The Cleaner by Kiersten Modglin

Author:Kiersten Modglin
Language: eng
Format: epub

“Mom doesn’t eat macaroni,” Nora informed him, eyeing the box as he sat it on the counter.

“Well, that’s just because she’s never tried mine.” He winked at her.

“She says it goes straight to her butt,” she said, letting out a giggle.

“Nora!” her mother said, her face flushing.

“Well, you do,” she insisted. “Hey, can I preheat the oven?” she changed the subject quickly, her eyes on Gunner. He looked to Reagan, awaiting a response though her question was directed to him. When she nodded, he handed Nora the bag of chicken nuggets. “Three-fifty,” he told her.

She hurried to the stove excitedly while Gunner grabbed a pot from the rack above the island. He filled it with water before handing it to Nora. “Can you sit this on the stove for me?”

Reagan walked to the fridge, grabbing a block of cheese and setting it down. “At least use real cheese, please, rather than that powdered poison.” She smiled at him, her tone soft, though he could tell it was important to her. She was so different than the girl who’d scarfed pizza rolls and beef jerky with him so many years ago.

“When did your mom become such a food snob?” he teased Nora, tossing the powdered cheese packet in the trash.

Nora shrugged. “Did you know my mom in school?”

“I sure did,” he told her, chopping up the cheese. She grabbed a baking sheet, placing the chicken nuggets on it carefully. From across the room, Reagan stared at the bag, a worried look on her face. She wanted to protest, he could tell, but she was remaining quiet.

“Don’t worry,” he teased her, “they’re organic, gluten-free, grass-fed, non-gmo, cage free, free range, and blessed by a gypsy spirit.”

Reagan couldn’t help but smile at him, though she turned away as he saw it.

“What was she like?” Nora asked.

“The chicken?” Gunner joked, poking a nugget. “I didn’t know her personally, but I’ve heard she was a real pain.”

Nora laughed, maybe a bit too loud. “No, I meant my mom when you were in school.”

“Oh.” Gunner feigned confusion. “She was…” He looked up, meeting her eyes, “Brilliant. Beautiful.” He tapped the girl’s nose. “Just like you. And smart. And funny. But, she had a stubborn streak.”

“She always says I’m stubborn too.”

“Well, you come by it naturally.”

“See,” Nora taunted her mother. “It’s your fault.” Reagan approached, taking the baking sheet and sliding it into the oven.

“I’ll take credit for that, ‘cause I get credit for a lot of great stuff about you too,” she said, kissing her daughter’s head.

“Did you know my dad too?” Nora asked.

“What?” Gunner asked, doing a double take at her words. He popped a piece of cheese into his mouth to buy some time, staring at Reagan.

“My dad. Mom said he went to school with her, so you probably knew him too, right?”

Reagan shook her head. “I don’t know if Gunner knew your dad or not, baby.”

“Mom says I have his smile,” she told him matter-of-factly.

“Well, I’m sure he was great.”

“I never met him,” she said.

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