Page 2 of Midlife Tiger’s Last Chance

And now this man is returning home and my babysitter has to leave in less than an hour.

“Well, perhaps just a quick hello,” a deep voice says from behind me. The best way to describe this voice is regal, kingly. I turn around and my jaw drops. It’s the man himself. I recognize him from photographs, and I think they don’t even come close to doing him justice. Did I just think this man is returning home? If someone tells me he’s not a man but a god, I’m not going to dispute that at all.

I manage to say in a voice that sounds far too small, “Hello.”

He smiles and that smile is enough to make me feel weak in the knees. “Well,” he says, “that’s attention to detail. I asked for a quick hello, and you did exactly what I asked.”

“Welcome home, Mr. Matheson,” Jenna says.

“Jenna!” he says warmly. “It’s been too long since I’ve seen your face.”

She smiles and says, “We have video calls twice a month and the last one was an hour before your flight.”

He shrugs. “Well, then, it’s been too long since this.” He opens his arms, and she walks forward and hugs him. I think he notes my surprised expression, and he says, “How’s my cousin?”

“Still driving me crazy,” Jenna replies. “But divorce is so expensive.”

He laughs and the laugh is beautiful. “You know, he says the same thing but I’m pretty sure you’ve got the better claim.”

“Mr. Matheson, I…” He looks at me as Jenna disengages and I forget what I’m trying to say.

He smiles and says, “You need to leave so your babysitter doesn’t give you a hard time. Go on. It’s no problem at all. I’ll see you tomorrow.”

I nod and manage a thank you and I think I’m still dazed ten minutes later as I navigate my commute.

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