Page 15 of Redemption

“Maybe not.” I’m still laughing a little. “But in all the years I’ve known you, that was the first clue I’ve ever gotten that you possess a sense of humor.”

His forehead wrinkles. “That can’t be right.”

“I don’t think it’s right either, but it’s true. You’ve never cracked a joke or laughed at someone else’s jokes or even responded to something funny with a smile.”

“It’s probably because you’ve only known me while I was working.”

“What does that have to do with having a sense of humor? People still laugh and smile while they work.”

“Maybe. But my job is different.”

“Why?” I’m asking for real, not challenging him. I’m certain he’ll be able to tell the difference.

“Because what I do requires me to have access to my client’s intimate lives. I see a lot more than a person should. I have to be careful not to overstep boundaries.”

I think about that for a minute. Eventually nod. “That makes sense.”

“Glad you approve of my work philosophy.” His voice is as even as always, but there’s a slight edge that makes me peer at him.

“Are you humoring me?”

“Definitely not.”

“Teasing me?”

“Maybe a little.”

I burst into giggles again and then retreat behind a forkful of my pasta salad.

In the time it takes me to chew and swallow, he’s taken three more big bites of his sandwich.

“I figured it’s just your personality,” I say at last.

“What is?”

“The way you kind of resemble a granite statue.”

His eyebrows arch up.

“Your behavior,” I clarify. “Not your appearance. You definitely look like a human, but you’ve always acted like you don’t feel anything at all.”

“My job isn’t to feel things. It’s to keep you safe.”

“I know it is. Honestly, I’m not trying to insult you or anything. But you’ve got to admit you’ve always acted pretty impervious.”

“Maybe.” His mouth does that little tilt up at one corner.

“So I figured it was just how you are naturally. I didn’t know you had a whole work philosophy that precluded you from chatting and showing emotion and otherwise behaving like a human being. I thought you were just closed off.”

“Well, you aren’t entirely wrong.”

I’m enjoying this conversation more than anything in a really long time. It feels like a victory I didn’t even know I was pursuing. My eyes widen. “So your personality does resemble a granite statue?”

He gives a slight huff, and his shoulders rise and fall with the quick breath. There’s no way of knowing for sure, but it might actually have been the briefest of laughs. “I wouldn’t say that. But I’m kind of closed off.”

“Why is that?”

He gives a half shrug.

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