Behind The Mask

Chapter 40

Michael’s POV

It’s been almost a week since that horrible incident at Janet’s party. Shall I say that I’m stepping on eggshells around Anouk? Because it’s true, I am. I must say that I’ve become a little paranoid and one day even snapped at poor Manny. It’s so easy to forget that he’s a child trapped into an adult’s body. I was reminded by it when Manny looked back at me with scared eyes and his lower lip started to quiver.

“I’m sorry, Manny. I didn’t mean to shout at you. It’s just that Anouk was ill and she needs peace and quiet.”

“Why was Nooki ill? Did she eat something bad?”

The poor guy can’t grasp the concept of what Lisa did. So I just nod.

“Yeah, she ate something bad.”

“Will you marry Nooki?”

I stop in midstep. He blurted out like any child and he took me by surprise.

“Uuuhhh…what do you know about that?”

“I know that she acts very girly around you. And I know that when some girls start acting girly around guys, they usually marry them.”

I start chuckling. So this is a child’s view on marriage. What a refreshing image!

“Well, I…I’d really like to do that…someday, you know. But you mustn’t tell anything about it to Nooki.”

“Why?”

“Well, because I’m supposed to ask her, silly!” I snicker, patting his back.

“Ooooh! Yeah, that one! Okay, when you ask her, you’re gonna tell me, right?”

“Of course we’re gonna tell you, buddy. But right now, that’s our secret, alright?”

“Scout’s honor!”

This small conversation got me thinking. Am I ready for a new marriage? It’s been 2 years since my divorce. Nooki and I had our ups and downs and we will still have some from now on. But what we share is strong enough to help us overcome everything, right?

“Hey, handsome!”

She sprang from a side room and wrapped her arms around me, making me squeal. I spin around and lift her up in my arms, hugging her tightly.

“Trying to catch me off guard, are you, baby?”

“Can’t blame me for trying.”

She smiles big, dazzling me. Her smile shines. Honestly, it does.

“Never, baby. How do you feel?”

“Back on my legs. Ready to live, you know? Really live. I learned something from what happened at that party.”

“That’s good! What did you learn?”

“Fuck the world. Honestly, I won’t spend one day more in hospital because of what people say or think about me. It’s my life, I have only one. I’m not gonna live caring about how others see me.”

I smile and kiss her again.

“Good girl! That’s the spirit. So, are you ready to hit the city with me today?”
She pouts.

“Actually, I hoped I’d get the chance to beat your skinny ass at those cool arcade games you got. I never got a chance to play with you, like Manny did.”

“Baby, we can play, but I guarantee you won’t win. Not even Manny did.”

“Jackson, remember what happened with the water balloon fight? You may want to revise your high opinions of yourself.”