Chapter 16
Simon
I haven't seen Boris all day, and I don't know if I should be relieved or not. The further the day progresses, the more I lean toward not. I feel unsettled whenever he's around, but never before have I found myself staring out the window as many times in a day, trying to spot him.
Crazy.
I look at the clock and sigh. It's time to go get Ira.
Maybe I should add Boris' name to the list of people who're allowed to pick him up.
There is no need now, but what if I'm called to an interview or something?
I can't turn it down simply because I need to pick up my kid. Then they'd never hire me.
It can't hurt to have Boris listed. I don't need to tell him. Or maybe I should tell him. I sigh to myself. How can a person take up so much room in my head when I don't know him?
With the keys in my hand, I exit the house. I glance toward the garage where rock music most often is playing while Boris is fiddling with his motorbike.
It's closed and silent.
Unease swirls in my gut. What is he doing today?
I get in the car and drive the short way to the school. I should stop taking the car. It'd only take us fifteen minutes to walk, or maybe it would be closer to ten now that Ira is bigger, and I'd save on gas money.
Starting tomorrow, we'll be walking. Unless we're running late or it's raining. I nod to myself, glad for at least having made one decision today. I've been wandering around the house like a restless spirit all day, getting nothing done.
Maybe I should invite Boris for dinner. He's cooked for us several times now and taken us to the cafe. I didn't pay a cent there. He drove us and paid for us.
Yes, I'll cook for him. Though, what the hell do you make for a chef? What if he thinks my cooking sucks? Then I curse myself. I'm being stupid. It's the gesture that counts.
Ira is waiting for me when I arrive. He stands alone, and a pang of something hits me. Does he have friends in school? The teachers have never hinted at there being a problem, but he never talks about anyone.
I greet the teacher who's watching the kids, and she crosses Ira off the list. When we're back in the car, I smile at him. "How was school today?"
He fastens the seatbelt before looking at me. "Good."
Okay. "What did you do?"
He shrugs. "Same as always."
I flick the indicator and get us moving. "Yeah? But you have to have learned something new, right?"
He's quiet for several seconds. "We're going to draw animals in art class."
"Yeah? What are you drawing?"
"A wolf."
I swallow. "A wolf?" I try to sound positive and catch him nodding at the corner of my eye.
"Yeah. I know it won't be as good as Zahrah's. I can't draw like a photograph, but maybe she can tell me how to draw it to make it life-like."
I hum to let him know it's a good thought before speaking. "I'm not sure Zahrah knows how to draw. She takes photos. It's not the same."
"I know, but I think she knows wolves."
Yup, can't argue with that. "You can ask Boris if she'll want to...talk wolves with you."
He beams.
Why wolves? I wish he could be fascinated by rabbits or woodpeckers or something harmless. I don't want him to get any ideas about going out into the woods and trying to take photos of wolves. Zahrah might have a death wish, but I don't want it to rub off on Ira. Argh.
Boris is exiting his house before we've made it out of the car, and I smile to myself. I hurry out and notice him carrying something.
"Hi." His smile is a little strained, and my alarm bells instantly go off. Boris doesn't do strained. Or hasn't so far.
"What's wrong?"
His eyebrows shoot up. "Nothing. Why?"
I don't believe him. "You look...Did something happen?"
A car is coming toward us, slowing, and then stops, blocking Boris' driveway.
"Nah, I'm going with Zahrah to snap some photos of wolves, but I made this, and now I won't be eating it, so I figured I'd give it to you." He holds out a Dutch oven. "Cook some rice to go with, and maybe some chutney or jelly or something."
I stare at him as does Ira, though we have different reactions. No words come, and I watch as Zahrah exits the car and smiles at us.
"You're going..."
Boris nods and pushes the Dutch oven toward me. "Venison. I don't know if you like venison, but--"
I nod, not sure I like venison either. Have I ever had venison? I must, right?
Zahrah joins us, and something close to panic claws at me.
"Hi." She grins widely and reaches out to ruffle Ira's hair.
"Are you going to photograph wolves?" His eyes are so wide I can't help but smile despite wanting to protest the whole idea.
"It's the plan. We'll see if we can get any good ones."
