Page 88 of Lovebug
We’re like a pair of really intense nodding bobbleheads who have no business nodding or bobbling together.
“Mabel?” a deep male voice startles me out of my staring and bobbling.
“Wallace,” Naomi coos and places a perfectly manicured hand on his arm. “What can I do for you?”
“I need Mabel.”
“You need Mabel?” She sort of half laughs, half scoffs.
“That’s right,” he says, looking directly into my eyes. “I need Mabel.”
Gosh, those blue eyes really are something. They draw me in. Every single time. I wonder if he knows he has this snowflake-like pattern swirling in the blue and—
“So could you give us a moment, please?” he asks with only the tiniest hint of impatience.
“Yes,” I say. “Of course, yes.” I start removing myself from whatever it is these two have going on between them.
His big hand lands gently on my shoulder to stop me.
“I was talking to Naomi. Naomi, couldyouplease give us a moment?”
I see a look pass over her face that is decidedly displeased. But it’s gone almost as soon as it appears.
“Of course, Wallace. I need to keep making the rounds anyway,” she says tightly and taps her trusty clipboard. Her eyes shift back to me. “By the way, Mabel, how are your grandparents doing? Give them my regards, will you?”
My grandparents? What is she talking about?
“My, uh… my nana and grandpop passed when I was seven,” I say, completely confused. “I don’t think you ever met them, did you?”
“Oh, I’m sorry, I meant yourparents. How are Abe and Helen doing?” Her smile is unconvincing.
“They’re… fine, thanks. Great, actually.”
“I’m glad to hear it. I heard about Abe’s… ‘incident.’ We are calling it an ‘incident,’ right? Not a breakdown or an episode or a—?”
“Ahem.” Wally clears his throat and gives her a look.
She looks at him and switches gears. “Anyway, I was concerned. He’s doing better now?”
“Much better, yes.”
“Oh good. Wonderful news. I’ll see you at noon, Wallace.” She gives him a little wink, then turns her back and saunters in the direction of the main pavilion where festival attendees are gathering for a music performance by a local band.
What the heck was that?Was she mocking my parents for being conservative? Old-fashioned? For looking slightly older maybe? Well,excuuuuusethem for not embracing Botox likesomepeople we know. It disturbs me how often unkind people are put in positions of power. It disturbs me even more how I feel a need to bow down to them and cater to their every demand. I’m tired of feeling like people can just—
I take in Wally standing beside me, watching me.
“A lot goes on in that head of yours, doesn’t it? I just watched you go all over the place. Where were you?”
“Eh. Nowhere.”
“Was she bothering you? Naomi?”
“Nah.”
“That’s surprising.”
“Surprising? Why?”
