Page 108 of Turning Back

I don’t think that’s why he’s here anymore.

I don’t think he’s here for me. For our friendship.

I think he’s here for them.

“So, what do you know about allergies?”

“Yeah, that sucks, man,” Smith says. I called him up from work to get a second opinion. I know this is Bric territory, but Bric is the last guy I want to talk to. “Chella told me this morning. Rochelle called her.”

“Are you allergic to anything?” I ask.

“No. Why?”

“Because I’m not either. But Bric is. Says he’s allergic to mango. And they think…” I stop talking.

“They think? What?” Smith asks.

“I’m gonna be devastated, dude. They think Adley might be allergic to mango too. And that means…”

“Fuck,” he says. “Do they know that for sure?”

“No. We have an appointment with the allergist in two weeks. We tried to get in sooner, but they’re booked up and they say this isn’t urgent. Just don’t feed her anything new until we get it sorted. I guess they’re gonna prick her with needles and we’ll know for sure. God,” I say, running my fingers through my hair. “I don’t know how to feel about this.”

Smith is silent.

“How should I feel about this, Smith?”

“I dunno,” he says. “Does it matter? I mean, you guys look happy. Everything is working out the way you want it, right?”

“Yeah, but…”

“But?”

“But that was before, you know. When I was sure she was mine. If she’s not mine—I mean, I’m not leaving them over this. If it turns out Bric is the father. But… I think if we know for sure, it will change things.”

Silence.

“Are you there?” I ask.

“Yeah, I’m here. Just thinking.”

“Well, you got any answers for me?”

“Just…” He sighs. “Just wait it out. See what happens. I mean, I don’t think she looks like Bric, you know? She doesn’t have his eyes. And she doesn’t have Rochelle’s eyes, either.”

“She does have my eyes, right?”

“Sure,” he says. But then there’s a bunch of yelling in the background that takes several seconds to die down. It gets silent again and he’s back. “I had to go outside. Goddamned gym rats. Think they know what’s up. Little fuckers.”

“What the hell is going on?”

“Listen, I gotta go. I’m at the gym with the kids, you know? I gotta kick their thug asses today. They got me good again last time, but third time’s the charm, right?”

I chuckle picturing Smith boxing with wild teen boys who think they own the world. “Right. I’m gonna laugh my ass off when you come over on Monday with a black eye.”

“Don’t say that. These kids are serious about kicking my ass. They have this pool going to see which one of them will knock me out first. I’m not as young as I used to be, man. Fucking teenagers.”

“All right then. You going to Chella and Bric’s tea room party tomorrow?”