Learning to Love Again

Chapter 5

Libby pulled up to Mike's house and smiled. Bobby was in the front window waving and smiling back at her. Mike let her in before she ever knocked, and Libby was shocked at how homey the farmhouse was. It was one-story, and open concept. Newly renovated and obviously decorated by a man with dark cabinets and heavy leather furniture.

"Nice place." Libby said. Mike took her jacket and put it in the closet while Libby slipped her shoes off. She had a gift bag full of books and some cards from Bobby's class.

"Thanks. He's settled in well. We're going shopping tomorrow morning. He needs clothes and some toys to occupy him. Come on in." Mike said.

"That's good." Libby said as Bobby approached them with a big smile on his face. He was clean and seemed happier than Libby had ever seen him.

"Miss McDonald! How'd you know I was here?" Bobby asked.

"A little bird told me. I brought you some things from class. Some cards to from your friends. Maybe, Admiral…uh…maybe he'll help you read them?" Libby said. She didn't want to call Mike by his first name, but Admiral Slattery seemed too formal.

"He told me I could call him Mike." Bobby said. They sat down in the living room and Libby began pulling books out. Mike was cooking dinner. Libby realized she hadn't come out at the best time.

"I'm sorry, I didn't realize you were cooking dinner. I can leave. I just wanted to bring that stuff out and check on Bobby." Libby said as she stood up. Mike walked into the living room and smiled at one of the books.

"That was my daughter's favorite. I read it to her every night. Anyways, no. You can stay…if you aren't a vegetarian. We'd love to have you, wouldn't we; Bobby?" Mike asked. He had picked a book up and was looking at it sadly; apparently remembering his daughter.

"Not a vegetarian. Thank you." Libby said and Bobby gave her a massive smile.

"You'll like Mike's cooking. Its even better than the lunch lady's! And there's milk. I didn't have to eat cereal this morning either. He made me pancakes and sausage." Bobby told Libby.

"When he goes to school, we might have to do cereal, but I'll try and cook him hot breakfasts every day. I don't have kid-friendly cereals." Mike said.

"And he has snacks and everything!" Bobby said.

"Did you sleep good?" Libby asked. Mike had gone back into the kitchen to stir whatever it was that he was cooking.

"Yeah. I had a big bed with lots of warm blankets. I did have a bad dream, but Mike came in and talked to me until I went back to sleep. You know, he's got scars on his chest and tummy, kind of like mine?" Bobby said.

"Oh?" Libby said.

"He didn't have his shirt on when he came in to talk to me. It was okay." Bobby said.

"But otherwise, everything is okay?" Libby asked.

"Yeah. I really like it better here. He put my picture of my mom on my dresser where I could see it and he's let me watch about animals all day. Can you come with us tomorrow?" Bobby asked.

"Its up to Admiral Slattery. I don't want to intrude." Libby said.

"What's that?" Bobby asked with a scrunched-up nose.

"It means that I don't want to come if I'm not invited." Libby explained.

"I'm inviting you!" Bobby said simply. He got up and ran into the kitchen. He pulled on Mike's shirt and Mike bent over to talk to him. Libby saw Mike nodding and smiling. He was hanging onto every word that Bobby said.

"Bobby wants you to come with us tomorrow and I think it's a good idea. You understand what kids like him need more than me." Mike said.

"I wouldn't want to intrude." Libby remarked as she walked into the kitchen. Supper smelled delicious.

"You wouldn't. I can pick you up tomorrow at nine am?" Mike asked.

"That's perfect. I'll look forward to it." Libby conceded.

"Supper is served. Bobby, do you want to set the table like you did this afternoon only with another place setting for Libby?" Mike asked.

"Yes, sir!" Bobby said. Mike handed him three plates, three placemats, and a basket of silverware. Mike carried a casserole to the table and Libby grabbed a salad. In no time, they were all sat around the table and were eating.

For Libby, she had never felt like she was in such a home setting. Sure, she was always welcome with Joey, Tamara and their kids but she felt like an interloper. With Mike and Bobby, things felt normal, or what Libby thought of as normal. It was not like she would ever find out what it would be like to eat dinner with a husband and little boy, then cuddle on the couch until the little boy's bedtime. It was simply not in her future.

She helped Mike clean up dinner and was shocked when he walked her to the car. She was not used to men being so gentlemanly to her. Joey was, of course. Her first fiancé had been, but her second fiancé was a little temperamental.

"Thanks for the invitation tomorrow. I don't have to go if you don't want me too." Libby said.

"No, its probably a good idea. Its been a long time since I've shopped for a kid." Mike admitted.

"So, how did things go today with the social worker?" Libby asked.

"It went alright. I have to make some modifications to my house and make things a bit more child-friendly." Mike explained.

"Will you foster him long term?" Libby asked.

"That's the thought. If they can get Jerry's parental rights terminated, Family Services would like for me to adopt him." Mike explained.

"So, what's stopping you?" Libby asked. Bobby was on the porch playing with his toy car, so she kept her voice low.

"A lot ofthings. I'm not sure I am the best placement, because I don't have certain…people in my life." Mike said.

"Because you're single?" Libby asked and then wished she hadn't.

"Partly but not entirely. So, nine am tomorrow?" Mike said as he opened her car door for her.

"Yeah, nine is good. Thanks." Libby said.

"Your welcome. Thanks for the books. Drive safe." Mike answered before shutting her car door.

Libby was completely bewildered by Mike Slattery. She had never met someone so complex. He was charming with the kids, great with Bobby, but was also downright sarcastic and mean. Libby understood that it might be because of all that he lost, but it was confusing.

And there was something else. She was attracted to Mike. He was too old for her, and she hated his attitude, but she also liked the way he had connected with Bobby. None of the men she had been involved with would have taken a child in. Or at least neither of the two that she been involved with. She just didn't know what to do with the attraction, because he didn't feel the same. No way in the world.