“You do. It goes all the way to your eyes, making the corners wrinkle slightly. It’s a beautiful rarity I’m afraid. I’m just glad I was here to see this wonder of nature.”
“Maggie?” When she turns back to look at me I continue, “I think you put it there today.” Her smile makes my heart skip a beat. “Thank you.”
“I’m glad,” she whispers.
Making dinner with Maggie is a hilarious affair full of laughter in her small kitchen. Since I’m not a small man, I have a tendency to run over her occasionally, hunting for ingredients. That’s what I’ll swear to if anyone asks anyway. In reality, I just like to feel her softness when it brushes against me. I have an erection all the time now anyway, an occasional touch can’t make it any harder.
We sit at her small table decorated with an autumn leaf print tablecloth to eat when it’s ready. We share stories about growing up. I make a mental note to give Lily hell about the dancing frog tattoo she got one drunk college night. Before I notice, I’ve eaten so much, I don’t think I can get up from the table.
“How about dessert and coffee on the front porch?”
“Sounds great, I’ll start the coffee,” I say, wondering if it’s even possible to fit anything else into my stomach. Maggie takes the cover off of a pumpkin pie. Oh hell yes! I’ll eat a piece if it kills me.
When the coffee is done, I pour two cups, doctoring hers the way she likes it before following Maggie to the porch swing. When she’s tucked a blanket over our legs, she hands me a piece of pie.
“So have you finished King yet?”
“I have a couple chapters left but I’ll get them done tonight. I found a copy ofThe Shiningat the bookstore before I left. I’m planning on reading it also. What’s next on my list?”
“What did you think ofThe Standfirst? Then we can discuss what’s next.”
“Interesting take on a dystopian society. I thought watching the disintegration of the country due to a pandemic was fascinating.”
“You’ll likeThe Shining. It's creepier.”
“Creepier than most of the population wiped out by weaponized influenza? Sure.”
She laughs. “Okay, maybe you’re right.” We sit in comfortable silence while I push the swing. “I like how long your legs are. Usually I just sit here hoping for a breeze to push me.”
“I’m glad I can be of use.” I’m trying to decide if unbuttoning my pants so my stomach can expand would look bad when she turns to face me.
“Colin, what exactly do you do?”
“What do you mean?”
“I mean, what do you do precisely at the law firm?”
“I mostly push paperwork around. We’re a corporate firm that represents large companies negotiating contracts, settling lawsuits, stuff like that.”
“Do you enjoy it?”
“My job? It pays well.”
“That doesn’t answer my question?” I have to think about it for a few minutes.
“Honestly? It’s not what I thought I would be doing when I started law school.”
“What did you think you’d be doing?” Nobody has ever asked me this before so I have to think about it for a few minutes. Maggie’s eyes never leave my face while I try to put my thoughts together.
“I guess I thought I would be helping people be heard. Making sure they weren’t taken advantage of or cheated. Sweeping in to claim justice for the underdog or some romantic shit like that. Something that doesn’t slowly suck my soul out.” I can’t believe I just said that. I don’t even admit that to myself anymore.
“So like what you did today. You were on fire.” I laugh but I can’t deny that she's right. Today was amazing. I actually feel like I can help those people, even if it’s just making some calls.
“Maybe. I don’t know. It was just a stupid idea of an idealistic kid. Sometimes reality has to be different.” Maggie must feel how uncomfortable I am about it because she changes the subject.
“Do you like living in Kansas City?”
“I do. There’s a great nightlife, the arts scene is strong and you can’t beat the food. Have you ever been?”
