“We’re making a mess here,” I said after he had brought in the food and set up plates on the bed. He threw off his robe and sat next to me, putting pillows behind our backs. I didn’t think I would have any appetite, but, maybe because of our lovemaking, I was suddenly ravenous. He laughed at how fast and how much I was eating.
“I had better watch my fingers,” he joked.
I paused, recalling Ava’s description of Mrs. Fennel when she ate. “Watching her eat is like watching a starving dog eat,” she had said. Just a suggestion that I would be anything like Mrs. Fennel was enough to ruin my appetite. I pushed the plate away.
“Hey, I didn’t mean to stop you.”
“I’ve had enough,” I said. “I’ll help you clean up.”
“No, you won’t. I invited you. You just stay here, comfortably.” He rose and began gathering things. He saw me glance at the clock. “We’re fine. Don’t worry. We have plenty of time,” he said.
“Okay.”
Let him cherish and enjoy every moment, I thought. Maybe I would feel less guilty. I tried not to think of it. Instead, I imagined what life was going to be like in a new home, in a new place, and with a new baby sister as well. Like Marla, I had no loyalty or affection for the school we were in now. I didn’t mind moving away, but I also had no illusions about what would await us somewhere else. Close friendships with other girls would always be forbidden. Most likely, I wouldn’t be going to school much longer, if at all, anyway. Daddy might find something for me to do in Louisiana until it was time for Marla to take my place. Maybe he’d send me to college as he had sent Ava.
Buddy hurried back and dove onto the bed. The whole frame strained.
“Buddy, you’ll break it.”
“Unc would understand,” he said.
“Understand? Why? Did you tell him about me?”
“No. I haven’t told anyone about you.”
“Really? Why not?”
“Superstitious.”
“What’s that mean?”
“My grandmother lived with us when I was just a little boy. She always warned me, warned everyone, not to be too proud and not to brag about what you had; otherwise, the Evil Eye would find you and take whatever it was away from you. I can’t help it. I’m not shy or overly modest. I’m just… superstitious. Besides, most of my friends are idiots and wouldn’t understand how strong my feelings are for you. They’d mock me, tease me. Who needs it, right?”
“Yes.”
“What about you? Tell any of your friends about me?”
“No. I don’t really have any friends.”
He pulled his head back. “I can’t believe that. Not only do you have friends, but I’m sure you have a trail of boys sucking up your shadow.”
“I don’t,” I said.
“Why not?”
“Maybe I’ve outgrown them.”
“I’ll believe that more than anything else. It doesn’t matter,” he said after a moment of thought. “You have me. I’ll be not only your lover but your best friend, and I’ll fill every free moment of your time seven days a week, three hundred and sixty-five days a year.”
I laughed. “Not even married couples do that, Buddy.”
“We’re more than just any married couple could be. We’re… soul mates.”
I looked away. Ava was right. This wasn’t hard, but that didn’t make it any easier for me to do.
“So,” he said, lying on his back and putting his head on my lap, “tell me about your father. I’d like to know as much as I can about him before I meet him.”
“What do you want to know?”