Page 72 of This Mate Thing

I purse my lips."Depends on my expenses."

"Yes, of course, but as it is now.How long before you have to find a job?"

I shrug."I'm good."

"Good?For how long?"

I indicate a turn onto Amber Row, not expecting to find a place to park along the street, but hope is the last thing to die.There is none, of course, so I turned toward the parking garage near the train station.

"Boris?"

"Huh?"I glance at Simon.

"How long before you need to get a job, living in the house you do now?"

Oh."I don't need one.We get paid from the pack every month, and I bought the house fair and square."Or the previous owner might not have called it fair and square, but Simon doesn't need to know."No mortgage."

"No mortgage?"

"Nope."I drive into the parking garage and spot a vacant parking space almost straight away.When I've parked, I turn to look at him.He has a wrinkle between his brows and looks confused.

"What has you thinking so hard?"

He shakes his head.Should I push or not?"Simon?"

"I know you said you didn't feel like getting a job when you moved here, but...you're serious?You only work when you feel like it?"

I grin at him."The pack covers the basics.If I want to take you to Hawaii or on a trip to Disney World, I'll need to pick up a few shifts at a restaurant.I'd rather be at home and spend time with you, though.Pick up Ira after school, do things with him, instead of rushing off to a job."

His nod is slow.

"Come on.Let's go eat.We have time before we need to pick Ira up, right?"I glance at the clock.It's only eleven.Maybe they're not open yet.

"Yeah, he finishes at two today."

"Perfect."We get out and lock the car."Do you know if he has any homework today?"

"Not sure.He had some math he did this morning over breakfast."

"You're fine with me stealing him for a couple of hours?"

He nods, and I take his hand as we walk out on the sidewalk.At first, he looks like he wants to pull away, then he shrugs and allows me to hold him.Score!

* * * *

We wave at Simon as we drive off.Ira is grinning widely, as am I.

"Okay, I figured we'd go to the mall.They should have most of the things he listed in his Santa letter.Maybe all of them."I turn toward the city for the second time today.

"Okay."

"Do you think we should get him slime too, just in case?"

Ira rolls his eyes."Dad doesn't like slime."

"What?Why?Who doesn't like slime?"

Ira only shakes his head, and I laugh."You know what?We should get a Christmas tree while we're out and about."