“Good.”
He snuggled into me. I enjoyed every moment. After another few minutes, his eyes opened wider and he looked at me. “I’m Sage. I don’t usually do this.”
“Hi, Sage. I’m Preston.” I’d already introduced myself but wasn’t sure he remembered.
He nodded. He glanced about the room. “I think I should get up now.”
“Okay. But no rush. I enjoy just sitting with you.”
His smile curved shyly. “You’re nice. Thank you.”
“You’re welcome. Any time.” I meant it.
He made no move to stand.
I hugged him to me, then loosened my grip. He sighed again, then started to slide off my lap. Reluctantly, I let my arms fall to my sides.
He stumbled a little. I reached out to help steady him but my hands missed their mark as he moved away. He went to the rug where he’d been playing with blocks with his friend and sat. He stared at the blocks. His friend was on the other side of the roomsitting in a man’s lap and chatting away. He hadn’t noticed Sage get up.
I picked up my drink and took a sip. The ice had melted and I got mostly water.
At that moment, Charles walked in and headed straight for me, blocking my view of Sage.
“Still here, I see,” Charles said. “Not bored yet?”
“Nope.”
“Just checking up on you. When you decide to leave, text me. I think I’ll be staying late. I’ve got a date.”
“Good for you. Will do.”
I sat watching Sage for a while. The boy sat without moving, elbows on his knees. He was only in profile so I could not discern any emotions on his face. His body language told me a few things. One was he was no longer in baby mode, but older. He didn’t play. He sat. Was he thinking about our encounter?
As I observed, Sage rose and went to the side of the room where there were coat hooks. He took down a jacket and put it on. He was ready to leave.
I got up, thinking quickly. I reached for my wallet and pulled out my personal business card, then walked toward the coats where Sage stood.
He had a bib pocket in his pink overalls and I pressed the card into it and leaned down. “Just in case.”
I found myself flustered, barely able to get the words out. He looked up at me and his lips parted. I couldn’t bear any more. This was over. My night was done. I didn’t want anything else to spoil the pleasurable feelings running through my veins.
Not looking back, I walked through the door with the ballons painted on it and made my way through the crowd.
If Sage liked me, he’d call. If he was unsure, he wouldn’t. I couldn’t dwell on that. Simply, I needed to get home to a quiet place and let the evening play over and over in my head.
When I got outside, the night air filled my lungs with a chill of oncoming autumn. It was an industrial part of the city. Mist mixed with soot and oil. Faraway, engines revved.
I quickly headed to the parking garage to get to my car, fumbling with my fob. Once I was in my car, I texted Charles.
On my way home.Thanks for a fun time. I needed this.
Good to hear it.I’m staying on. Don’t worry.
Have fun.
Sometimes I worriedwhen I left a place like this without the person I’d come with. I teamed up with friends when I was younger so we’d have each other’s backs. But Charles had a car. He was a grown man. This was still his arena. It was me who was running. Was I running?
Sage had given me strong feelings I needed time to process. The word “daddy” repeated in my mind. Was I? Could I be? Was it something I even wanted?
