Gus fought an eye-roll with a heavy-leaded sigh but didn't say anything. I was his cash cow, his protégé, and there was no way he'd prefer that I took the day off.
"So, what's he gonna do all day, then?"
"You're looking at it."
"This is it? He's just gonna watch shit on that thing?"
I frowned and squinted my eyes, defense bringing my blood to a steady bubble. "Yeah. That's it."
With another sigh and a shake of his head, he made his exit, murmuring as he walked away, "He better not get into stuff, Blake, or I swear ..."
“Knock it off, Gus.”
“I’m just sayin’, Blake. I like your brother, but I gotta run a business here.”
“Uh-huh," I mumbled under my breath, and got ready for my first client.
As predicted, Jake kept to himself as I worked. He sat in the corner of my station, watching his videos and eating Goldfish crackers, and the only time he interrupted my work was to announce that he needed to pee. My clients didn't comment on his presence, but I noticed their questioning stares, glancing in the direction of the grown man with a Mickey Mouse t-shirt and iPad playing children's shows. More than once I wanted to tell them to mind their own business and to keep their eyes to themselves, but I bit my tongue and did my job.
The day went smoothly until we were ready to close, and the front door opened. Celia announced she'd handle it as I continued to clean up, and I listened as Cee went up front.
"Hey, is Blake around?"
That voice. I closed my eyes and took a deep breath, feeling my lungs swell and deflate like it'd been days since I last knew what air was.
"Uh, yeah, one sec," Cee answered questioningly, and she stuck her head into the back. "Hey, Butterfly Tattoo Chick is here."
“Oh,” I replied sheepishly. “Okay.”
“Why would she be here?” she whispered.
"I dunno,” I lied, my throat rough and my voice graveled. “You can send her back.”
"Or you can come up front."
I glanced over my shoulder and caught the glare of suspicion coming from my friend. "Send her back here, Celia."
With one last narrowed glance, she told Audrey to come back. I heard her footsteps before I saw her. Light and delicate against the dingy tile. I forced indifference into my veins as she walked toward my station, and then Jake looked up from his videos.
"Oh! Oh!" His face lit up instantly, emanating with an endearing exuberance. "Blake! Audrey's here! Audrey came!"
How he remembered her name, I didn't know, but I turned to face the object of his excitement. I studied her soft gait and her blonde hair, curled at the ends to trail over her shoulders and back.
"I see that," I answered under my breath.
"Hey, Jake!" It was as if I wasn't even there as she addressed my brother with her full attention. "I didn't expect to see you today. What a nice surprise!"
He jumped up from his seat, rushing toward her with urgent concern. "Audrey. Blake is working, but you can watch Daniel Tiger over here. You gotta be quiet. Blake likes it quiet, so shhh." He pressed a finger to his lips, as though he wasn’t the one shouting just two seconds ago.
"Oh," she lowered her voice to a whisper. "I'm sorry. I didn't know. Thank you for telling me."
"I got Daniel Tiger over here, Audrey." He hurried back to his corner of the room and patted his seat. "You can be quiet and watch Daniel Tiger over here."
"Okay, that sounds great," she whispered. "But can you just give me a minute? I need to talk to your brother about something, okay?"
"Blake is my brother. We look the same because we’re twins."
"Twins are so special, aren't they?" She grinned sweetly.
With their exchange happening before me, I felt like an intruder. But I couldn't look away. I watched them interact in a way I'd only seen my brother behave with me, and I sat there, stunned. At her ability to treat him like an equal, like there wasn’t a damn thing wrong with him. And I continued to stare, even as Cee walked in and took a seat, obviously curious and eavesdropping.
"Special, yes," Jake agreed, nodding adamantly. "Special. I like Special K. I eat it sometimes for breakfast when I'm running late."
"It's a great cereal," she agreed. "Good for you, too."
Jake nodded. "Yeah, yeah. Audrey, I got Daniel Tiger over here. You can be quiet and watch Daniel Tiger with me over here."
"You know what, Jake? That sounds great, but can you just give me a minute?” Audrey asked again, gently reminding my brother of why she was there. “You go watch Daniel Tiger, while I talk to Blake and then I'll be right over." She smiled kindly, so patiently, and he nodded fervently.
"You'll be right over in just a minute," he repeated, and she nodded her clarification. Satisfied, he headed back to the corner of the room to grab his iPad, and Audrey turned to me.
"Hi, Blake," she said in nearly a whisper, as though we were exchanging secrets. As though we ourselves were a secret and the world was constantly trying to listen in.
"Hey, Audrey."
Suddenly shy, she smiled bashfully and lowered her hypnotic blue gaze from mine. "I feel bad for showing up here unannounced."
"Yeah, it's no problem. You actually caught me at a good time," I gestured toward my paper towels and bottle of disinfectant, “I was just cleaning up for the night.”
"Oh, okay," she replied, sighing with relief. "I don't feel so bad then."
Something moved behind her and my trance was broken. I shifted my gaze to look at Cee and the scrutiny in her eyes. Suddenly, I didn't like her being there and seeing this, this moment that was somehow private and personal, and I stood up abruptly.
"You wanna step outside with me for a second? I need some air," I suggested.
Audrey's eyes lifted back to mine, looking startled as she nodded. "Yeah, sure."
"Jake," I said, "sit right there. I'll be back."
I turned to lead the way and Cee finally spoke, "You're gonna leave me alone with your brother?"
"He's fine, Cee. Just pretend he’s one of your kids," I muttered and left the shop with Audrey on my heels.
Outside in the evening air, I sucked in a deep breath, filling my lungs and preparing my mind with the cacophony of cars and pedestrians surrounding us. Then, I turned to her, so spotless and perfect in her white coat.
I pointed to where I knew there'd been smudged stains against the stark white. "You had it cleaned."
She looked toward the spot I was referring to. "Oh, yeah. I just picked it up this morning." Her face turned and her smile zapped my chest. "Good as new."
"I'll give you the money for it."
"Oh, jeez, don't be ridiculous. It's fine."
I opened my mouth to protest, to insist that she take my money or my life or my anything she desired, but before I could make a complete ass of myself, she filled the air with her voice.
"So, I-I think I left something at your house, and I ..."
"Oh, right!" My hand pushed into a pocket to wrap around the delicate silver chain. I pulled it out and opened my palm. "Here."