“Okay.Can I have your phone now?”He held a hand out expectantly.
“How about you sit with your books while I talk to Mr.Johnson.I might need to make some notes on the phone.”
He twisted up his mouth.Was he going to have a tantrum?
“Okay.”He dropped onto the couch and grabbed a book out of his bag.He pulled up his legs, crossing them, and opened the book on his lap.
That was easy.I turned my attention back to Mia.She was close enough that I could smell—shampoo, maybe?Not perfume, but something clean.“Good morning.Thanks for coming.”
She raised a brow.Of course she came—this was her job.“Do you need something to eat?”
I hesitated.
Mia rolled her eyes.“Justin, you’re paying me to work for you.So, tell me what work you need.”
She was right.I turned to the kitchen and she followed.“A protein smoothie to start.”
Mia set down her purse on the table.“Tell me where everything is.”
It was awkward, giving Mia instructions.Like I was her supervisor.Except when I was on the ice, I didn’t tell people what to do.She didn’t react, following my directions like I was her employer, which I kinda was.She made the smoothie, and then, when I was too uncomfortable to pick something for breakfast, pulled out eggs.
“Make more, if you and your son want some.I’ve got lots of eggs, butter, cheese, bread…”
Her head was starting to shake a no when her son wandered in.“Eggs?”
I swear, the look on his face was like an orphan fromOliver TwistorAnnie.“Your mom is making some.Do you want any?”
He nodded before Mia could intercept him.
“Go ahead.”
She frowned but cracked more eggs into the bowl.And with a bit of urging, finally ate a piece of the toast she’d prepared after I brought out bread and tried to do it myself.
There were no eggs left in the pan when we were done.Arne had a healthy appetite.I wasn’t sure how old he was.Was he big or small compared to the other kids?Did he get enough to eat?Should I try to make sure I had food on hand for Mia to take home with her?My chin itched, and I reached to scratch it with my right hand.
Arne noticed the cast.“How did you hurt your hand?Did you fall out of a tree?”
I was tempted to smile, but held it in.“I hit someone.It was stupid.”
Mia’s lips tightened.Should I not have told the truth?Not like there wasn’t video out there showing exactly what I’d done.
“Why didn’t you talk to him first?”Arne asked, chin on hand as he waited for my answer.
“I told you it was stupid.I was stupid to do it.”
“I’m not allowed to say stupid.Did he get hurt?”
My lips twitched.“Not as much as me.”
Arne was still examining my cast, brain churning.“Did he hit you?”
“No.”Not physically.
“Did he call you names?”
“Arne!”Mia frowned at him.“It’s not polite to ask.”
Arne looked puzzled.“But the teacher always asks the kids in class that when they fight.”