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“Grown-up things.” I uncover his vision. It seems shielding his ears didn’t work.
“I’d hardly call thisgrown up,” the giant turns to me. His voice is dripping with animalistic intensity, igniting a fire in my belly. He’s a tall, thick slab of meat that blocks out the sun surrounding us. “More like schoolyard bullying.”
“I’dhardlycall you a bully,” I tease, instantly regretting my decision. This man saved me from an unsavory sort, I shouldn’t be making fun at his expense.
Instead of shifting his stern, murderous intent in my direction, a chuckle escapes his lips. Good, I didn't ruin his mood.
Tony’s head snaps towards the man, and his face lights up with a goofy, missing-toothed smile.
“Uncle Cain,” he squeals, fighting to free himself from my arms. He’s sprinting to the man before his feet touch the ground.
Cain? I couldn’t imagine a more fitting moniker for a monster of his exquisite proportions.
“Morning, little man,” Cain says. He tucks his hands under Tony’s arms and hoists him into the air. Tony laughs, and it’s the first sign of joy I’ve seen in him since I arrived.
They giggle and laugh while Cain puts Tony back down, tickling him the whole way. Tony fights with a warrior’s spirit, slapping at Cain’s hands and doing his best to break free.
“So, you’re taking care of this little menace?” Cain tousles Tony’s hair.
“I’m not a menace.” Tony crosses his arms over his chest with a humph. “My name isn't Dennis.”
The offhand comment rouses another chuckle from the giant. He has an endearing gleam in his golden-brown eyes. At first glance, Cain doesn’t strike me as the delicate sort. Every motion he makes draws the attention of everyone around, so to see even this subtle soft-heartedness with Tony has me fawning over him all the more.
I catch myself chewing my lower lip and have to actively tell myself to stop. I can’t have Cain catch me swooning over him at a funeral. What would he think? Probably that I’m some kind of loon, unfit to watch Tony, with no place here at all.
"Yup, I'm watching over the munchkin." I don't want to say anymore, or remind Tony of what's happening today. He's so happy, it's better to keep it this way.
“Then let me relieve you of your duties, if for a moment," Cain says. "Tony, how about you go see Uncle Joe? I hear he has a present for you.”
“A present? For what?” Tony’s brow furrows.
My eyes instinctively dart past Cain towards the group of suited men in the distance looking forJoe. I was given strict orders to not let Tony out of my sight until I meet his foster family, and though it’s not my place to get in Cain’s way, I’m uncomfortable disobeying my orders.
“Who needs a reason to get a present?” Cain asks. He turns to the crowd and shouts, “Joe.” Not a few seconds go by before a short, stout man darts towards us.
“Coming, boss,” he shouts, and repeats it twice more before he reaches Cain’s side.
That’s the second time he’s been referred to as boss since I got here. Cain has to be some kind of big wig around here to carry such respect.
“You mind taking Tony to get his gift?” While asking his question, Cain’s hands cup Tony’s ears so he can’t hear. “I have a box of chocolates in the pantry. Have Herman bring it to you with a bow wrapping it.”
Cain did a better job at deafening Tony than I ever could.
“I’ll get right on it,” Joe says. He extends a hand to Tony, and the pair walk off, talking about everything and nothing.
And now we’re alone. I shouldn't be this comfortable with a stranger, let alone one who took the child I'm supposed to be watching away. What the hell am I doing? I should run after Tony and Joe and make sure he's okay.
"He'll be safe," Cain says as if he can hear my panicked thoughts. "You don't have to worry."
"Worry? What makes you think I'm worried?" I ask, trying to play it cool.
"If you wring your hands any harder, you're going to give yourself a burn wound." Cain's eyes dart to my hands. I didn't even realize I was doing it.
"Tony's in good company. Joe's a good man," Cain adds to set my mind at ease.
What if this is a test and I'm about to fail? Why else would he be with me, when there are so many other things he could be doing? Am I holding him off from doing said important thing? I shouldn’t keep him, but I want to be lost in his presence for as long as he’ll allow me. Not the wisest way to spend my first day on the job.
Cain adjusts his pristine red tie around his neck. In nervous habit, I pat down the front of my dress. A moment of silence falls over us, but it doesn’t feel agonizing like my time spent wandering through this garden. It’s the comfortable silence of two old friends, two old lovers, embracing and enjoying the moment.
