She laughed, her brown eyes full of warmth. “I mean if you were to ever have a man in your life again.”
I shrugged. “I honestly don’t know. I’m thirty-two and very single. I used to think I was going to have at least two kids but now it doesn’t really seem like it’s in the cards. It would be different if I was married or had a steady boyfriend. What about you?”
“I want more, but like you said, that requires a man.”
I held up a finger. “Technically, it doesn’t.”
She curled her lip. “My biological clock isn’t banging that hard. I’m not going the turkey-baster route just yet. I’m sure once my little pumpkin hits thirteen, I’m going to be ripping out my ovaries and calling it a day.”
“I think when the time is right, you know,” I said. “But right now, the time is right for me to get my shoes on and get out of here.”
She clapped her hands. “Scarf that cereal down, guys, the school bus is leaving in two point two minutes.”
“You don’t drive a school bus,” Caitlyn groaned.
I smiled as I walked away. There was nothing that got by them. I pulled on my heels, tucked in my blouse, and made sure there was not a speck of lint on my black pencil skirt. I insisted my team be dressed for success and I always strived to set a good example.
“Saige, we’re out of here,” Joss said.
I walked back into the living room. I didn’t dare give Jace a hug. My ability to hug him in front of witnesses had been halted at the start of third grade. I still got to hug him on some special occasions.
“Have fun today, buddy,” I told him and handed him his backpack. “Don’t forget—”
“I know, Mom.”
I touched his shoulder and offered a smile. I stared into those pretty eyes that reminded me of a man I thought I loved. I loved my little man more than anything in the world, though. “I’ll see you tonight” I said.
I waved as they walked out the door. I swore every day he grew a little more. My little boy was not so little anymore. I shook off the melancholy that always arose when I thought about the passing time. I often wondered if I was doing the right thing by raising him alone. He needed a father, but as it turned out, there were few qualified applicants. If I couldn’t have the best for him, I didn’t want any.
I grabbed my purse and briefcase and walked out the door. I hit the button to unlock the door of my Nissan Maxima. “Good morning, Mrs. Benson,” I said with a wave to my neighbor.
“Have a nice day,” she said before disappearing into her house.
I loved my neighborhood. I started the car and headed down the road. I missed the short commute to work when I lived in the city, but when Jace was three, I realized he needed a yard and a little room to breathe. I bought the house in Brooklyn and never looked back. I didn’t mind a longer commute.
When I got to work, I immediately felt something was off. I walked past the cubicles with people working already. I made my way to my office and was just about to go in when my boss, the owner of our firm, called my name.
“Yes?” I asked.
“Can I talk to you for a minute?”
That was never good. “Sure.” I put my briefcase and purse in my office and walked to his that was just a little bigger than mine. “What’s going on George?” I took a seat without invitation.
He looked uncomfortable. I wasn’t the least bit concerned I was going to be fired. I was very good at my job and our business was successful. Mostly.
“I want you to know you have been the greatest employee I have ever gotten the pleasure to work with. You always give it your all and I know I can depend on your honesty and integrity.”
“Thank you.”
“I’ve called a meeting,” he announced.
“When?”
“Ten minutes in the conference room.”
Now I was concerned. “Is this about the Bonner account?” I asked.
He smiled, making the wrinkles at the corners of his eyes deepen. “No. That situation was ironed out.”
“Is that all?”
“Yes. I just wanted to let you know how much I’ve appreciated working with you.”
I frowned but decided to just wait it out. “Okay, do I need anything for the meeting?”