Sage
We sat at Preston’s breakfast nook. He told me it was his favorite place on Earth aside from his bedroom if he was with someone special. He had winked when he said the word special and I decided he meant me.
The sunlight through the shiny, paned windows was like honey and gold today. Preston had his laptop open but he wasn’t looking at it. He was gazing out the window, his eyes all sort of misty and lost. I had cereal in front of me. I was hungry, but hungry for something else that wasn’t food.
This morning had been like a dream. A fantasy fairy tale sex scene where the foreplay had been an incredible bath complete with toys. Extraordinary.
I wanted my daddy again. My body itched with desire. I couldn’t stop the feeling even as I took another spoonful of Cheerios. It was sweet and the milk cold, but I could barely taste it. Every part of me was honed in, focused on the fire in my belly that wouldn’t go out.
While all that was happening, my mouth opened and out poured the most mundane words.
“I have to go to work today.”
Preston’s gaze shifted toward me, still slightly glazed. “When?”
“Six to midnight.”
He glanced away. “All right.”
I gulped, looking down at my bowl. “I want to call in sick. I have tomorrow off….” Was I asking too much? He hadn’t invited me to stay. Hadn’t even hinted. But if he might even begin to pout, was that what I was seeing on his face?
When he raised his head, a small bit of light danced in his eyes. “Don’t you need to work, though?”
I nodded. “I’m only part-time. I don’t have sick leave. But it’s okay for one night.”
“You’re a student. I wouldn’t want you to have to sacrifice that.”
“I have a full scholarship, though.” I put it out there, waiting to see his reaction.
He hesitated, then said softly, “Smart boy.”
I couldn’t help but puff out my chest. Praise, again. “I took two years off after high school before going to college. That’s why I haven’t graduated yet.”
“You already told me but I never questioned that.” His voice sounded distant. Distracted.
“I wanted to be sure you remembered.”
With an unexpected gesture, he reached across the table and put his fingers against my left cheek. “I want you to stay.”
I leaned into his touch. “Me, too.”
“But not if it means any hardship to you.” His eyebrows raised. “I have an idea.”
“What?”
His forefinger caressed my cheek. “You go home, get some studying done and do whatever you need to do. Then come here after work.”
“After midnight?”
Preston shrugged. “Why not?”
“But won’t you be asleep?”
He smiled softly. “Not if I know you’re coming back.”
“I want to. Yes. I’ll come back here after work.”
“Good. It’s settled. And then we can spend the day together tomorrow. Okay?”
