Page 76 of Heart

“Yeah,” he said. “It is, Mikey. ItisOK.”

Chapter 19

“Custard launcher?”

“I don’t know why you’re surprised. I’m a chef, remember?”

“It’s still pretty fucking funny.”

“Well, I’m glad I could entertain you... in multiple ways. I’m also glad May wasn’t around to hear it. God knows, she’d never let me live it down.”

They were eating leftover pizza in the kitchen. George was in his pajama bottoms, barefoot, warming slices up on the stovetop griddle. Mikey was in his boxers, sitting on a stool at the counter across from him.

“Thanks, George.”

“Thank you. I haven’t had sex like that in a long time. You just needed a little bit of a confidence booster. It’ll get even better. You’ll see.”

“I’ve been dealing with it most of my life. It’s embarrassing.”

George pointed at his head. “That’s up here. Don’t let it be. I get that there’s a stigma attached... some ridiculous notion from adolescence, maybe. Kids are cruel. But, personally, I enjoy knowing you have a super-sensitive meat thermometer.”

Mikey chuckled.

“Here. Eat this.”

George tossed a piece of pizza on Mikey’s plate with a spatula, then turned back to the stove for another.

He took a big bite of the slice. “Mm, this is good.”

“Yeah, it is. We, the Pizza. Spike Mendelsohn’s place.”

Mikey’s brow furrowed.

George dismissed the look with a wave. “He was onTop Chef. You ever watch that?”

Mikey shook his head. “No. My ma and my sister watch a lot of those competition shows. I used to watch the singing ones, but I got tired of them.”

“Yeah, me too. I tried to get onTop Chef, but I didn’t make the cut.”

“Well, they’re idiots. You’re a fantastic cook, George. You even warm pizza up better than me.”

George mussed Mikey’s hair. “You’re easy to please. You’re always happy and it makes me happy. No more secrets, though. From now on, all cards on the table.”

“I could never lie to you, George.”

“I know. Nor me with you.”

Mikey set his pizza slice down. “But there is something else I haven’t told you.”

“Is it your family again?”

“No, it’s not them. Remember telling me it didn’t matter if I was a mailman, that it was a legit job and I shouldn’t worry about you being a chef.”

“That I’m not out of your class. Yeah, I do. Level playing field, Mikey, remember? Inandout of the bedroom.”

Mikey nodded. “Yeah, well, before we had that conversation, I applied for a job.”

George did not see this coming at all. “Wait, a minute. I thought you were happy being a mailman. And isn’t that kind of a commitment... as far as pension and stuff?”