She smiles at me, as if we’ve just shared a sweet victory.We’re brothers in arms—sistersin arms.Walking around the kitchen’s massive island, I head toward the coffee machine.
Don’t look.Don’t look.Don’t look.
The boxer briefs are black, to match the dusting of hair on his legs.I’ve seen men’s underwear ads in glossy magazines, and Mr.MacLaine fills out his briefs better than any male model I’ve ever seen.
I turn on the faucet to fill the coffee pot with water, feeling the heat spread all over my face and neck.I’m probably bright red.Again.I try to avert my eyes, but my eyes aren’t cooperating.They’re determined to look again, because Ihaveto be seeing things, surely.That can’t possibly be…
“Uh…” He mumbles.He turns off the burner and sprints around the island to the other side so his bottom half is no longer in view.“I lost my pants this morning.I mean, my brother Cal took my pants.”
“He took your pants,” I repeat, inserting a coffee filter and filling it up with a dark, fine grind.Because what else am I supposed to say?What kind of brother would take someone’s pants and not give him something else to wear?Even a robe or something, for crying out loud!
“Because he was naked,” my new boss says.“See, we kidnapped him, and he was standing there in the dirt right in the middle of snake country, so he needed pants.He’s leaving for his honeymoon today, so…”
I power on the coffeemaker, turn from the countertop, and smile politely.
He looks down at himself.“I guess I need pants, too.You know what?I’m going to get dressed and then I’m going to leave because I have work to do.”
“I have work to do, too,” I say, glancing at the mess he’s made.“I’ll get the house ship-shape by the time you get back.”
He nods absentmindedly.
“Come on, Jasmine.You can spend the day with Aunt Phyllis,” he says.
“I want to stay with Emma!”
“Go upstairs and get your stuff, please.”
It sounds like a command.His tone of voice leaves no room for discussion, and Jasmine does what she’s told.
And yet he’s not being mean.The way he spoke was firm but loving.I’m not sure I’ve ever heard a dad talk to his kid like that.
When Jasmine leaves, I decide to tackle the dishes, but Mr.MacLaine doesn’t move.I know he’s going to dothe talkwith me.I don’t know what exactly he’s going to say, but I know it’sthe talk.I’ve had too many jobs not to recognize a boss who’s having second thoughts about hiring me.
“I don’t want you alone with Jasmine until the background check is done,” he says.
I nod, not looking at him.I’ve never had a background check before, but I pretend I’m cool with it and it happens every day.
“And I wrote up some rules.”
I turn around to see him open a drawer and pull out some papers that have been typed up and stapled together.He hands them to me across the kitchen island counter, careful not to give me an eyeful again.
The list is long.There are so many rules that I’ll never remember them all.I may have to separate the pages and tape them to the front of the refrigerator to keep track.
I do a quick scan of the numbered items and notice stuff about not touching things and not opening drawers.It’ll be kind of hard to put away the clean silverware and folded clothes without opening drawers, but sure,you’re the boss.
I agree to the rules.I know that as soon as he sees the quality of my work, he’ll loosen up.I’m used to bad bosses.I’ve had a lot of them.
“Okay, then,” he says, but he doesn’t move.The coffee machine starts to gurgle and spurt, breaking through the silence.
I glance up to see his face shadowed with worry.I know his wife died many years ago, but this looks like a man who’s carrying around a lot of hurt and pain that’s still fresh.“It’ll be okay, Mr.MacLaine.”
Did I really just say that to my boss?I did.I said it because I think he needs to hear it.
“It’ll be okay,” he repeats.
We lock eyes.I stand straighter.My face goes hot again, and my body follows.As we stare at each other from opposite sides of the island, I feel a sudden rush of energy coming off of him.And that’s when the craziest thought lands with a thud in my brain.
I think my boss is going to kiss me.
