Page 5 of Gator
She rolled her eyes before she turned and pulled open the front door. “You’re perpetually single, and it’s the weekend. Of course you have some place to be.”
“None of that from you, Lissy bug. You were no better before Charlie.”
“Why, Harlan, I don’t know what you’re talking about.” She looked back over her shoulder and winked.
I picked Ann Marie back up and took Robin’s hand and followed her into the kitchen. As soon as we got in the room, Ann Marie plopped a kiss on my lips and then said, “Down,” before starting the wiggle. I let her slide to the floor, and then she took off around the corner, Robin right behind her.
“Well, okay then. They usually stick around at least long enough to find out if I brought them anything.”
Lissy grinned at me. “They’ll be back. They probably went to find the kitten Charlie brought home last week. I swear that man has the softest heart. All the girls had to do was give him that look, and he melted like butter on a stack of pancakes.”
I laughed and shook my head. “Don’t you be talking like he ain’t the same way with you, little girl.”
“I’m not a little girl.” She handed me a glass of tea and then motioned for me to take a seat at the bar. “So, anything exciting going on?”
“Nothing that compares to getting a new kitten. Maybe I should get one. I don’t have any animals because I’m gone so much, but I bet Mika would take care of one for me when I’m gone.”
She’d come to visit a couple of months ago, and she and Mika had gotten on like a house on fire. I think they’d even met up for coffee here in Austin one time when he and Hawk had come for the weekend.
“You always loved the cats that lived around mee-maw’s house, so you should get one, and I bet you’re right. Mika would be happy to do that. He loves that dog of his.”
“He does. Why just the other day—”
“Here, Uncle Harlan,” Robin said, rounding the corner and holding a poor little kitten out in front of her. Its lower body was swinging, and its eyes were wide. She thrust it out towards me, wanting me to take the cute little ball of fur.
“Robin, Miss Priss is a living thing, not a toy,” Lissy said as I reached out and took the kitten.
“I was careful, Mommy. I didn’t drop her.” Robin said, while Ann Marie nodded her head vigorously.
I soothed the poor thing while I watched the exchange. Robin reminded me so much of Lissy when she was little.
“I know you were, but how would you like it if someone way bigger than you held you up in the air and let your legs dangle like that?”
Robin looked thoughtful for a moment, and then her eyes lit up. “I don’t know. Uncle Harlan is big… we should try it.”
“Sure thing, sweet pea,” I said.
At the same time, Lissy said, “Absolutely not.”
“Sorry, kiddo, we gotta follow Mom’s rules.” I handed the kitten back, making sure to tuck its little back paws in the crook of her arm. “But that’s one cute kitten.”
“Come on, Ann Marie, let’s go put her back in her window bed.” The two little girls took off back the way they’d come. I watched them go and then turned back to find Lissy watching me.
“You really should get a dog or a cat or something. It isn’t good for you to be all alone.”
“I’m not alone, Lissy. I live in a building full of people who don’t know the meaning of the word boundaries.”
“Hanging out with your employees down on the ninth floor isn’t the same as having company, Harlan.”
We’d had this argument more than once, but I knew she meant well. She was happy and in love and settled in the life she’d always wanted, and she just wanted the same for me and Marcel.
“It suits me just fine for now, but I think you’re probably right. I should get a pet of some kind. I’ll think on it.”
Chapter three
Julius
I pulled my car into the parking lot at Kirby’s and pulled down the visor to check my makeup and my hair. It was on point, of course, but I checked out of habit. Once I was sure I was good, I headed inside.