Page 97 of My Wife
My stomach swoops and energy I shouldn’t have at this late hour suddenly rushes through me. How much truth can I reveal?
Me: I know you call me Mr. Meanie. Have broken the rules … At first I thought it was childish. Now it’s kind of endearing.
Jessica: Says the guy who has adult temper tantrums. I also call you Big Daddy. Just in my head mostly. Is that weird? You’re big and a daddy.
Is it odd that I like that she has names for me?
Me: Are there any others?
Jessica: Love Puff.
Me: You do not call me that.
Jessica: I might now.
Me: Have any secrets?
Jessica: Loads. You?
Me: A few.
Actually, just the one and she can never know. Whatever we have would instantly be over. She’d hate me if she found out.
Jessica: Okay, since you asked and practically had to drag it out of me, I have a deep coffee insecurity.
Me: I didn’t ask and I already knew that.
Jessica: Okay, how about this one? I’m a dysfunctional adult.
Me: On the contrary, you’re highly functioning, running my life, the kid’s, and yours.
Jessica: Turns out it’s easier to help others.
Me: Than to help yourself?
She doesn’t answer, but I want to help her. Show her how special she is. How important. Smart, beautiful, adored. The desire comes over me with the same forceful drive as I have to win the finals.
Whoa. Time topivot,pivot,pivot. Or not.
Me: Here’s one. My brother has major rizz and sometimes I get jealous.
Jessica: Frizz? Why would you be jealous of that?
Me: No, rizz, like confidence, charm. Basically, he’s my opposite.
Jessica: Look at you, using slang like a modern man instead of a caveman.
Me: So you knew what it meant. Why’d you ask if I meant frizz?
Jessica: Because maybe I wanted to say that I like how you are.
Me: You constantly call me a grump.
Jessica: I never said I don’t like it.
Me: How could you like a grump?
Jessica: Stop being so judgy.
