Page 70 of Rebound With Me
“He’s ten. He’s a great kid, actually, really smart. You want to see pictures?”
“Of course.”I bet he’s a South Side Soc.
“He’s a really handsome little devil.”
“Complicated boy, but very shrewd,” says Russell. “Sadie speaks highly of your little brother,” he offers to Vince.
“Good,” is his reply.
Sadie pulls out her phone and smiles innocently as she swipes through some photos. “His parents are super busy, but they’re all in Hawaii this week. Here, this is a great shot of him.” She turns her phone so I can see it, and slowly swipes once she’s thoroughly enjoyed seeing the look on my face as I get a glimpse of the picture of her and Vince kissing each other. That photo is replaced by one of a dark-haired boy who’s looking up at the camera like he’s mesmerized by the person taking the picture.
“He is handsome,” I manage to say, with barely any volume. “He looks like an old soul.”And a total Bob Sheldon from The Outsiders.
“That’s what I always say!” she exclaims, putting the phone away. “It’s too bad he didn’t get to be in your class.” She nudges Russell. “I bet he would have liked her, huh?”
“And vice versa,” he quips. “Nina always did have a soft spot for the bad boys. Tell me, Vince, which college did you go to?”
“Well, I used to tell people that I graduated from the College of Hard Knocks with a double major in Fuck You, if I got the sense they were being condescending. But since this is such a friendly double date…” He doesn’t say anything else, just finishes his glass of wine.
“Vince is one of the smartest people I’ve ever met,” I say, sounding just a tiny bit defensive.
Vince turns his head to me, grinning. “Yeah?”
“Yeah. You’ve got a sharp mind. Lightning fast, really.”
“Wow,” says Russell. “Sharpandlightning fast. That is impressive.”
“And it’s not even the most impressive thing about him,” I say, looking directly at Russell and Sadie.
Vince is quietly laughing and holding my hand, but it’s the second and third glasses of wine that get me through dinner.
After Sadie insists we all order dessert and coffee, she starts telling a seemingly innocuous story about Charlie that has Vince fuming. It seems to me that she is subtly egging him on, and they sound like a divorced couple with a child, and I just want to get the flork out of here.
“That’s not how it went down at all,” he says through clenched teeth.
“You aren’t actually suggesting that it’s my fault he broke the TV?”
“No, I just don’t think you handled it in the best way afterwards.”
“Well, you weren’t my employer, your dad was and he didn’t have any complaints.”
“No, he just got high blood pressure a few months after hiring you.”
“Oh. My. God. Vince. Can I talk to you in private?” She pushes her chair back.
“Nope.”
She looks directly at me.
I say in the gentlest most easy-going voice I can conjure up, “Go ahead. It’s fine.”
He searches my eyes, and comes to a decision. “Okay.” He nods towards the doors to the lobby. “We’ll be right over there. Be right back.” Vince kisses my cheek and slowly follows Sadie out of the restaurant, passing our confused busboy who is returning with our coffee.
Russell and I are silent and refrain from making eye contact until we are alone at the table.
“How are your parents?”
“They’re great.”
