“Maybe twenty or thirty years.” A smirk worked its way onto his mouth. “But in instances like these, I’d plan for at least half a century.”
She rolled her eyes and sighed. “Makes a lobotomy sound appealing just about now.”
“I think one of these books has the instructions for such a procedure. Want me to help you out? I’m cheap.”
“As wonderful as that sounds, I think I’ll have to decline.” Her blue eyes sparkled with laughter. It was much better than the troubled expression she wore just minutes ago. “But thank you for the offer.”
He smiled at her, his sour mood evaporating at once. Michelle was still the same caring person he’d remembered. She knew how to laugh and when to take herself seriously. It was an admirable trait. He’d never admit it aloud, but he’d once had a crush on her himself. But that was ages ago, when they were only kids. A lot had changed since then.
“I guess I’d better get down to the party,” she said, slipping off her perch on the desk. “It won’t be long before my parents send out a search party.”
“You’d better do that.”
“Thanks for letting me share your hiding spot.”
He stepped aside to let her pass, her arm bumping against his and sending electricity shooting up and down his spine. It was the strangest feeling, unlike anything he’d felt before. But before he could analyze it any further, she jumped away from him, her hip ramming into the nearest bookshelf and causing several books to fall from their perches onto the ground.
“I’m such a klutz!” she cried.
“It’s fine.” He snorted at the mess. “It’s just my dad’s outdated Reader’s Digest collection. I think they’ll survive.”
She bent down to retrieve them, just as he was about to do the same. Their foreheads bonked and both of them fell back onto their rears, rubbing their heads. It took a long moment of staring blankly at each other until they both burst into laughter. Eventually, he pushed himself off the ground and offered her a hand. She took it, warmth cascading up his arm until she stood and released it.
“Any longer in this place and I think one of us is going to get killed.” She gazed at the books lying on the floor. “I’d offer to help you clean up, but I’m not really in the mood for another brain injury.”
“Don’t worry about it. I’ll get them later.” He waved away her concern. “No one but me comes in here anymore. Except for on tax day. Dad claims the room and the rest of us steer clear of his bad mood.”
“I’d have a bad mood on tax day, too.” She smiled sweetly. “Thanks for letting me spill my deepest, most embarrassing moment to you, Joseph. It feels good to get it off my chest.”
He gave her a thin lipped smile and nodded. It might not have been the afternoon activity of his choice, but at least she felt better. And as silly as it seemed, it felt good to be a sort of hero once again. He’d had a purpose today. These days, he couldn’t ask for much more than that. Leaving the military was supposedly what he’d wanted, but finding something to do afterwards had been harder than he thought it would be. He felt lost most days.
She was opening the door, about ready to step into the hallway, when she froze. Turning slowly on her heels, she looked at him with a crazy expression in her eyes.
“Can I ask you something?”
He nodded, wondering what could be going through her head at that moment to make her look that deranged.
“Does Garret really always fall for the girls you like?”
“Pretty much...” He shrugged. “I haven’t really dated anyone in a long time, not since my military career, but that’s how it was when we were in school.”
He wasn’t sure where she was going with this, but the excitement in her eyes only grew brighter.
“If you liked me, do you think Garret would follow the same pattern? Hypothetically speaking, if you and I spent time together, would he finally notice me?”
“What? No.” He recoiled from the idea, his mouth twisting in disgust. “That’s ridiculous.”
Her shoulders slumped and her face flushed bright red. With a sharp nod of her head, she turned back toward the door. “I’m sorry I said anything. You’re right, it’s stupid. Forget it.”
“Michelle, wait.”
Joseph chewed on the inside of his cheek, his mind whirling. Michelle’s idea wasn’t too bad. Maybe he’d spoken too soon. And wasn’t he just wishing he had a purpose again? A reason to do good in this world. If that meant helping someone like Michelle and his clueless brother, then he would embrace it.
Garret obviously couldn’t be trusted to find himself a girl as steady and sweet as Michelle. He always went for flaky and self-absorbed, even when Joseph tried to warn him away. But someone like Michelle could straighten him out. She already had feelings for him. All Garret needed was a push in the right direction.
“Are you planning on going to the carnival this evening?” he asked.
The town of Blessings threw a carnival every fall in the town square. It was a tradition with rides, greasy foods, and vendors from local businesses and artisans. A kind of kickoff to the Thanksgiving holiday. The schools even let out early to let kids attend. He hadn’t gone in years, but he could still taste the excitement he’d felt as a young kid in the days leading up to the event.