“Sure does. For a lizard its size, it can pack away a crazy amount.”
“Do you make it a habit of rescuing those in need?”
“Fuck no,” I exclaimed, only to clamp my lips shut and glance at the toddler playing with some blocks, still being watched by Percy. “Sorry. Guess I’ll have to mind my language with the little one around.”
Nicky shook her head. “I would never ask you to change who you are because of me and Zaza. I doubt hearing a few cuss words will cause any harm. Besides, she doesn’t talk much.”
A few cuss words? I almost snorted. Fuck was my favorite verb, noun, and adjective. “Yeah, well, I can still try. I’d hate for her to leave here cursing like a leatherneck.”
“You’re American?” It seemed Nicky wanted to talk. Ugh.
“Yeah. And you’re…”
“Italian. Born and raised in Sicily.”
“Your English is good.”
“I took it as a second language in school and spent my summers working in tourist areas. Do you speak another tongue?”
“Not really, although because of my deployments around the world I know a few colorful terms in several dialects.”
She went still. “You are in the military?”
“Was.” And that was all I would say on it. While I’d excelled in my career, it left its scars both physically and mentally.
“You retired?”
“Had to. Got injured.” I tapped my bum leg proud I didn’t wince. I really either needed to medicate or hit the tub.
“I’m sorry to hear that.”
“Yeah, well, that experience helped me get into a second line of work.” I didn’t elucidate any further.
“Lucky. I never finished college,” she admitted softly.
“What were you studying?”
“Primary education. I wanted to be a teacher.”
“Maybe you can go back.”
“I doubt I can make that happen. With my lack of skills, my earning potential will be meager, and besides, I need to care for Zaza.”
A true asshole would have said something like “guess you should have thought about that before having a kid.” But again, I wasn’t the type to beat on someone because they’d taken a wrong turn in life. At least she didn’t seem selfish and was putting her kid above her own interests.
“Never too late to find a new career.” Look at me. From sniper scout deploying around the world on missions, to author whose most treacherous part of the day was navigating steps after a bender.
She turned from me and asked, “What are you doing now?”
Were we still small-talking?
“Freelance work.” Not entirely untrue. My books weren’t guaranteed income. Each required a new contract and advance.
“Mamma!” The baby clapped her hands and we both glanced to see an impressive tower of blocks.
“Zaza that’s magnificent,” Nicky congratulated before crooning to her child in Italian.
Percy shook its head, one block clutched in its claws. Wait, had the lizard stacked them? No way. That took fine-tuned motor skills, and why would a reptile build anyhow?
