Page 10 of This Mate Thing

Chapter 5

Boris.

Abort.Abort.Abort.I need to steer the conversation in a different direction.I can't say I moved away from the pack--which from now on out is a forbidden word--to be close to him.

"So, Ira..."Eh, what to ask?"What were you showing Simon in the car?Was it something you've drawn?"

I remembered there'd been some papers.It was most likely why they'd remained in the car for so long.

Ira shakes his head.

"No?"

Another headshake.

Silence stretches, and I frantically cast around for something to say.Normally, I have no problem keeping a conversation going, or a monologue for that matter, but I need to impress Simon.

"Ira's class is selling cookies for fundraising.He was showing me the order form in the car."Simon sips on his water.

"Oooh, cookies.I like cookies.Whatcha selling?"

Simon's eyes widen."Oh, you don't have to..."

Yes, I do.I can see it in his eyes.They shine with a mix of relief and hope?Gratitude?Whatever it is, it stirs something in me.

"Tell you what, Ira.After we've eaten, you can run back home to get the paper, and I'll buy something.Everyone likes cookies, right?"Though I normally bake my own.

Ira's dark, bottomless eyes jump between me and Simon, then he nods.

Great!Finally, something I can do.

We finish the meal, and I might bask in the praise a little more than I should.Pasta is simple after all, but Simon thanks me over and over.

Maybe Zahrah is wrong, and he wants me to kiss him.Then I remember I'm supposed to learn things about Ira's mother.

The timing must be right.

I start clearing the table."Coffee?"I raise an eyebrow in question to Simon.

He glances at the clock."Ah...maybe a small cup."

"Ira, coffee?"

He blinks at me as if I've lost my mind."No, thank you."

Woohoo, a three-word statement.Never in my life did I think I'd come across a child this quiet.I smile at him."Why don't you go get the cookie thing?"

Simon pats his pockets and fishes out a keyring with several keys.He singles out one and holds it out to Ira."I put the papers on the kitchen table."

Ira grabs the key and scurries off.

"Thank you so much for the food and for the cookies.We don't have anyone nearby, so these kinds of activities are always hard on Ira."

This is my chance!"Where is his mother?"For a moment, I picture how I'll call Zahrah after this and tell her how smoothly I ferreted out all the information I need, then I notice Simon's expression, and I want to shoot myself.He looks heartbroken.

Fuck, maybe they had a bad breakup.I've only lived here for two months.Maybe she moved out at about the same time, and it's still a bleeding wound.I'll be his Band-Aid, but I never meant to poke him where he hurt the most.

"She passed away when Ira was about six months old."