MAGPIE

MAGPIE by M.A. Reyes

Book: MAGPIE by M.A. Reyes Read Free Book Online
Authors: M.A. Reyes
Tags: Fiction
Ads: Link
well, and told them the story of an old hoot owl that had flown into my yard the day Jack and Michael died. Al, I explained to my attentive audience, perched himself atop my massive ash tree, staking his new claim, and watched over Cody and me year after year.
    The temperature had dropped significantly, so we made our way inside where I led the twins through their nighttime routine: a good soak in chocolate-scented bubble bath, two rounds of the alphabet song as they brushed their teeth, and a quick change into jammies. Afterward, we settled into our ritual of bedtime reading. I’d asked Carrie if I could begin the Harry Potter series, and she agreed. Lisbeth devoured books and Timmy, while not as voracious a reader, loved hearing stories read out loud. I wanted to be the one to introduce them to one of Michael’s favorite books, and I was thrilled that it began that night.
    By the time I tucked the twins in, I was exhausted and ready for a cool shower. First, however, I made my way to the kitchen for a much needed glass of wine. Savoring the first sip, I reflected on the day, which wasn’t just a celebration of our country’s independence; rather, it was a day filled with deep emotions and bittersweet memories. Torn between the warmth of my grandkids’ love and the deep desire for uncontrollable passion, I was uncertain if there was a place in my life for a lover; after all, I was a widow, hard-working professional and dutiful Nana—how much more could I give? Independence, my ass, I thought, realizing I was more dependent on things and people than I’d like. Just then, my phone went off, clearing my thoughts like the delete button on a keyboard. It was Daniel and I couldn’t unlock the screen fast enough,
    Today, 9:16 PM
    DANIEL: Rough day?
    MAGS: Sorta
    DANIEL: Thought of you
    MAGS: Me 2, u I mean
    DANIEL: Fun with kids, tho?
    MAGS: Tons of fun, thx for asking…really
    DANIEL: Had a disaster of a date
    MAGS: Real live date?
    DANIEL: In the flesh
    MAGS: Enjoyable flesh?
    DANIEL: No, nope, nada
    MAGS: Wanna talk about it?
    DANIEL: Text ok with you?
    I had a flashback of my earlier exchange with Brett and hesitated. I pictured Daniel secretly texting me in bed with a Miss Flesh lying next to him, naked,
    DANIEL: U there?
    MAGS: Ya, just thinking
    DANIEL: About what?
    MAGS: Why text and not a call
    DANIEL: Dunno
    Fuck! That stupid word again. Why do men resort to pre-pubescent speak when they feel cornered by a woman?
    MAGS: Heard that word today
    DANIEL: What word?
    MAGS: Dunno
    DANIEL: More…
    MAGS: Cocky jock’s been into more than me
    DANIEL: Oh no, mags
    MAGS: Ya, and I was having so much fun, really liked the guy
    DANIEL: What a let down
    MAGS: Ya
    DANIEL: So, you worry that I’m into more than just you?
    MAGS: U r diff, we know this isn’t real
    DANIEL: Isn’t it?
    MAGS: U know what I mean
    DANIEL: No, what
    MAGS: We do our virtual thing but have real lives
    DANIEL: So this isn’t real
    MAGS: Not in the physical sense
    DANIEL: Don’t u feel anything physical?
    I was beginning to feel interrogated and didn’t like it. My head was swirling with images, words, thoughts and feelings about Daniel, Brett…even Bill. I wanted the fling with Daniel to remain simple and easy. His questions opened up an emotional portal I didn’t want to access…not now. Was he falling for me?
    MAGS: Oh yeah I do
    DANIEL: Me 2, so it’s real
    MAGS: You know what I mean!
    DANIEL: Not really, no
    MAGS: U fucking with me?
    DANIEL: Nope
    MAGS: U falling for me?
    DANIEL: In a way
    MAGS: What way?
    DANIEL: No strings, no baggage, nothing to get in the way
    MAGS: Kinda like a hooker?
    DANIEL: In a good way
    MAGS: How can that be good?
    DANIEL: Turn it around, Mags, what do u like about it?
    I thought about Daniel’s question for a minute, drafting a mental note about what I liked about our arrangement: no commitment, no pressure, no love lost…
    MAGS: The same kinds of things
    DANIEL: So it’s real
    MAGS: Like vacant lot in a

Similar Books

Bursting With Love

Melissa Foster

Gray Panthers: Dixie

David Guenther

Lost Boy

Tara Brown

Angel Kate

Anna Ramsay

Kowloon Tong

Paul Theroux

AMERICAN PAIN

John Temple

Only in Naples

Katherine Wilson

White Silence

Ginjer Buchanan