Surrendered by Jennifer Sienes

Author:Jennifer Sienes [Sienes, Jennifer]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Celebrate Lit Publishing
Published: 2019-04-30T04:00:00+00:00

* * *

Jake

I slide a plate sporting a salami and cheese sandwich across the table to Max. “Here you go, champ. Just like you asked.” With the shades pulled down, the restaurant sits in shadows.

“Does it got mustard?”

“Yes. It has mustard.” Depositing my own plate on the table, I sit.

He lifts the sourdough bread and peers beneath. “You didn’t put mayo on it, did you?”

I freeze, my own sandwich halfway to my mouth. “Did you ask for mayo?”

He shakes his head.

“Good. There’s no mayo.” Before he can sidetrack me with another question, I take a bite. Pure, artery-clogging bliss.

Max wraps his hands around his sandwich, opens his mouth as wide as possible, and almost gets a full bite. The words he utters are unintelligible.

“Don’t talk with your mouth full.”

He nods, his cheeks puffing out with the effort it takes to chew.

I wasn’t exactly thrilled when Julia showed up with him this morning. No reflection on Max—or Julia, for that matter. Just not used to being around kids.

If things had been different—if I had been different—might be I’d have a kid or two of my own by now. But as my grandmother used to say, “If wishes were horses…”

Katie steps into the dining room. “Hey, guys.”

I make a point of checking my watch. “Your shift doesn’t start for hours.”

“I thought I’d come in early and see if I can give Maris a hand. She’s trying out a new special tonight.”

“Coming into work early? On a Saturday? No social life, huh?”

“Not since you and Tess went all parental on me.”

I’m not about to touch that one. “I don’t think Maris is here yet.”

Katie shrugs. “Mind if I sit?” She drops into the chair before I can answer.

“Not at all. Have a seat.”

“Hey, Max.” She ruffles his hair. “What’re you doing here?”

Swallowing, Max readjusts the top piece of bread. “My mom’s workin’ in the office.”

“You’re stuck here all day? That sounds boring.”

“Aunt Tess’s picking me up.”

“What’re you going to do?”

He shrugs and shoves another bite into his mouth.

I glance toward my office, obscured by the swinging door. “Thought she’d be here by now.”

“She might be. The door to your office was closed, and I heard talking in there. She’s probably hanging out with Julia.”

“It’s not like I don’t have work of my own to do.” I sound like an old grouch.

Katie folds her elbows on the table and stares at me.

“What?” I shift in my chair and focus on Max. “You about done, champ? We can go check and see if Tess is here.”

“Not yet.” He picks at a piece of cheese hanging off the edge of the bread.

Katie catches my eye. “Where’d you come from?”

“Your dad never had the birds and the bees talk with you, huh?”

“Funny. I mean what did you do before Dad hired you?”

“This and that.” I wave a hand at Max. “You intend to eat that thing or what?”

“Tess says no one knows anything about you. She says you appeared out of nowhere.”

“What? Like I fell out of the sky or something? Maybe I’m an alien?” I scowl.

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