Love Mia, Love Jimmy

Chapter Five

Jimmy's POV

The sun floods my room, it gathering in pools on the hardwood floor. I roll over, checking my alarm clock. Nine zero three. I sit up slowly, doing my best to adjust my eyes to the light. Gary is asleep at the foot of my bed, her back going up and down slowly.

I head to my adjoining bathroom, eager to feel the warm water on my back, have it unclench my muscles and my shoulders. Once I'm out, I change into some jeans and a cable knit sweater. Gary sits on my bed, tilting her head to look at me.

When Nan left, one of the things Gloria did was buy new sheets for the bed. I can't tell you why. I think because they smelled so much like Nan, and Gloria knew that. I think it helps me not think about her though when I lay down, because I can't smell her.

Down the stairs I ascend, Gary on my heels. As I round the corner towards the kitchen, I'm hit with the smell of bacon and eggs. Winnie and Franny sit at the counter, Franny plowing through eggs while Winnie chugs a glass of milk. Mia leans against the corner, her back to me as she sips a cup of tea or coffee or something.

"Hi Daddy!" Franny does her best to wave at me, a small smile on her face as Winnie talks for them.

"Hi girls, enjoying your breakfast?" Mia turns to look at me, pointing to the stove where a plate piled high with food sits.

"Eggs and bacon. Eat please. If you need toast I can make toast."

"This will be fine, thank you." I head to the other end of the kitchen, where there is a breakfast nook. One of my favorite places in the house, I used to sit here on early weekend mornings and work on show stuff. I don't do much of that anymore.

I eat in silence as Winnie and Fran finish their food, Winnie asking Mia question after question. I am on my last piece of bacon when Mia slides herself down across from me.

Today, her hair is down and really wavy. She wears another cardigan, this time a red one and a green floral shirt underneath. She has the pearl necklace and the bracelet on, and today she even wears a set of pearl earrings to match.

"Can I ask you one question?" I push my plate away, a few stray eggs here and there. She pushes it back.

"Finish."

"I'm full."

"No, you're not. When's the last time you ate breakfast?"

"I don't know."

"Exactly. Finish your eggs please."

"Fine." I shove the rest of the eggs in, licking my plate as I do. She cracks a smile, allowing a small laugh to escape.

"Thank you."

"Can I ask a question now?"

"If it's the first ten digits of pi or what is the best flavor of cheese, I can't answer them."

"What?"

"I can only remember the first nine digits and I'm always stuck between cheddar and blue cheese, but I find myself leaning more towards blue."

"Again, what?"

"You asked if you could ask a question, I told you two you could not ask because I couldn't answer them, and now you're confused?"

"Yes. Very much so." She cocks her eyebrow and tilts her head in just a way that I can't help it.

I laugh.

"That is quite an odd thing, Ms. Wilson." I'm met with a twinkle of the eyes. Calm Jim.

"Jimmy, if I'm going to be working for you, you must know that I am odd, and my oddness will probably rub off on your children."