Chapter 18
“You never know, Ma’am,” I say. “Maybe I would have been straight-for-you?”
That makes her laugh so hard that Princess lets out a little “ruff” as though she’s asking “what’s so funny?” David just rolls his eyes, but his smile is wide. Happy.
“Remind an old woman what your name is. I seem to have forgotten.”
“Jakob, ma’am. Jakob Lodenius.”
“And I’m Ellen. None of that ma’am, crap, you hear?”
“Yes, Ellen.”
“Now, boys. Run along and do your thing. Enjoy your evening. Princess and I will watch some television, won’t we girl?” Princess pants in reply. “Don’t be a stranger Jakob, you hear?”
I smile. “Yes, ma’am—err, Ellen, I mean.”
She lays her hand on David’s forearm and he leans down so she can kiss his cheek. “Thank you, dear boy. What would I do without you?”
“You won’t have to find out,” David says with a tender smile.