Page 36 of Mr. B

“I think it’s going to be fun, right?”

“Yeah. It’s a lot of work, but always fun.”

“I think you’re starting to get used to having me around.”

Wes wiped his mouth with a napkin, then tossed it onto the empty pizza pan. “You could be right.”

“That probably pisses you off.”

Wes laughed. “A little bit, yeah.”

“Are you ever going to be able to forgive me?”

“Hmm. I’m not sure. Forgive, maybe. Trust…that’s a whole other thing.”

Chapter nine

“So, no Kumbaya?”

Wes grabbed socks and underwear from his top drawer, then put them in the leather tote sitting on the bed. Frank was lying a foot away from it, watching Wes’ every move.

“So, what am I forgetting?”

Luke’s voice came from the doorway. “The fact that the cat can’t actually answer that question.”

Wes turned to him. “Damn, it’s ten already?”

“9:55.”

Wes looked through the tote. “I think I’m good.”

“Pajamas? Toothbrush? Underoos?”

“Check, check, and ignore.”

Frank suddenly realized someone else was in the room, and he jumped off the bed and ran under it. “And there goes Frank.”

“He’ll come out to eat as long as you leave the kitchen.”

“Why the hell do you keep that damn cat?”

“I can’t pawn him off on someone else. When I picked up a scrawny, wet, three-pound kitten from the side of the road, this isn’t what I had in mind. But he’s my responsibility.”

“And mine when you need a babysitter for him.”

Wes knelt next to the bed and lifted the comforter. “I’ll see you in a week, Frank. Be nice to your Uncle Luke.” Frank hissed, and Wes laughed. “Love you too, pal.”

“You could take him to the farm and let him chase rodents out of the barn.”

“Frank wouldn’t last a week out in the wild.”

“And…how is that a bad thing?”

Wes slung his backpack over his shoulder and picked up the tote. “If Frank dies on your watch, I’ll know it was under questionable circumstances.”

“Frank and I will be fine.” Luke followed Wes to the kitchen.

“There are some leftovers in the fridge, but if you don’t eat them by Tuesday, toss them.” He filled a travel mug with coffee.