Unconventional

“What are you doing today?” I asked abruptly.

Her entire demeanor changed. The troubled look disappeared, as she pulled an errant lock of hair back over one ear. Then she smiled… and my whole world got brighter.

“Nothing much,” she said, trying to sound cheerful. “A couple of small errands, that’s all. Why?”

“Here,” I said, “take this.”

I handed her my measuring tape, and a thick piece of chalk. She juggled both items, totally confused.

“Wait, what is—”

“I’m conscripting you,” I said. “You’re my assistant today.”

She chuckled, turning the measuring tape over in her hand a few times. “I am?”

“Uh huh. Head on over to the courtyard,” I pointed. “Start at one end, and look for any paver or cobble that’s sticking up more than twelve millimeters. When you find one, put an ‘X’ on it with that chalk.”

Madison looked from one tool to the other, then up at me. “Millimeters?”

“I know, it was an adjustment for me too. Use half an inch, then. Same thing.”

“Alright,” she said, nodding definitively. “I can do that. But—”

“Madison, I’ve got mortar drying in the sun. If I don’t get back to the east wall—”

“Okay, okay…”

She turned to go, and I watched her leave. Tight blue jeans. A heart-shaped ass you could really sink your teeth into… or even better, something else.

“And yes,” I called after her. “In answer to your question.”

She turned around quickly, her ponytail whipping in a yellow blur. “What question?”

“Yes, I’ll sleep with you tonight.”

Her whole face brightened, even as it crossed with relief. She blew me a quick kiss over her shoulder, and bounced away swinging my measuring tape.

Damn she’s gorgeous.

Forty paces later I was back at the wall. Always — for two years now — the wall. It was a job, at least. A way to pay the bills, and save a little each month toward getting the family the hell out of the situation they were in.

And now…

Now it wasn’t even that. At least temporarily

. Maybe once the property was securely in Madison’s hands for good, she’d find a way to compensate. But for the moment at least…

My phone buzzed, and I swiped the answer button. A gap-toothed face appeared on the screen, covered in freckles.

“Hey kiddo.”

Jenna’s auburn hair was in two tight braids today. Probably hastily woven by Ariana, before leaving for her tutor.

“Hiiii Juuuulian!”

My sister’s sing-song voice was loud and clear, even from half a world away. She was making a face into the phone’s camera. Stretching her mouth with two fingers, and sticking her tongue out.

“I saw that one already,” I quipped. “You need some new material.”