore no resemblance to a boat that Joey could see.
“That’s grand. Shall we try and make another one?” They picked up some more blocks and guided Denny to put them together in a vaguely hull-shaped structure. As they worked together, Denny’s little fingers made up in enthusiasm what they lacked in precision. Joey was completely engrossed in the process until Marianne cleared her throat.
“You two make a good team.” She was standing in the doorway, a crease between her eyebrows, but thankfully fully dressed.
Denny pointed at their creation. “Joey boat.”
“It is Joey’s boat. You’re a clever boy.”
Joey sat him down and stood up, stretching their legs, stiff from the time on the floor.
“Sorry about earlier. I didn’t think.” Marianne flushed again.
“It’s okay. I want you to feel safe around me.”
“Oh, I do. Hence not thinking twice about answering the door to you half dressed. But I realize that might not be appropriate.”
“Really, it’s fine.” Joey wished they didn’t have every detail of Marianne in her plain but skimpy black cotton underwearetched into their brain. The way her small, perfectly shaped breasts rose out of the sports bra. They shook their head and wished they had time to go for a quick sea swim to cool off.
Marianne brushed past them and sat down next to Denny. “Mama’s got to go back to work now, sweetpea. Joey’s going to stay and play with you, but you must go to bed when they say, okay?”
Denny wrapped his arms around her neck, and she pulled him in close and kissed his little cheeks. He pulled away from the kisses and turned. “Joey story?”
Marianne laughed as she stood. “He’s so fickle in his love.”
“You’re so close, I don’t think there’s any danger of you ever having to compete for his affection.” Joey picked up Denny with one hand and swept him into their arms. “Let’s go and wave goodbye to Mama.”
As Marianne opened the truck door, she turned. “I appreciate the loan of this, too. I’m going to have to make other arrangements now I’m here for a while.”
Joey shrugged. “It’s impossible to get hold of a car around here. And I like riding my bike when I don’t need the van for deliveries.” They nodded to their beaten-up old mountain bike leaning against the wall.
“Oh, Joey, you can’t be riding a bike while I’m using your truck. That’s so unfair.”
“I mean it; I love the bike. It makes me feel good.” They enjoyed the way they could burn off some of their more negative emotions while riding in the fresh air. The ride home in the dark tonight might not be quite so much fun, though.
“I know what you mean.” Marianne leaned on the hood of the truck. “I used to ride everywhere around town before Denny came along.”
Joey shuffled Denny around so they could check the time. “You’re going to be late for your shift.”
Marianne checked her watch. “Oh, God. How did that happen?” She looked up with a grin as she jumped into the cab. “You’re a bad influence on me, Joey O’Hara.” She lowered the window. “Bye, Denny. Be good.” She blew him a kiss.
As she drove off, Denny turned to Joey. “Mama gone.” His little bottom lip quivered.
“Only for a little while. Let’s get you some dinner and practice that word so you can say “Mama” when she’s here.”
They had been looking forward to spending time with Denny since Marianne had asked the favor. They genuinely enjoyed his company. It was the one thing about their life that they’d never been completely at peace with. That they could never have a child of their own.
People who could walk away from their connection with a child were a complete mystery to them. How could they break that bond? They watched Denny doing his best to pick up his food with a fork and wondered how hard it was going to be to say goodbye when Marianne inevitably left to pick up her own exciting life.
