While I’m happy to know he has a friend to play with, I wish he’d return so I might know what the kiss meant. The afternoon wears on, and I keep myself busy by going through the remaining boxes. Each slip of paper is a reminder of Hayes. I smell his cologne at times. Smell his cigars too. His presence remains in the office, making me miss him even more. By the time I pick up the kids, I’m relieved to have their company. “Crappy day?” I ask when they slide into the SUV. “My teacher is an idiot,” Cricket announces, having kept her mouth shut all day. “She only pays attention to two brats and ignores the rest of us.” “That’s probably why they act like brats,” I say, heading home on the quiet, tree-lined streets. “How about you, Chipper?” “Some boys said I can’t be in their group because I don’t have a dad. I told them I didn’t want to be in their group because they’re lame. I said they should ask their dads how to be cooler.” Laughing, I relish how much the kids mimic me rather than Toby.
