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Alex laughs. “I hadn’t thought of that.”
We sit in comfortable silence, and we eat the rest of our meal. When I finish, I wipe my hands and mouth and take a drink from the bottled water Alex brought. “I want to apologize for yesterday.”
“Yesterday?” he questions. I think it’s cute how he’s pretending not to remember. Very admirable of him to not embarrass me.
“I had every intention of coming to your game.”
“Oh yeah, that.”
“Truth is, I forgot. I didn’t realize the tickets you sent were for yesterday. Unfortunately, I’m so used to being home and immersed in whatever it is I’m working on that I space on things unless they’re on my calendar. Even then, I have to set multiple alarms to remind me of things I need to do. After the other night, particularly the goodbye kiss, I guess I forgot to put the game in my phone. I can come this Sunday though.”
Alex laughs and I love the sound of his husky voice reverberating through laughter. “We’re away this weekend, but maybe next weekend?”
“Oh, okay.” I don’t know why, but I feel let down.
“You can watch us on television, even though I know you’ve never watched a game in your life.”
“How would I do that?” Gosh, I feel like a boob not knowing the basics of how to watch his game on TV.
Alex reaches for my hand. “If it’s okay with you, I can come by on Friday and download the app for you and show you have to navigate to our game.”
“I feel like—”
“Someone who doesn’t watch sports,” he finishes for me. I’m grateful he interjected before I would have called myself something a lot more derogatory.
“I’d like that.”
Alex finishes his lunch, and then we clean up. “Would you like a tour?”
“I’d love one.” He follows me into our open-plan space. I formally introduce him to everyone and then finish at my workspace. “It’s empty.”
“What are you talking about? I have my laptop, a plant, my phone, and that stack of paper in the corner are the manuscripts or proposals I’ve read.”
“And those books?” Alex asks about the two-tiered shelf under my window.
“Those are the published books I’ve edited. I get a copy from the printer before they send a box to the author or bookstore.”
Alex goes to the shelf, picks one up, and thumbs through it. “This is incredibly cool.”
“Thanks. I like my job.”
“You really must love reading.”
I shrug. “I do, but I love helping create a world where a reader can get lost. Many people use reading as an escape from reality. It’s nice when you can get lost in a book.”
“Do you ever have time to read for pleasure?”
“I do. In between edits, I’ll read. What about you? From everything I’ve learned, you’re busy.”
Alex nods and sets the book back on the shelf. “Once the season is over, I’ll read a memoir or a self-help book.” He turns toward me. “I’ve been thinking. I was wondering if you’d be able to help me write a children’s book.”
“A children’s book?” I ask.
“Yeah. Something I can hand out at charity events or when I visit the children’s hospital. I want to write about football, but from a kid's point of view.”
He wants to write a children’s book. And give it to kids.
“Oh, Alex,” I say as my hand covers my heart. “I’d love to help you.”
