Page 16 of Mack

“I don’t have a hat, Mama.” He looked back at Mack, unbothered. “Do you ride horses?”

“I do.”

“I have a pony. His name is Marty.”

“That’s a good name for a pony.”

“My nana and pap got him for me.” He puffed up a little. “They spoil me.”

Mack kept his expression straight. “I can see that. How many horses do you think I have?”

T.J. scrunched his face, thinking hard. “Four?”

“Six.”

His eyes went wide. “That’s a lot.”

“Okay.” Mallory stepped in. “Go wash your hands, it’s time to eat.”

“‘Kay, Mama.” He looked up at Mack on his way past. “Mama makes really good chicken.”

“I hear that. I’m pretty hungry too.”

“Me too. I’ll be back.” He took off down the hall at full speed.

Mallory watched him go and shook her head. “Two speeds. Fast and asleep.”

Mack straightened up, smiling. “He’s a good kid.”

“He is,” she said. “Some days more than others.”

When T.J. came back he ran straight past them into the kitchen. Mallory caught Mack’s eye and shrugged.

“Told you. Fast and asleep. Come on.”

Mack followed her to the kitchen and found T.J. already standing beside his chair, waiting.

“Let me lift you,” Mallory said.

“I want Mack to do it.”

Mack stepped forward without hesitation and lifted the boy into his booster seat, sliding him up to the table. “How’s that?”

T.J. tested it with a wiggle. “Good.” He looked at the platter Mallory was setting down. “Mama, I want a leg.”

“I know you do.”

He looked at Mack. “That’s my favorite part. What’s yours?”

“I like it all.”

T.J. found this deeply funny.

Mallory set out the corn and mashed potatoes and turned to find Mack standing beside his chair, waiting. She stared at him.

“Mack, sit down.”

“I will after you.”