"Can I come?" His voice is so hopeful, my heart cracks.
"No." My tone is firm.
Zahrah grins. "Sorry, bud. We'll be tenting in the woods for a couple of days. You can't miss school."
Ira deflates, and I want to try to soften the blow, but I don't know how. Then Zahrah's words catch up with me. "You're tenting. In November?"
She shrugs. "Sure."
"It's...cold."
"Which is why I'm stealing Boris from you. He's a good heating blanket."
Boris snorts and rolls his eyes but doesn't speak. I don't think he's ever been quiet for this long before, and it bothers me.
"Are you sure it's safe?" I aim the question at Boris, but it's Zahrah who answers.
"Sure, and if not, I'm sure they'll eat Boris before they eat me. He's tastier." She grins at Ira while a chill travels through me.
"Are you...Will you be armed?"
Both of them give me puzzled looks.
"Maybe it's better you stay at home. What if something happens, and you're out there in the wild? Will anyone know where you'll be?" My heart picks up pace. "What if they attack?"
"Wolves don't attack without cause." Zahrah's smile is soft, but I'm not sure I can trust it. "If you're worried, you can check in with Boris now and then. We'll most likely have reception. You have his number?"
I shake my head. I'm sure I can find his number, but I haven't yet. I push the Dutch oven back to Boris and get my phone out, find where to add contacts, and meet his gaze. "Your number?"
He recites his number, I double-check, then I send him a text, so he'll have mine. There is a low buzz coming from his pocket, and I breathe a little easier. Only a little. I don't like this.
"Why don't you come inside for a bit. Coffee?"
Boris takes a step forward, but Zahrah places a hand on his forearm. "We should get going."
I think Boris whines. Maybe. It's so low, I'm not sure what I'm hearing.
"Do you think you'll find the wolves?" Ira's voice is full of wonder, and I look between him and Zahrah, then shoot Boris a look.
I'm not sure what he sees on my face, but I get a ghost of a smile in return.
It makes me want to wail. I've never seen him like this.
He's always buzzing with energy, his eyes twinkling with mischief and a smile playing on his lips.
Zahrah shrugs. "I'm hopeful. If we don't find any wolves, I'll take some nature photos. I should switch out the photos at Beantopia."
"What will you do with the ones there now?" Ira's eyes are alight with curiosity. I should take him to an art museum or a gallery. If the cafe made this much of an impression on him, I should...except I have no money to waste on frivolous outings.
"I don't know. I'll keep them or give them to someone. Maybe Boris needs more photos on his walls." She nudges Boris. "Come on, lazy bones. We're losing daylight."
He gives her a clipped nod and holds out the Dutch oven to me again. "Cook some rice to go with. Or if you prefer potatoes, I guess it works. I always make rice."
I accept it. I'll make rice. I'm not gonna argue with a chef. I don't think I own any chutney. Maybe there is a jar of jelly hidden somewhere at the back of the refrigerator, but I'm not sure.
"Be careful." I don't even try to hide the worry in my voice, and I get another of those barely-there smiles.
"If you want, you can come to my place this weekend to see the photos." Zahrah ruffles Ira's hair again, and he grins at her.
"Yes, please."
"Eh..." I have no idea where she lives and--
"I'll take you." Boris crouches and holds out his arms to Ira. To my surprise, he steps right into the embrace. I don't know if I've ever seen Ira hug anyone other than me. It stirs something in my chest.
Then Boris lets go of him and steps closer to me. His scent hits me, and I inhale without thought. The smile he gives me is all wrong, but then he nuzzles my temple. "Stay out of trouble." His voice is low and rumbly, and I want to cling to him, but my hands are full of Dutch oven.
"Be careful." I speak equally low, and for the shortest moment, his hand lingers on my hip. I want to lean into him, but before I can figure out how to maneuver the Dutch oven out of the way, he steps away.
"See you in a couple of days."
Two days. I let out a long breath but say nothing as they cross the street. Boris opens the front door to his house, but doesn't step inside. His bag is waiting on the doormat, and he grabs it, locks the door, and gets into Zahrah's car.
A few seconds later, they're gone.
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