Finding Isadora(48)

She arrived twenty minutes later, petite and sleek in black leggings and a long pink top that brought rosy color to her cheeks. As we began chopping and slicing, she said, “How’s it going with Jimmy Lee?”

I brought her up to date, which took us all the way through dinner preparation. As we worked, Alice came and sat on the floor between us, shamelessly begging for shrimp. We tossed her a few, and I saved a handful for Peek-a-boo.

When Jan and I sat down at my small dinette table, she was chuckling over the way my parents had taken in Alyssa. “Your folks don’t give a damn about rules. I could never be like that, but I kind of admire them.”

“I admire that they’re so committed to doing what they think is right. I just wish it didn’t get them in trouble so often.”

“That’s definitely the down-side of breaking the rules.”

We shared other news, then she said, “I’m going to miss this when you and Richard are living together.”

“Oh, he’ll still be away a lot of the time. That’s the main reason we’re moving in together, so we’ll actually see each other once a day.”

“Hmm. But Izzie, don’t you want more than that?”

“Eventually. We have long-term goals in mind, so we don’t mind some sacrifices.”

“You’re so practical. Me, I’d want more romance.”

The conversation was making me uncomfortable, so I changed the topic. “Weren’t you and Martin having coffee yesterday?” He hadn’t been working today, so I hadn’t heard how it had gone.

“Yup,” she mumbled, head down as she loaded her chopsticks.

“And?”

She glanced up, her cheeks even pinker. “He’s a nice guy and I think I can help him.”

“That’s great! Thanks, Jan.”

“Mmm.” She chewed, seeming to take a long time about it.

“So,” I prompted, “you suggested some books for him to read, or what?”

“Loaned him some of mine.”

“Oh?” I processed the few things she’d said, plus the fact she was being uncharacteristically parsimonious with words. “He went over to your place?”

“Sure. We couldn’t spend hours in a coffee shop.” She sounded almost defensive.

Hours? “No, of course not.” I studied her closely while she busied herself eating, pretending she wasn’t aware of my scrutiny. Something odd was going on.

Finally, she looked up and glared at me. “What?”

“Jan, you’re not, uh, interested in Martin, are you?”

“Of course not! He’s a kid.” She helped herself to more rice from the serving bowl, even though she still had a pile of it on her plate, then glared at me again. “Well, no, he’s not a kid. But he’s a lot younger than me. Anyhow, what if I were? You’re the one who’s always saying what a nice guy he is, and how much you respect him.”

“That certainly clarifies matters,” I teased. Well, how about that? Jan liked Martin. Did he feel the same way?

For a minute or two we ate in silence, then I said, “Just to go on record here, I do think he’s a fine man. And normally I’d think a six year age difference is a bit much, but he’s way more mature than other guys his age. So, I’m just saying, if you ever did decide you’re interested, I wouldn’t think you were crazy.” But I couldn’t help wondering how she’d feel if she found out Martin had once turned tricks to finance his crack habit. Hopefully it wouldn’t matter, but Janice’s life had been more sheltered than mine and her parents were extremely conservative.

“Hmm.” Another couple of minutes passed. “Does he date much?”

I held back a chuckle. “He’s pretty busy with schoolwork, the vet clinic, and some volunteer work he does with First Nations kids. I’ve heard him talk about one or two young women, but it’s never sounded serious.” I also knew he’d spent a lot of time in therapy, trying to develop a healthy attitude toward sex and relationships.

“Chinese and Cree.” She made a face. “My parents are still on my case to date nice Chinese boys. Guess there’s no way I could persuade them he was just a rather odd-looking Chinese guy?”

“I think they’d figure it out,” I said dryly. “You’re saying you really are interested?”

She groaned and buried her face in her hands, her black hair waterfalling around her. “No, yes, I don’t know. It’s too early to tell.” She lifted her head and narrowed her eyes in concentration. “But there’s this weird kind of … thing between us. At least it seems that way to me. Chemistry, or something. Even with Jeremy, although I was attracted to him, I didn’t feel that … thing. You know what I mean?”

Of course I did. It was the same thing I felt when I was with Gabriel. “You think he’s hot. And you think he feels that way about you?”

Another groan. “How the hell would I know, Izzie? Remember me? I’m the one with the jammed radar.” She picked up her chopsticks and tapped them gently against the side of her plate. “Maybe you could find out for me?”

My turn to groan. “I swear, when I suggested you tutor him, I had no idea it was going to get this complicated.”

She shrugged, then tossed me a mischievous grin. “Ah, but life’s only interesting when it’s complicated.”