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As soon as my heart soared, I reminded myself it was reckless. I knew better than anyone how these things ended. In the end, I was never the man someone wanted. Women were looking for something I couldn’t offer. Over the years, my brothers had claimed women liked men who played hard to get, but I didn’t like games. I was an open book, someone who knew what he wanted—a woman to love him and eventually a family.
I ate, not really tasting anything, but said, “Good dinner, Natalie,” when I finished.
She flushed with pleasure. “Thank you.”
From her reaction, I suspected her husband either wasn’t present for mealtimes or didn’t give her the credit she deserved. I vowed to treat her better, to let her know when I appreciated her, and to remind her how she made me feel.
My vision went a little blurry when I realized how big of a risk I was taking. I was supposed to be protecting myself, not opening myself up for rejection. But I couldn’t change who I was at my core, no matter how much I’d tried. I just hoped my family would be there to pick up the pieces when it exploded in my face.
After dinner, Natalie told Delaney to finish her homework, so I volunteered to clean while they sat together at the table, going over some math problems. Every once in a while, Delaney let out a frustrated huff. “Why don’t you know how to do this?”
Natalie stood. “It’s different from how I learned. Let me see if your teacher sent any instructions.”
I squeezed Natalie’s shoulder as I moved past her. “Let me take a look.”
It was a math problem she had to solve, and she’d drawn a large box in the space provided for the answer. “What’s this for?”
Delaney showed me how she was supposed to use the box to show her work, and I immediately understood it. “This is easy peasy. Let’s reread the problem and fill it in as we go.”
Natalie sat across from us, watching as we slowly went through the problem.
When Delaney got the right answer, she moved on to the next one, doing it by herself. I just nodded my head in approval when she placed the numbers in the correct spot. When she was done, I said, “See? I told you it was easy.”
To my surprise, Delaney hopped into my lap and wrapped her arms around my neck. Her breath was hot on my cheek. “Thank you.”
Before I could say,“You’re welcome,” she’d slipped off again to carry her homework to her backpack.
“Thank you for doing that. I struggle with math, and she gets frustrated with me. I’m better at language arts.”
“I’m good with numbers. I don’t mind helping.”
Her shoulders lowered. “They do everything differently now. I’m useless to her.”
I was quick to disavow her of that notion. “You’re an amazing mother.”
“I appreciate the help.” She smiled and then sighed when she looked at the clock above the stove. “It’s time for her shower.”
“I need to get this baby home anyway.” Rocky had fallen asleep in a pile of Delaney’s jackets by the door.
“Can’t he stay with us?” Delaney asked when I picked up Rocky.
“He’s Mac’s dog,” Natalie reminded her gently.
Delaney’s face fell.
“You can come visit him anytime, and who knows, I might bring him to work with me.”
“You can’t do that. He might be scared of the noise or get hurt,” Natalie said.
“I’ll figure out something,” I said, opening the door to leave.
Natalie bit her lower lip as if she was working something out in her head. “Why don’t you bring him here? I can keep an eye on him while I’m working this week.”
This was what I was hoping for. “You’d do that?”
“Of course. Besides, I love the little guy already.” Natalie petted his head, and the puppy sleepily lifted his head to lick her hand.
“So, Rocky will be here when I get home from school?” Delaney asked excitedly.
