Look the Part

by Jewel E. Ann

“And she’s seeing clients today. Drums now. But it was guitar and singing about an hour ago. Wheels on the Bus.” “Explain.” I unwrap my sandwich, cringing at the racket. Amanda flips her blond hair over her shoulder. “Well, it’s about a bus and the wheels going round and round, people going up and down, the horn beep—”

“Your dad has a friend?” I clear my throat and walk around the corner. “Don’t sound so surprised, Ms. Rodgers. I might have more than one friend.” “No.” Harrison shakes his head. “Just the one.”

“We could job shadow each other. I could let you play with my bongos and you could show me your briefs.”

“What are you doing?” Harrison asks. Ellen keeps her eyes on her feet. “Coming to hear you play.” “Why?” I stand next to Harrison and nudge him. “Because you’re my son, and I want to hear you play.” “Whatever.” I choose to take that as code for “I love you too, Dad.”

“I didn’t think I could like you more than I do in a suit.” I cross my legs, eliciting a quick glance from my dishwasher. “But when you roll up your sleeves and get all domestic on me, it’s kinda hot. Like Gardener Flint, the dirtier you get, the dirtier my thoughts get.”

“Smells good.” Flint eyes me. I’m not sure if he’s talking about the cookies or not. The comment fits the cookie scenario, but his eyes portray a different kind of hunger. “Warm and moist.” I wiggle my eyebrows, taking one from the cooling rack and sinking my teeth into it.