"Then it's a good thing, right?You'll finally be free."
I do some more staring, then I look at Ira, who's shoveling in food as if he's never been fed before.I guess he's never been fed anything as good as this.I do okay in the kitchen, but this is magical.
"It's not good.I'll have to find a new job, and in this economy, and this close to the holidays."I take a breath and slowly lower my fork."I have bills to pay."
A small crease forms between Boris' brows."You'll find something.I'm sure."
I grimace.Maybe I'll be able to find something after the holidays, if I'm lucky, but December is coming up, and no one hires around Christmas and New Year.And I'm a forty-two-year-old single parent.It often takes the interviewer, if I manage to get as far as getting an interview, ages to realize what it means.Despite telling them I'm a single parent, they believe there will be a woman sweeping in and taking care of Ira.As if I'm unable to care for my kid.Weirder still are the ones who praise me and tell me how amazing it is that I've chosen to look after him myself.Idiots.
Having Ira in my life has been an eye-opener for some aspects of the patriarchy.I know I'm privileged compared to many single moms, but the societal expectations are exhausting.
"Hey."I jump at Boris' soft voice."It'll be fine.Don't worry."
I look away.I don't want to worry Ira, but I don't see how it'll be fine.
Shit.
"Eat before it gets cold."Boris nods at my plate, and I do as he says.No use in wasting good food.
"So, Ira, how was school today?"Boris breaks off a piece of garlic bread and looks at Ira.
"Good."
I'm about to repeat what he said since there's no way Boris could've heard him, but he speaks before I can.
"That's great.I always liked the breaks best in school.What about you?"
Ira stares at him, and I find myself smiling.
"Art."He still speaks too low, but Boris must have super-hearing because he nods.
"Yeah, I guess I liked art too."
"Where did you go to school?"I jump in to save Ira."You're not from around here, are you?"I take another bite of the pasta.It truly is mind-blowingly good.
"Nah, I'm from Rutchester."
A shiver goes through me.It was in Rutchester we had the run-in with the wolf.It was the first week of the summer break, and since I can't afford any expensive trips, I'd Googled things we could do for free in the vicinity.I didn't want Ira to come back to school without having done anything during his time off.
I found a website about Rutchester Nature Preserve, about a hiking trail leading to a waterfall where you could look at rock carvings.We packed lunch and drove up there.
I guess I achieved my goal.Ira sure had something to tell his classmates about when he got back to school.Though I doubt he did.His teacher says he doesn't speak much, or at all.
I try to shake off the fear tickling the back of my neck and force myself to focus on Boris."Oh, is your family still there?"
He nods while chewing."Yeah, the whole pack."Then he winces."I mean...eh...yeah, my family is there and my closest friends."
I nod."Why did you leave?"I've only seen him leave his house a few times, and I've run into him at the grocery store on occasion, though I most often try to hide if I see him there.
He stares at me but says nothing.
"Was it for work?"
A slow shake of his head."Nah...though maybe it's time for me to get a job."
Time for him?
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