Chapter Eighteen: Bitter Apples:

After cleaning, Nancy and I sat on the couch. I didn’t want to admit it but this was nice. She was just trying to keep everything together. Nancy could be a pain but there was a reason for that. She rested her head on my shoulder.

“Hey,” I said. She didn’t move. I might as well leave her. She’s taken over everything else. I don’t know how that happened.

“What happens now?” I asked.

“I don’t know,” Nancy said. Wow, that’s a first. Looks like boss lady doesn’t have all of the answers.

“Heh,” I said. I never had any needs for plans. I just live one day in the moment. What else could I do? I was alone until now. I was doing fine too. Okay, there was Marshmallow. He didn’t do anything wrong. He’s just a puppy after all. Speaking of which, where is he now?

“Hey, did you see where Marshmallow went?” I asked.

“No,” Nancy said. “I don’t think he got far though.”

“Why do you think that?” I asked.

“Well, there aren’t many places for him to go, are there?” she asked. I thought about that for a moment.

“Good point,” I said.

“Is this what you do?” Nancy asked.

“Huh?” I asked. She looked up at me.

“What do you do for fun?” she asked. I shrugged.

“I don’t know,” I said. “Just computer stuff.”

“That’s it?” Nancy asked.

“What else is there to do?” I asked. “I’m just here in an empty neighbourhood.”

“Fair enough,” she said.

“What? Are you going to plan our breaks too?” I asked. Nancy shook her head. I stared at her for a moment. She settled back into place on my shoulder.

“Can I stay like this for a while?” she asked. I started to say something but nothing came out.

“Um… Okay…” I said.

“Cheers,” she said. I looked out in my living room. What the hell was this? I should’ve pushed her off but I didn’t. It actually felt… kind of nice. Could more evenings be like this? Part of me hoped so. Then I frowned to myself. But what does that make us? I mean, we’re not dating. She and her daughter have been here for a few weeks. Nancy already has a partner too. They are together but not. He might come back for her. But what if he didn’t?

I reached up and rubbed my forehead. I’m thinking too much here. I just need to shut my brain up and enjoy the moment. I closed my eyes and took a breath. Right….

“Mommy!” Ava wailed. Nancy lifted her head.

“Duty calls,” she said with a sigh. She braced herself to get up.

“One… Two… Three!” Nancy said. She slowly pushed herself to her feet.

“Coming, darling!” she shouted. I lifted my head.

“Wait!” I said. Nancy paused and looked over at me. I shifted in place.

“Are you going to come back to the couch?” I asked. She gave me a little smile.

“Sure,” Nancy said. I tried not to look overjoyed. I cleared my throat.

“Cool,” I said. She turned and walked down the hall. I sat back on the couch and put my hands over my head. What’s come over me? I don’t know but I’m okay with it.