Behind The Mask

Chapter 52

Michael's POV

"Hurry up, Manny! We're gonna be late!"

"Yes, yes, wait a minute! My bathing trunks! Where are my bathing trunks?"

"In your suitcase already!" yells Nooki.

"Oh...right! Alright, I'm ready!"

Finally we can get this vacation started. I sigh and sit in the van and slide just enough to let Nooki sit by my side and have her nicely cornered against the door. Manny clambers in the front seat and we're off. We are going to Florida for a while. I need to get rid of pressure from Sony officials and get in touch with my creativity again. Anouk is on vacation from college, too, so it pans perfectly.

"Ready for some major fun?"

"It's always major fun when you're involved, goofball!"

She grins mischievously and I put my arm around her shoulders, pulling her closer into me.

"If I didn't have those bastards on my back 24/7, we would have gone to South Africa, to join your mother and Wayne."

"Seriously, Mike? Mom just wants some quality time with Wayne without anyone breathing down their neck for a while."

"Oh....ooooooh!"

"Ooooooh, indeed. Last chance for both of them to get some premarital s-e-x."

"What last chance, Nooki?"

"Nothing, Manny. Stuff about the hotel business."

"How do you do it?" I whisper to her.

"What?"

"Make up stuff like that when Manny overhears things he shouldn't?"

"Goes with the territory. Or would you like to explain sex to Manny?"

"No, I wouldn't."

Manny, the man-child. People call me that, but Manny is truly a child trapped inside the body of an adult. I wouldn't find the proper words to explain to him the full nature of my relationship with Nooki. I wouldn't even try to ruin his innocence. Of course, it will get harder, especially after I finally marry Nooki, and we have children....

I start daydreaming about my family life with Nooki. I start dreaming about our children. I know she won't deny me this. I know that as soon as we are married she will stop taking those pills and we will create a child.

"Hey, Mr. Dreamer! It seems we arrived at the airport."

"Ouch! Your elbow is sharp, girl."

"Good, because nothing else worked to get your attention."

"You're evil."

"Maak gou!"

"What did you say?"

"Maak gou, lui seuntjie!"

"Manny, what did she say?"

Manny was cracking up.

"She said: hurry up, lazy boy."

"Oh yeah? How do I tell her she's an evil little twerp?"

"I heard that already!"

"Alright, alright, let's get in the plane already."

Remember that I hate flying. I am not looking forward to the next 3 hours. Manny settled down with a video game really quickly and within minutes forgot where he was altogether. I wish I could do the same.