Manfax (Winter Brothers #2) - Jacob Chance Page 0,39
morning you might not want to go grab lunch. So I brought lunch to you.”
I see a flicker of surprise before it’s masked. “I didn’t expect this.” I hand the paper bag to her and she peers inside. “You got me an oriental salad? How did you know what I like?”
“I noticed you were eating salad yesterday.” I shrug. “I figured with the nearby location, the cafe was someplace you frequented. When I ordered, I explained it was for you and asked which was your favorite.”
“This is a really nice surprise.” She holds up the bag between us.
“Well, I’ve got one more for you.” Drawing my other hand forward, I hold out the umbrella I bought for her. “You’ll need this when you leave. The forecast calls for rain through the night.”
Both her eyebrows jump upward and her mouth opens and closes. Baffled and awkwardly struggling for words, her hand closes around the umbrella.
“This one seems sturdy,” I tell her.
“Thank you, again. I don’t know what to say.”
“You don’t need to say anything more, Rocky.”
“I feel like I do. All of this is a really thoughtful gesture.”
“You didn’t expect that from me, did you?” I tease.
“Frankly, no, I didn’t.”
I tilt my head toward the hallway. “Work is calling me. Enjoy your lunch.” The door is almost closed when she calls out, “Adam.”
Catching hold of the edge of the wood, I lean my head inside. “Yeah?”
“Enjoy the rest of your day.” She smiles, and my chest fills with a lightness I’m unfamiliar with. But this is the first smile she’s freely given me. It’s not because of something funny I said or did. I made her genuinely happy, and that feels pretty fucking amazing.
“I will.”
“Heeey, Aaadam,” Randy calls out when I step inside the group home I volunteer at every week.
“What’s going on, my man?” I hold my hand up for him to high five.
“Bonnie said we’re going bowling next week. Are you coming too?” Randy’s words are slow and deliberate but perfectly clear.
“Do you think I’d miss a chance to bowl?” I ask. He beams, his excitement apparent. I bump his arm with mine. “Just be warned, I’m gonna kick your ass.”
His jaw drops with shock and then he grins, bumping my arm. “No, I’m gonna kick your ass.”
“I guess we’ll have to wait and see. For now, how about we head outside and shoot some hoops?”
“You’re on.” Randy grins widely, showing the small, endearing gap between his front teeth.
When I first met Randy he wasn’t interested in basketball at all. He would get frustrated when he couldn’t make baskets, but with many hours of practice and encouragement he’s improved greatly.
“Up top.” I nod toward the top of the key just beyond the foul line as I dribble onto the outdoor court. It’s Randy’s favorite spot to shoot from, so he doesn’t waste any time getting there.
“Hit me with the rock.” His smile is infectious.
I toss him the ball, and without hesitation, he drains one from behind the three point line.
“Ohhhh, did you see that?” I shout, as if I’m addressing an imaginary crowd. “This kid just dropped a three pointer with no time left on the clock. Did you see that?” I yell so loud my voice cracks.
Randy runs around in circles with his arms held out, like an airplane. “I’m a jet. Call me The Jet,” he hollers back.
“The Jet is on fire tonight, ladies and gentlemen.”
Randy stops abruptly and looks at me with a confused expression. “But it’s evening, Adam.”
He remains motionless, staring at me, waiting for me to correct my mistake.
“My bad, bud, The Jet is on fire this evening, ladies and gentlemen.”
He continues his celebration through four more laps around the court, making airplane noises the entire time. I wait, patiently watching, and can’t help but smile. His complete immersion in a simple moment of happiness is inspiring. We should all try to be more like Randy, finding joy in everything he does. Life would be a lot more fulfilling and less stressful if we were.
“My bad, bud.” Randy stops imitating a plane. “My bad, bud. My bad, bud,” he chants the phrase over and over again, “My bad, bud.” He likes the way it sounds.
He stops chanting just as abruptly as he started. “Adam, can I ask you a question ?” He scans the area, looking over each shoulder, and moves in closer. “It’s really important,” he says quietly.
“I’m all ears, buddy.” I stop dribbling and step forward, ready to hear what he has