Chapter 10

John could not sit forever at his post in the kitchen ogling Billie. He wished he could. He wanted very much to do just that, to continue to speak to her about food, dinner, and anything else equally as trivial. Audrey had given them little attention. She joined in their conversation and heard them speaking but was unaware of the attraction each of them held. Should he sit there any longer she might begin to notice, and things would happen if he continued to stare at Billie. He stood, excused himself and than retreated upstairs. Striding down the hall he came to Mary's door and knocked. After hearing the mumble of her permission he entered.

"Hey girl," he peaked in, seeing his niece tucked into her bed. She gave him a weary smile and he ventured forward, sitting on the edge of the mattress. She looked a tad uncomfortable and tired, he reaching out a hand to feel her forehead. "How you feelin'?"

"Just a little sick," she shrugged. "It'll pass."

Her temperature was nothing outrageous and he let his hand drop, presuming her ailment to be nothing too detrimental. For all he knew it could be some womanly pain and he cared very little to learn more about that, especially in his young niece. Her glance went to the slightly ajar door, not able to hear anything from the lower level of the house from where she lay. "Is Billie still here?" she asked hopefully. John nodded.

"Yeah, she's downstairs making dinner with Ma." He tried hard to fight back the smile that wanted to cross his features at remembering the scene. A similar idea no doubt crossing Mary's mind she smiled too.

"Oh, she's so sweet..." She imagined her friend, alone in a guests house and reverting to work to pass the time. No doubt Billie would feel guilty having let her mother sweat over a whole dinner if she did not aid the household in some way. It was just like her and the awareness of what a kind friend she had made warmed Mary. Turning to her uncle she watched his face, his fingers distractedly tracing the quilt upon the bed. "You like her, don't you?"

The question was asked so sincerely and with such curiosity John lifted his head up instantly. Did he like her? He had hardly given the thought, the actual feeling, enough reflection. Was it obvious? What did she even mean? He worked to control his expression and sound normal. "What?"

"You think she's a good friend, right? I mean, for me to be hanging around someone older..."

He understood then. She was looking for approval. She valued his opinion highly and for a person her age, having a friend slightly different from herself wasn't typical. There could be many things wrong about the pairing, or that seemed inappropriate, and John felt himself quite genuinely relived of the situation. There was nothing wrong with the girls' friendship. As far as he was concerned, Mary had chosen her companion perfectly. She had not at all meant his preference toward Billie in a romantic way, but it was his first thought.

"Yeah, I like her."

May didn't know how much of that statement was true, and neither did John himself.

This answer pleased her. Despite her physical discomfort she was more at ease. Resting back on her pillows she made a playfully dramatic gesture with her arms. "Oh! I hope I don't feel like this later... The dance is Saturday night!"

He chuckled lightly, resting back on his elbow. With more thought the humor faded from his face. "You got a date? I don't think I want you-"

"Uncle Johnnie, I don't. But," she added quickly with more excitement, "Samuel Lewis said he'd dance with me! All the dances I wanted!"

"Oh yeah?" John couldn't help but laugh lightly again, resting his whole back against the mattress. He starred up at the ceiling, tucking his arms under head and imagining a time he'd almost forgotten. He wasn't much for school dances. In fact he wasn't much for school at all. He was more likely skipping class or doing something else he shouldn't when those circumstances arose. Mary went on to tell him about the dresses the other girls were going to wear and how her new one was just all that. She would be unique and attractive and the center of attention. It was funny what a little dress would do and he took great pleasure in the fact that it was his generosity that gave her those feelings. He wondered, and hoped, that Billie felt the same way.

"Say," Mary spoke, light and curiously, her gaze fluttering toward the man with interest. She sat up in bed and hovered over his face. "Do you have a girlfriend, Uncle Johnnie? Why don't you have a woman?"

His expression turned into a smirk. It was relatively easy for him get women when he wanted, several at a time too. The man had a reputation. He knew what the girl meant though and had to admit, none of those encounters were what any of them would consider a real relationship. His niece was young and dreamy; she probably imagined, and wished him, to find real companionship. "I'd get one if I wanted," he replied casually, as if there was nothing to it.

She gave a wry smile. "Don't you want one?"

What was easy for him was getting a girl. He didn't have to try too hard. In fact, sometimes he didn't have to try at all, but all that resulted in a certain kind of woman. Those things were quick and fleeting and most of the time those women were all the more interested in what he had than what he was. For those that knew he could offer anything materially, they fell for the money. As a man he had less luck. He opened his mouth to reply but was interrupted with a voice calling up the stairs. Dinner was ready and for that moment he was glad of the distraction.

Sitting up he stretched out his limbs with a sigh. "Why don't I bring you up some dinner later?"

Mary agreed pleasantly and allowed the mans dismissal.