Page 151 of Pick-Up
I feel the absence of his hands, when he swings his backpack off one shoulder and unzips it from the top. He digs inside and pulls out a super-squished plastic-wrapped pink cotton candy.
“For you,” he says, presenting the pastel lump to me like a bouquet.
I am touched. Like for real. “For me? It’s like an edible corsage!”
“That’s the best kind. They were selling it at the stand up bythe park entrance. It seemed like an ideal peace offering. Sorry it’s mushed.”
“It’s not mushed,” I say, cradling it to my chest. “It’s artistic!”
“If you say so.”
I remove the plastic and toss it in the garbage, rip off a fluffy chunk and let it disintegrate on my tongue. “Mmm.”
“Good?”
“Best thing to happen to me all day.”
He shoots me aReally?look.
“Okay. Second best.”
“You don’t want to wait to eat it?”
“What? And have to share it with the kids?”
I pull off a chunk and pop it in his mouth. He lets it melt. Nods like it’s pretty good. I kiss him one more time for good measure. It’s sticky and sweet. I want seconds.
But I will have to wait.
He weaves his fingers through mine, and we start walking around the loop toward school, runners rushing past us in various states of hyperventilation. I hear a rustle in the trees above us. Some birds are having a rap battle. Maybe in our honor.
As we near the park’s exit, we pass the playground on our right. I glance over at some toddlers squealing as they take turns throwing themselves down the mini slide, and I don’t know if I’m inventing it or if it’s real, but, all at once, I am flooded with a memory of pushing Nettie in a swing. Beside me is a dad, pushing his own daughter as we chat. He’s adorable and funny and, I think, maybe in another lifetime….
Could it be?
Now, Ethan leans into me. Nudges me with his elbow. Then throws his arm around my shoulders. Sends a shiver of electricity coursing through every part of me. I reach up and nuzzle into his neck.
I am happy. Sexually frustrated. But happy.
“Rain check for tomorrow?” I say. “For the going-to-bed thing?”
“Hmm.” He narrows his eyes, like he’s considering it. “No. I don’t think so.”
“What! Why?”
“The thing is, now that you have this edible corsage and everything, I think maybe we shouldn’t waste it. I think I need to take you out. Tonight.”
I stop short and look up at him. I want to go so badly, but there is no way.
“Ethan! I don’t have a babysitter.”
“Actually, you do.”
“I do? How?”
He nods, placing a hand on each of my shoulders. “Celeste is taking your kids for the night.”
“What? How?” I am in shock.
