"So pretty."Ira reaches out and almost touches the photo with the four wolves.
Zahrah smiles."It's part of the pack."
Pack.I glance at Boris, not sure why the word makes me uneasy.
* * * *
Chapter 13
Boris
I'm not sure, but I think Simon is avoiding me.Saturday was great, but yesterday I didn't see him at all.I watched the house the entire day, but unless they snuck out through the back door, I don't think they left it.Though they must have, because I went knocking and no one opened.I couldn't hear a single sound from within, and one person might have fooled me, maybe, but not two.Especially not when one of them is a child.
I saw them this morning, hurrying out into the car at the normal time.Monday morning.I wanted to run over there, wanted to hug Simon and tell him whatever happens today, things will be fine, but I didn't.He was pale and his motions jerky.I don't think my rushing over there would've helped the situation.
I go to the garage and pretend to tinker with my bike, but other than tightening a few bolts, I do nothing.I watch the house and wait.
And wait.
And wait.
Should I cook something?
If Simon has a bad day, he most likely won't want to cook when he gets back.
I'm in the middle of mentally going through what I have in my fridge and freezer when Simon's car comes rolling down the street.Fuck, it's not even lunch yet.
I'm moving before I can consider if he'll want to see me or not.The moment his car stops in his driveway, I yank open the passenger door, pull out Ira's booster seat, and put it on the ground before climbing in and closing the door.
He stares at me but doesn't say a word.
"You're home."
He flinches, but the next moment tears fill his eyes.
"Oh, baby."I pull him into my arms across the center console.It's not comfortable, but I don't care.I hug him tightly and rub his back."What did they say?"
He swallows, then untangles himself from my embrace.Tears are still brimming in his eyes but not trickling over."They...eh..."He clears his throat."Called us in one by one.Immediate termination."
I nod, not sure what he needs to hear right now.
"I've worked there for six years.Five fucking days a week."
I take his hand in mine and caress him with my thumb."It'll be okay."
He shakes his head.
"Yes, it will."
"Most men my age has a career, a plan, a destination.I have nothing."
"Hey, not true.Not everyone wants a career, some people simply want a job that pays enough for them to cover their bills.It's okay not to want to make partner in some firm or whatever it is you're picturing."
He gives me a crooked smile."It's what I always thought I'd do."He shakes his head."Children never featured in my plan.I imagined I'd find a good job and climb from there, have a nice apartment in a city, and go on vacations to Paris or whatnot.Then Irene got sick, and I..."He looks straight into my eyes."I love Ira.I'd die for Ira, but this is not how I pictured my life."
I nod."It's okay.Plans, goals, dreams, they all change.We adjust."
He presses his lips together, and I want to beg him to stop.It looks painful."We grew up religious."
