“The box is filled with poems?”
“No, whoever that was had just included one. It’s an array of different letters. Some from boys, some from girls. Mostly girls.”
The paper in my hand suddenly felt thin against my skin, which was so hot that it could’ve set it on fire. A poem. From…I read the signature again.Jacques.I reread the date. After she left for Paris. She wasn’t thatyoung.
“You like poems,” I said, though it sounded more like a question.
“Oh, me?” She shrugged. “Depends. But Ireallylove songs.”
Mmhm, I thought but said nothing. I’d written her a love song right after I almost lost her a second time.
I set the letter down on the table, placing another kiss on her head, before I opened the refrigerator. She eyed me suspiciously but said nothing.
Finding what I was looking for, I gave them a quick wash, setting both types in a bowl, sliding it toward her.
“Eat,” I said, and then turned for the stairs, but she held my arm.
“Where are you going?”
“Shower,” I said. “Then we eat dinner.”
Placing my lips against her neck, my nose against her skin, I traced every elegant bone with my tongue. Then, reaching out to the plate, I selected a dark purple grape, setting it between my teeth. I offered it to her and she took it, her tongue touching mine after she had finished her half.
“Non sarò a lungo,” I said, touching her cheek.I won’t be long.
She closed her eyes and nodded.
As I made my way up the stairs, I heard her move the bowl, silently accepting my offering.
* * *
If it wasn’t for Mia giving her away with a giggle, I would have never heard her creeping around my office.
After a stomach-expanding dinner, I had thanked and kissed the chef, my wife, playedmangiare le tue guance(eat your cheeks)with my daughter, and I even stole her nose before retiring to my office. I had something on my mind, and if I didn’t have some time to myself, the words wouldn’t flow.
In a hurry, I stuck the notepad and picture in my desk drawer.
“She busted me,” Scarlett said on a laugh. “I was creeping around like an eldritch stalker.”
Mia opened her mouth wide, giving me a huge smile, all teeth and scrunched up nose. She careened into the room like she was on a rocking boat, holding each one of her mamma’s fingers in her hands as one foot went in front of the other.
She wanted to run before she could walk. When she couldn’t, frustration took over and she usually ended up in tears. After some mashed pear, though, she was in good spirits. I could smell it on her; it was one of her favorites.
Ruby came in right behind them, sniffing around before she made herself comfortable. Jet sauntered past the door. After a small staycation with Tito and Lola, she was glad to be home again, but after making sure no one had fish to offer her royal feline highness, she flicked her tail in our direction and kept moving.
“What are you doing in here?” As curious as ever, Scarlett opened her eyes wide, eyebrows going up, looking over my desk.
Not giving in to my wife’s nosy nature, I scooped Mia up, lifting her high in the air before I brought her cheeks down to my lips, giving her more kisses. Then I stuck her nose back on. She was more interested in a marble paperweight on the desk, though, than the game.
“Dhat,” she said, her voice high-pitched, using her pointer finger to touch it. She picked it up, babbling to it.
I fixed her hair, stroking it to one side, enjoying the texture of it against my hand.
“You usually spend your evenings with us,” Scarlett said, walking around the office. Picking up this, putting it down, picking up that, repeat.
“Attività commerciale.” I waved a hand.
She picked up a replica of a Ferrari from the shelf, spinning its wheels, then gave me a sideways glance. “Business, ah?” After the wheels ceased spinning, she placed it down. “Personal or commercial?”
