“Like I said, they aren’t all like that. He’s not so terrible. If I want him to consider our gallery, though, I have to suck up to him, which, trust me, I donotlike to do.”
“Not a sucker, huh? I’ll take note of that.”
I dart a glare at him. “Gross.”
“What?” He puts his hands up in defense. “Oh! No, that’s not what I meant at all. You’re so dirty, Reese Turner.”
With the added wink I know he doesn’t mean a word he’s said. “Moving on…”
“You need to lighten up a bit, neighbor. Do you always take everything so seriously?”
“Not wanting to joke about fellatio doesnotmake me a prude.”
“Fellatio?” Jimmy takes a hold of his belly as he laughs. “I can’t. I can’t.” He’s laughing so hard he has actual tears coming from his eyes.
“How did construction become your thing?” I’m moving this conversation off of me and onto him.
“My dad. When I was a kid, we built and fixed things together all the time. All my friends played Little League on the weekends and I spent mine in the garage. When I was fifteen, he let me help him build the shed in our backyard. I loved every minute of it. Nothing makes me feel more alive than when I have a hammer in my hand. I can’t believe that was seventeen years ago.”
The way his face lights up when he speaks about his father and carpentry proves this. In the few moments he’s been talking about it, he’s completely come alive. I don’t mind this Jimmy. This is a Jimmy I can get on board with.
We talk about our families and places we’ve lived. Dinner lasts for at least an hour.
“Wow. We ate all of our lasagna.” I touch my hand to my belly, hoping I won’t feel bloated soon. Friend or enemy, I don’t want to feel or look like that in front of Jimmy.
“Are you a fan of scary movies?” Jimmy asks as he gets up from the table. He takes his plate and mine and places them in the sink.
“Depends on the movie. Why?”
“A Quiet Placeis on and I thought we could watch it.”
I thought we were just having dinner. Hanging out together afterward never crossed my mind. He’s allowing me to stay with him. I can’t very well refuse. I should work on my presentation for Alvin Hamilton, but relaxing and watching a movie does have its appeals.
“Sure. What about the dishes, though?”
He waves his hand at them. “They’ll still be there when the movie is done.”
“I like the way you think.” I follow him into the living room which currently serves as his bedroom. The chair is piled with his pillow, some blankets, and some other random items. The only open spot is the couch. I sit down before he does, claiming the right side. Kale hops right onto my lap.
“You know, I think my dog likes you better than me.”
I scratch behind Kale’s ear and he leans into it letting out a small groan. “That’s because I give great head scratches.”
Jimmy reaches out to pet Kale as he sits down directly next to me. Our knees are practically touching. “Well when you leave here to go back home, you may have to come visit him. I think he’ll miss you.”
“Just him? You won’t miss my sarcastic attitude?”
“Maybe a little.” He holds his thumb and index finger about a half inch apart from each other.
“Ha, ha. I doubt that.”
“Why? I kind of like having you around here. So does Kale.”
At the mention of his name, Kale stretches his neck and licks my chin.
Even though Jimmy is petting Kale, his eyes are focused on mine. I’m waiting for the gotcha moment, when he starts laughing hysterically at what he’s said.
The longer he stares at me, the more I think maybe he doesn’t drive me as crazy as I thought he did. Now that I’ve gotten to know him a little, maybe he isn’tsobad.
