“There are only so many J names. I’ll figure it out.”
“I’m sure you will.”
“Jacob!”
“You know, you’re not guessing the R part of the equation.”
“Jacob Randolph,” I added quickly.
“God, I really hope that’s not my name,” he grunted.
“One of these days, I’ll say the right name, and you’ll be so shocked that you won’t be able to deny it. And when I do, I expect lots and lots of praise for my brilliance. Maybe a parade in my honor or a giant float that saysJosie is number one.”
“That’s what you would have on a float?”
“A balloon thingy, you know?”
“Still—”
“And when it’s all done, you can bow down at my feet and kiss my toes.”
“I can guarantee that’s one thing I’ll never do.”
“Understandable. Toes can be considered very unclean, but I would wash them first.”
“Well, if you’d wash them,” he said, rolling his eyes.
“And you’d have to give me swammies.”
“Do I even want to know?”
“Ten of them. No less.”
“This is ridiculous,” he said, getting to his feet.
“Not as ridiculous as Jaleel Renaldi!”
“I’m going home.”
He stalked his way to the door, snatching his coat.
“Jacques Ricardo!”
The door opened and a gust of wind blew in.
“Jefferson Rio!”
He didn’t even put his coat on before slamming the door behind him. I chuckled as I heard him yelling about the snow and the freezing wind. Rushing to the window, I blew my hot breath on the glass and used my finger to print Jerome Ripley. Then I knocked on the window to get his attention.
At his scowl, he started to yell something, but tripped in the snow and face-planted in a heap. Slapping a hand over my mouth, I tried desperately not to laugh, but the man had it coming.
I decided to slip away before I angered him any further while he was trying to make his escape. Snuggling back under my blanket, I went back to my crossword, chuckling every few minutes as I thought of more hilarious names for him.
“Jet Roderick,” I said to myself just before the door flew open.
JR stood there covered in snow. His pants were soaked to the knees, and his cheeks were a rosy red from just the few minutes he was outside.
“I forgot my chili.”
