Waiting For You

“No,” I rasped.

“Did someone touch you? Abuse you, emotionally or otherwise?” Iron lined her tone, the tiger ready to battle for me. In a way, she’d become almost like a mom to me—a real loving mom.

“Like I said… I’m fine.” I had no place to complain about anything when surrounded by women and children who’d experienced atrocities I didn’t want to think about.

“I’m here to talk if you need it.”

“Free therapy? Don’t let the word get out,” I teased. It was a defense mechanism, at best, and we both knew it.

She bumped my shoulder with hers.

“Smartass,” she muttered under her breath.

“Ah, but ya love me.”

She rolled her eyes, and we finished up, taking the second round of snacks out front. I was lucky to have these people. Lucky that I’d found my place to help the world…in a tiny way.

I wondered what Reba would think of it. My thoughts had drifted to her over and over today while I’d been working. The only time they hadn’t been on her was when I’d entertained the kids. My head kept drifting toward seeing her in a bathing suit, kissing her—tonight I fully intended to get my lips on hers.

I also ruminated about how I could talk her into going away with me to Chicago in a week and a half. I planned to go to a cosplay event there, but after seeing Reba’s bruises, I had started to second guess it. Unless I could get her to come with me. Tonight, I’d feel her out about costumes and I’d make sure she had two before the event. Anything to convince her to spend time away with me.

Any time away, really. If she didn’t want to cosplay, that was cool. We could go to the museums, shopping or even to whatever off-Broadway event was there.

Suddenly, getting Reba alone and having fun, letting her see a more playful part of me, had moved a couple notches up my list of priorities.

“What are you grinning about?” Monika asked as we headed back to the kitchen. “I’m sure it’s not that pile of dishes waiting in there.”

“Just thinking about my girl.”

She jerked to a stop. “A girl? Marshall Kennedy, I have got to be dreaming. I never thought I’d see the day.”

I laughed. “Nah, that would be me who might be dreaming. Because she’s perfect. And she likes me, too.”