Someday you might find your heroNew-Jake pulls a corner of his toast away with his teeth and chews noisily. Someone's getting a cold. Probably because most of the boys have been wearing shorts for a month when the weather still calls for jeans. I'm not sure how much of a mother I should be to this one because sometimes I am a little in awe of how much he observes in the run of a day, honestly.
Some say you might lose your mind
I'm keeping my head down now for the summer
I'm out of my mind but pour me another
I'm going to take that tiger outside for a ride
He holds out a piece to me.
I don't like toast, Jake. But thank you.
Did you eat today?
Banana.
At what, six this morning?
Yes.
Then I'll make you something.
Lunch is right around the corner, Jake. Don't worry so much.
So let me get this straight. Ben's cool that you are sometimes with Caleb?
No.
But he doesn't freak out.
He has his own issues, Jake.
And all of you speak Gaelic to shut him out?
No. Yes. Well, not at first.
Ben is the outsider, then.
No, he's the longshot. There's a difference.
I don't understand this house.
Me neither. Now finish your toast. You shouldn't wait so long to eat.
I stick my tongue out at New-Jake as I get up to tidy the kitchen. Batman walks in unannounced. He greets both of us and sits down at the island beside Jake to read the paper. Jake stares at him until Batman looks up and says What? and then, caught, Jake holds out the half-eaten toast. Breakfast? I laugh behind my hands and Batman regards me coolly.
What are you up to, Bridget?
Cleaning up before we leave.
I mean with Satan.
Keeping the peace. I stand my ground. It's a tile, twelve by twenty-four. Sicilian baroque.
He is amused. He looks at Jake and then stands and comes over to me, right up close until he is breathing my air and he softens finally. I worry about you.
It's a club now, is it? I'm going to lose it. My eyes are watering madly and my knees shake.
It's always been a club. Bridget, look around you. Don't you see how everyone tightens up when Caleb bends your ear? We all want what's best for you.
Because I'm the child.
Because you've been through enough.
I don't play the sympathy card.
I know. I admire you for that.
You shouldn't. My chin is quavering and he's such a gentleman, he changes the subject.
Where to for lunch today, Bridget? You decide.
Red Lobster or Chipotle. (Jake begins to laugh and I ignore him.)
Batman sighs. Where are they?
Um...Richmond, I think?
Are you sure you don't want to go downtown?
I don't think this city is big enough for you and Caleb and he's already heading there, to the hotel for lunch.
Amusement lights up his face. I think sometimes you're right, Bridget. It might not be big enough. We're too old for these games but at the same time I made a promise and I intend to keep it. He checks his watch and I am put in my place, neatly and with finesse.
I don't think Cole ever intended me to be a burden to you, ______. I say his name softly and he stops, surprised.
Bridget, who said you were a burden?
You just did. Saying you're too old for this.
Hell, Bridget, this keeps me young and as a bonus I get to see your beautiful face whenever I want. Caleb isn't a threat to me. I am mindful of your history with him as well as his role as a threat to you.
Tell me about it. The history part, I mean. Tell me what you know.
I don't think I have to, Bridget. I heard there are tapes if your memory is lacking.
Was that a bad joke?
The very worst. He winks at me and changes the subject once more. Chipotle. Really?
If we can find it. If not, I know where the Chuck-E-Cheese is in Langley.
You age me. Do you know that?
Where do you want to eat? Room service in your stuffy hotel?
What's wrong with room service?
It's boring.
Now you're calling me boring? But I'm the Batman!
Oh my God. You did not just say that.
I did. Now come on. Alfred's waiting.
Alfred...what?
I'm kidding. Sadly. I drove my own car here. But if you really want to drive to McWhatever, I'll call you Alfred and then we'll have the full Dark Knight experience.
Really?
No, Bridget, and after today I'm picking the restaurants.
You mean it's room service from here on out.
I don't even need a menu. I have it memorized. He struts out the door like a peacock. I grab my bag and follow. Jake throws the toast at me as I pass and I duck.
(Update: I question the existence of the Chipotle, which we never did find. We wound up at the hotel. Had room service. He ordered from memory. It was good. The end.)