Page 84 of Beau Pair
Gordon removes his hands and takes his coffee again.
“I-That’s great, Gordon. I mean, that you want to spend more time with Elsie and me,” I tell him, and get up for another refill.
“Yeah, I’m also dropping more classes from next semester. I’ll just keep the ones I still enjoy and that don’t require too much work time at home,” he adds.
“Can-can you afford to take a step back on so many things?”
It’s obviously none of my business, and I don’t care about his pockets, only his heart, but I can’t imagine it’s easy doing what he’s doing. Sounds a lot like very drastic measures, and I just hope he doesn’t come to regret it. Not that I can imagine any parent regretting not being closer with their kid.
“I could stop working tomorrow and never have to work for the rest of my life. So yeah, I can. We can,” he says.
He stretches his hand out, and I give mine to him. He pulls me into his lap and hugs me.
“What’s mine is yours, baby,” he says, and gives me a kiss.
“Boy, you’re going to regret saying that,” I tell him, barely able to withhold a chuckle.
“That’s fine. I always wanted a sugar baby,” he says, and I gawk.
“Oh really?” I tell him with a big furrow of my brows. “Is that all I am? Someone to rain gifts on?”
“Are you going to complain?”
“Fuck no. Just want to be sure,” I say, and he laughs.
Someone dry coughs, bringing us out of our own little world, and we both turn to look at Mrs. Miller.
“Everything okay?” I ask, and get off Gordon’s lap.
Mrs. Miller nods and walks into the kitchen and toward the coffee maker.
“Doctor Jones called about your mama’s results,” she says.
“And?” I ask.
“She just had an infection that caused pericardial effusion,” she says.
“What the hell is that?”
“It’s just some excess fluid around the heart. She’s gonna be just fine. Just needs to rest and take some medication for it, but it’s nothing serious. Mama Hadlee will just need to take things slow for the next few months, is all,” Mrs. Miller says, and I’m finally able to breathe clearly for the first time, it seems.
“Does that mean I can go see her?”
“Jackie! I told you not to call him. Now look what you’ve done. Upset them for no reason,” Mama says from the kitchen entry, and I practically pounce on her to envelop her in my arms.
She looks a bit pale and the bags under her eyes are heavier than normal, but otherwise, she appears to be fine.
“Mrs. Miller did the right thing, Mama,” I tell her.
She gives me a tight tug before I let go, and then her gaze lands on Gordon.
“I take it you’re the daddy taking advantage of my Beaumont?” she tells him, and both Mrs. Miller and I gape.
“Mama!” I scold her. “No one’s taking advantage of anyone.”
She raises an eyebrow at me and walks toward him. Gordon stands up and shakes her hand, then offers her his seat.
“I like you better already,” she says.
