Page 10 of Manny for the Alien
When I opened the door, he looked tired, but smiled.
“Sorry to disturb you. I just got back and wanted to check in.”
“It’s fine. Come in.”
He entered my bedroom and stood, looking around at all of my things for a moment, smiling softly.
“You made the place your own,” he said. “I like it.”
He wiggled his toes into the fluffy carpet and then came and sat down on the bed next to me.
“How did it go today? Were the kids good to you?”
“Yeah, they were great. Azalea’s friend walked her home like you said. They all went to bed pretty early.”
“Great,” he said, sighing and leaning back on his hands. “It was a busy day so I didn’t have much time to check in.”
“That’s okay... What do you do exactly?” I asked.
“I help with surgeries mostly. I can put people to sleep for any duration with mypapilionoidean powders. I can also calm people and help deescalate situations. Sometimes its scheduled procedures, but lately they want me to jump in more in various departments.”
“I’ll bet,” I said, impressed. “It must be really handy to have you there.”
He smiled ruefully.
“I think so, and that makes me want to help as much as I can, but I miss a lot of time with my children.”
He rubbed his face tiredly and my heart went out to him. I wanted to touch him, rest a hand on his arm or pat his back but that felt like crossing a line. I had just started working here. I didn’t want to make my boss uncomfortable.
“Did they eat dinner?” he asked suddenly.
I grimaced.
“Well, Azalea did. The other two fell asleep in front of the TV before I was done cooking.”
He frowned.
“Oh, did they have trouble napping today?”
I frowned.
“Napping?”
He looked at me for a long moment but I couldn’t read his expression.
“Well, yes, they are very young. Both Aster and Iris need to nap for at least one or two hours in the afternoon.”
My heart sank.
“I didn’t realize,” I said, regretfully.
“That’s alright...” he said, but it didn’t sound like he meant it at all. “You didn’t know. I should have taken the time to discuss everything with you this morning. I should have told the hospital that I couldn’t come in on such short notice.”
I found myself shaking my head even though I couldn’t argue with that. Maybe I needed a schedule or something.
“Was Azalea well behaved?”
My cheeks heated with a blush but I nodded.
