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“Tracy said she is running late but she asked me to get the bottomless mosies. And then she said that bottomless mosie was her nickname in college.”
“Well, I’m glad we have a moment,” Chris said as they took their seats. “Can we finish the conversation we started last night? I kind of want to know where you’re at with everything.”
“That is the most vague and generalized way to start an intimate conversation I think I’ve ever heard.”
“You really know how to stroke a guy’s ego,” Chris said. “Well, there’s a slight complication I need to discuss with you.”
Maye’s imagination ran wild. Does he need to marry for citizenship? I wouldn’t be in for that. Would I? Does he already have a family? I have to draw a hard line at secret family. Right? Or do I? Who am I to judge? No, I have to draw a line there. Right?
“I woke up to an email from my agent,” Chris said. “A few small jobs came through, so I have to leave for a few days, maybe a week.”
She exhaled, oddly relieved.
“Is that a good thing?” Chris lifted one eyebrow and frowned slightly.
“No…” Maye panicked, imagining the look of relief Chris might have seen when he said he had to leave. “No!” she said urgently. “It’s just that I think I was assuming the worst-case scenarios, and you having to go to work was just not all that bad.”
“Well now I have to know. What’s the worst-case scenario?”
“Here we are,” a server said as they placed a mimosa carafe and three glasses on the table. “Let me know when you’re ready for more.”
“Oh, it won’t be long,” Tracy said as she appeared from behind the server and took a seat at the table.
“Tracy,” Chris said, “Let me ask you something. If someone you are moderately close with. Like, say, Maye and I,” he looked at Maye for confirmation.
She nodded.
“Said to you,” he continued, “that they had some bad news—”
“Uh, you said ‘a complication you needed to discuss,’” Maye clarified.
“Okay, so if someone said they had a complication they needed to discuss with you, what’s the worst thing you imagine them saying?”
“Secret family,” Tracy said without hesitation.
“Bingo,” Maye said.
“Wow, really? Chris was amused. “Not serial killer, huh?”
“Well, that’s more of a general worst-case scenario, than a someone-you’re-getting-close-to worst case scenario,” Tracy said, like the difference was obvious. “So where’s this secret family?” Tracy asked while pouring herself a mimosa.
“He has to leave,” Maye said, sighing heavily.
“Oh now you’re upset about it,” Chris smirked at her. “I have to go to work. A few jobs came in. But I’ll be back in less than a week, I think. There’s a big Halloween celebration, right?”
“Oh you know it,” Tracy said. “All Fall-ows Eve,” Tracy nodded toward a flyer on the wall near the door.
“All Fall-ows Eve,” Chris read out loud. “Oh, like All Hallow’s Eve, but Fall. I get it. But why not just call it Fall-ows Eve?”
Both Maye and Tracy shook their heads and begged him not to ask.
“Well, I just saw Margery walk in, so I need to hit that pancake station before she clears this place out of batter. BRB,” Tracy said as she weaved to the buffet bar.
“Well, in case it’s not clear,” Maye said, “I will miss you not being here.”
“Aw, really?” Chris said. “I appreciate you understanding that I need to give my other family some of my time.”
Maye tapped his leg with her foot under the table.
