The boy tells me about his summer job, saying it’s been fun and the folks are real nice. I listen, and imagine what it must be like to have a manual-labouring job like that.
“You gotta let me do it soon,” he says, lying back in my room after we’ve laughed ourselves breathless about something.
“Why?” I ask. “What’s the hurry?”
“Well, if you don’t let me try it on you, I reckon it won’t be the first time for both of us when we finally do it. But hey, if that’s how you want it.”
“You big banana head,” I say, opening the window.
He smirks and stretches out across the bed. “C’mere, darlin’.”
“Stop it, you fool. You’re sixteen, not some international playboy.”
He lets out a laugh. “Maybe one day I will be. And then you’ll be sorry you didn’t catch me when you could.”
I throw a tennis ball at him.
“Well?” he demands.
“I’ll think about it.” I don’t tell him I already have been.
“Good. Now c’mere again. I need a bit more cuddlin’.”
“Sure thing,” I say. “I’m here to please.”
He’s always so polite around other girls. It makes me wonder. He says it’s because I’m his soulmate, and he can be himself with me, just as he really is.
“I dunno what it is,” he says. “Feels like you already live in my head, so there’s no point hidin’ nothin’. I just let it all hang loose, right there in your face.” He chortles.
“I see,” I reply. “A bit of decorum would be nice once in a while.”
“Yes, ma’am,” he says, mock-seriously.
“What would you say if I did the same with you?”
He shrugs. “Kinda feel like you already do.”
“Oh really?” I say. “Well, I don’t.”
“You oughta,” he replies, stretching lazily before getting up. “Anyway, gotta skedaddle. Mamma’ll be hollerin’ if I don’t show.”
Then he winks. “See you later, Buzzy Bee. I’m gonna have to love you and leave you.”
“A wrassle and tumble tonight?” I ask.
His eyes go wide. “You bet. When you want me back? After supper sometime?”
“Sure thing. I’ll be here.”
“Don’t be square,” I say, drawing a square with my finger.
He chuckles. “Nah, you’re s’posed to just say ‘don’t be,’then draw the square.”
“Oh,” I say.
“Okay. Bye now.”
I watch him walk down the drive and think: this is what home feels like. Not just the house. Him.
My novel GREAT ARE THE MYTHS will be serialised (one chapter each day) over the summer of 2026. If you would rather listen to the audiobook, the full story is available for free on all the usual platforms. Info and links HERE
My World of Interiors 