What's Life Without the Sprinkles - By Misty Simon Page 0,49
intricacies of his latest video game and the way Nate didn’t always let him win, since it was good for his character, Justin kept his arms crossed over his chest. But it was less a protective gesture and more a pride in himself and relaxation. He’d jumped into the conversation with Peter as if they were old friends and Justin had every right to his undivided attention.
Fortunately, Peter hadn’t been talking to anyone at the time, so Claudia didn’t have to deal with Justin being rude and butting in once he got his mind set on something.
“So anyway, there’s this level on Spiderman that you have to swing left and right and not miss a single thing while picking up clues. I scored on it, and it was so cool. I can’t wait to get to the next level.”
Peter hadn’t said much yet, but Justin hadn’t exactly given him a chance. He looked a little bewildered, though he was at least paying attention. “How many levels are you talking?”
“Probably about twenty or more, I think. I didn’t look at the back of the package yet, or even get cheat codes off the Internet, since we’re trying to beat it on our own.” Justin shrugged. “So anyway, I just wanted to tell you that I think it’s great meeting you, and thanks for being with my mom to make me.”
Claudia felt her breath back up in her throat. The expression on her face most likely closely mirrored the dawning look of horror on Peter’s face.
And Justin went on. “She hasn’t really explained the whole baby thing to me yet, so I’m not sure what all was involved, but I hope it was fun, since I’m fun.”
Open up, floor, and swallow her whole. Yet she still couldn’t get her mouth to do anything but open and close.
“If you’ve ever been worried that Mom wasn’t going to do a good job with me, you can stop now. She’s the best in the world, even if she won’t let me call you a sperm donor, and I think it’s cool to finally meet you. I mean, how many people get to go back to school tomorrow and say, ‘Hey, I finally got to meet my dad and he was pretty cool’? Ought ta be fun. I’m going to go get some more soda, Mom. I’ll see you later, Peter. I want to tell Grandpa about this awesome basket I made at church this morning. Have fun, and it was nice meeting you.” Justin trotted off toward the kitchen.
Peter gave a vague wave of his hand before shaking his head and looking at Claudia. She swallowed nervously, still not sure what to say, if she should apologize or if she should just ride the wave. Although that had gone a whole lot better than she had thought possible.
It could have been worse, anyway.
“Wow.” Peter wiped his fingers across the top of his mouth. It was a nervous gesture from years ago, and it tugged at her a little.
“Yeah, he’s, um, something else, huh?” Claudia remained standing even though it made her feel awkward to tower over him in her three-inch heels. After the flats had gone into the fire the moment she got home from her date with Eddie, she’d worn only heels. They gave her a height advantage right now, but it seemed silly to force it—until he stood up and took her hand, leaving her at his eye level.
“He is something, Claudia. You did a good job.”
Well, that wasn’t quite the response she’d been prepared for. And now what did she say since the verbal ball was back in her court? “Um, thank you.” So weak, but she couldn’t think of anything else on such short notice. She couldn’t even dredge up all the old feelings of abandonment to blast him with.
“Well, I think Brad’s waving me over, so I’ll be going.”
He ducked out before she could say anything else, and it was a letdown to not have said anything but, “Um, thanks.” She looked around the room but couldn’t find Justin, and she didn’t want to face Zoe just yet. She could go talk to her parents. She hadn’t seen them since the buffet line. When she looked around for them, though, they seemed to be in a pretty intense conversation with their heads close together. Maybe not.
May’s smiling face greeted her when she walked back into the dining room with the intention of maybe grabbing more potato salad, the great equalizer