Page 86 of Not Looking
She turned back to me. “Ok.”
“Scrambled ok? That way I can make a big pan rather than make people wait on frying them two-at-a-time.”
“That’s fine,” she answered. “The kids prefer scrambled.”
“Ok.”
“Randy?” I asked.
He smiled. “Scrambled is fine.”
“Ok,” I stood and started around the table. I leaned in to kiss Randy’s cheek, then wondered if that was safe. I turned to Jessie. “Am I going to set off your alpha side if I kiss him?”
She studied me, then shook her head.
I smiled and brushed my lips across Randy’s cheek, then I continued to the fridge to retrieve the sausage and biscuits.
“How many eggs for the kids?” I asked as I turned on the oven to preheat.
“Make three, and I’ll plate for them,” she replied.
“Ok. How many for you?”
“Two.”
“Two for you Randy?”
“Yes, please,” he replied.
I gathered eggs from Randy’s keep basket and took them to the sink to wash as he spoke to his sister.
“Why are you here?” he asked. “Aren’t you supposed to be preparing for the party this afternoon?”
She sighed. “Mom and Papa had barely made it through the door when the kids got excited. They and Yazzy’s mama couldn’t do anything without one of them underfoot. We’d tell them to stop and go play, but you know how they are. They’d go play for a few minutes, then want to know what was going on again. I decided getting them out of the house and out of the way was the best idea. I was hoping you’d watch them and just bring them when you came in… but…”
I didn’t need to be facing her to understand that she was trying to decide if she wanted to leave her kids with Randy and I. Specifically me.
I racked my brain. Was there some middle ground I could offer where she’d feel safe with me around until she got to know me?
Unfortunately, I didn’t know of anything open early enough on a Saturday morning.
“We could take them to the park or something,” I offered.
It was public, if nothing else.
A low growl let me know that she wasn’t fond of the idea. At least it wasn’t threatening.
“Sorry,” I replied. “I’ll mind my own business.”
Their voices quieted, but I could still get a flavor of the conversation from the tones. She wasn’t angry, but she was short and demanding. Randy alternated between annoyed and defensive.
The meal came together quickly, and I decided I had to interrupt their discussion when I was ready to pour the eggs into the pan.
“Sorry,” I said, turning to the table. “I’m about to drop the eggs. Do you want the kids to wash their hands or anything before we eat? It’ll only be a minute or two.”
She studied me for several seconds before nodding. “Thanks.” Then her eyes narrowed. “Put on some clothes, though.”
I looked down and chuckled. “Sure thing.”
