Amber had turned down the donuts and the croissants and the fuck knows what else, mentioning macros and carbs. My sisters had laughed. Amber had taken offense and then Jodie and Lena had turned mean, or Amber thought they were mean, she just wasn’t used to taking any level of shit to her face.
“These are good. Are they from Heaven Bakery?” I watched as Sophie pretty much deep throated a pain au chocolate.
“No, Knicks Treats. Have you been there?” Lena spoke with her mouth almost full, something I knew she scolded her own children from doing.
Sophie shook her head, her mouth too full to move her jaw.
“You’re going to choke.” I looked at her and stepped a bit closer, concerned that she was probably going to choke.
She shook her head and responded with something muffled with food.
“I didn’t get a word of that.”
“She said you know she can take bigger things than that in her mouth,” Jodie translated.
“You’re making that up.” I glared at her.
Sophie shook her head and pointed at Jodie, giving her a thumbs up.
I looked to the heavens for help. “Shit. This isn’t a good idea.”
“Why’s that, Big Boy?” Sophie fluttered her eyelashes at me.
Lena and Jodie began to crucify themselves with laughter.
I decided to ignore them, have a sulk and make the coffee that no one had sorted. I walked into my kitchen area, hearing cat calls and whoops, with a comment about how I’dseen my arse and was grumpier than usualbefore they started talking as if I wasn’t there.
Coffee made, I retreated to my music room, plugged in my guitar, put on my headphones and made sense of the world through rhythm and lyrics.
* * *
It was mid-morning before Sophie slipped into my sanctuary, took my headphones off and told me she was heading to work. I heard my sisters still jabbering in the lounge and I debated ignoring them until they left, although the amount of shit they’d give me next time would only double if I did that.
“I’ll call you later,” she said. “I have many questions about tidiness and whether living with you will actually work given what I’ve heard today.”
I groaned. “You know you can’t believe anything they say. They’re both compulsive liars.”
“They told me you would have at least two chocolate bars under your mattress…”
“Care home kid! That’s how we survived. Or how I survived with those two. They were evil. You shouldn’t believe anything they say!” I wrapped my arms around her, me still sitting, her standing.
I hadn’t thought the action through and for a moment I second guessed myself. This wasn’t me. I wasn’t like this with women – with anyone. I didn’t give a shit if anyone left.
I didn’t think Sophie would leave though – she couldn’t. We had a deal.
The child inside me was anxious. Enough therapy had told me to pay attention. Enough experience had told me if I didn’t I’d fuck up.
I stood up, put my hands on her shoulders and kissed her, not deeply enough so we ended up having another session, just enough so she hopefully felt – something.
Her hands went round me. “I’ll call you later. I’m seeing Vic tonight and the rest of them about wedding stuff.”
“I’m seeing Gaz and Bear tonight.” I’d been neglecting my band mates. We’d all been neglecting each other and now it felt weird.
“Okay. Write me a song.” She kissed my cheek, letting her lips linger there.
I grabbed her boobs because I was still that teenaged boy.
* * *
