Page 34 of Beautiful Small Things

I pace for exactly twelve minutes until my phone dings, alerting me to a response.

Tinydancer: I don’t think that’s a good idea.

I bet you don’t. DaddyMac: Why not? We’ve been talking for a while now. I want to see you.

Tinydancer: That’s not how this works. We talk online and make each other feel good.

DaddyMac: So you don’t want to meet?

Tinydancer: No. I like the way things are.

How can I trick her into admitting she knows it’s me? DaddyMac: Are you married?

Tinydancer: NO

DaddyMac: Please tell me you’re over 18. You have to be an adult to use this app.

Tinydancer: Stop it. Of course, I am.

DaddyMac: Maybe I’m just too old for you.

Tinydancer: You’re not that much older than me.

DaddyMac: How do you know?

Tinydancer: 7 years is nothing.

There it is. There it fucking is. I got you, you sexy little trickster. She knows who I am. Dammit. What am I going to do?

Tinydancer: Are you still there?

DaddyMac: Sorry, yes.

Tinydancer: Let’s just keep things this way. Fun. Unattached.

Daddymac: You’re right. This is better.

I log off without waiting for a response. I can hear Callan and Colby return home from whatever rainbow they were sliding down in their fever-dream of love, and I decide to do some reconnaissance.

“Hey, Guys. What’s up?” I ask, sliding onto the couch next to them.

“Not much, Man,” Callan responds. “Don’t you usually have a study group on Wednesdays?”

“Yeah, we got done early tonight. Everyone was tired.”

“Good,” Colby replies. “You study so hard. You deserve a break.”

“Thanks, Sweetie,” I tell her. “Speaking of a break, we should go on a trip sometime soon.”

“Yeah, that would be great,” Colby answers, a bit confused by my change of subject.

“What about your sister? Would she want to come?” My words are coming out too rapidly. I’m going to blow it.

“Maybe,” Colby answers with a smile. “Remember she didn’t feel well and had to cancel last time, so maybe we can get something figured out.”

I remember. “Does she still live in that apartment on Laurel Lane?”

“Yeah. Why?” Colby asks.