Micah had perked up in Julian’s car and talked the whole first stretch of the drive. Every catch, the touchdown, what Coach Julian said about his hands getting better. Julian listened intently, giving him feedback and praise until Micah glowed. Then Micah’s voice cut out. I looked back and he was slumped against the seatbelt, passed out again.
“He always crashes like that,” I said. “Full speed until he just drops.”
Julian smiled. “He's a good kid. Smart, too. You're doing a good job with him.”
I smiled. Before I moved here, I couldn’t remember the last time someone told me I was doing something right. It seemed like Julian always found a way to compliment me. My hair, my legal skills, my athleticism, my resilience, now my parenting. It felt good.
We were stopped at a red light when the opening notes ofPretty Brown Eyesfilled the car, and I couldn’t help the smile that broke across my face.
“IloooveMint Condition,” I gushed. “I haven't heard this inforever.”
When Stokley's voice came in I sang along, softly at first. Then louder. By the chorus, I was fully committed, hand on my chest, hitting every run.
I caught him watching me out of the corner of his eye, and suddenly got embarrassed. “Sorry,” I said, pulling back. “That was?—”
“Don't apologize,” he cut me off. “I was enjoying the performance. Sing,” he said like a commandment.
So I did. I sang the rest of the song while Julian listened. By the time we reached our building, Micah was still dead to the world. Julian scooped him up, following me to the elevator and up to my floor.
“Couch is fine,” I whispered, getting the door.
He set Micah down and pulled the throw over him.
“Thank you,” I said.
“You don’t have to thank me.”
“You don’t have to help.” He didn’t have an answer for that.
Before I could think it through I stepped in and put my arms around him. He went still for a second, probably because hehadn’t seen it coming. Then his arms came around me, and he let out a breath. He pulled me in, solid and warm, his chin coming to rest just above my head.
Neither of us moved. The hug went past the length of a thank-you, past friendly. I could feel his heartbeat where my cheek pressed his chest, a little faster than steady. One of his hands moved once across my back, slowly.
I was the one who finally stepped back, and only because if I hadn't, I wasn't sure I would have. He didn't step back. He looked at me for a long moment, and the corner of his mouth lifted.
“Sorry,” I said, because the quiet was too much. “That was?—”
“You apologize too much.” He was still looking at me. “I needed that as much as you.”
Then the moment folded itself back up. At the door he paused. “Get some rest. I'll call you tomorrow about your car.”
“I’ll take care of it. But thank you for the ride. Goodnight, Julian.”
“Goodnight.”
13/
bulldozer
alyssa
I wokeup dreading my car situation, the inevitable calls to mechanics, the money for major repairs.
Around nine,the front desk called up telling me Lennox Falls Auto was asking for me. Confused, I went ahead and approved them to let them up. Soon, there was a knock at my door. A young guy in work coveralls stood there smiling. “Ms. Carter? Lennox Falls Auto. Got your keys.”
I blinked. “My keys?”
“Your Honda’s downstairs, good as new. Julian Wade had us tow it in last night, fix the starter and a few other issues. All set.”
