Baby Kisses (9 page)

The next morning, Tooty couldn't bring herself to look directly into Miles' eyes. Whenever she tried, she felt her face turn all shades of pink.

He motioned for her to follow him to his office. "Go ahead and sit behind the desk. I've got the computer ready to go. You can check emails first and then proofread after that."

Tooty sat in the expensive leather chair and tapped on the keyboard.

Miles started to wheel his chair around, but paused. "Tooty, are you okay? You seem kind of subdued."

"Oh, I'm fine," she lied. "Just getting used to being away from home."

"You're not worried about Harris, are you? Myrna will take good care of him."

"Of course not. I know he's having a blast helping her bake cookies."

Miles studied her face and she still refused to meet his eyes. Finally, he said he had meetings the rest of the day and that evening. He said he'd see her tomorrow and they'd go sightseeing. She wondered if Monica was included in his evening's activity or if she was going to join them tomorrow. Tooty sure hoped not.

Harris was up almost at the crack of dawn. "Mister Brightperson said he's gonna take us to some fun places today."

"Bright
man,
Harris."

In his pajamas, Harris jumped up and down on the bed. "Is it time to go yet, Mommy?"

"Not yet, sweetie. I don't think anyone's up." Tooty stretched and grinned at her sweet little son. "Come give Mommy a hug." She held her arms open and Harris plopped into them.

"I love you, Mommy. You're the bestest!"

"Harris, you're the bestest, too!"

"I sure hope those other people don't go with us. They're not fun."

Silently, Tooty agreed. "Hey, why don't you grab your storybook and I'll read to you for awhile. Then we'll get dressed."

"Okay." Harris jumped off the bed and darted to his backpack. Before Tooty had finished reading, he'd fallen back to sleep. Snuggling with him, she drifted, too.

Tooty glanced at the clock; seven. At least they'd gotten some more rest. She slipped from the bed to decide what she and Harris should wear for their special day. The dress she'd worn the night of the dinner with Monica and Miles' parents had been a disaster compared to their refined duds. She looked at her selection and laughed. She was a country girl through and through, no doubt about it. Chuckling, she grabbed a pair of Levis and peasant blouse with a draw string closure and headed into the bathroom for a shower. Harris walked in as she was tucking her blouse into her waistband.

"You look pretty, Mommy."

She slipped her belt with its buckle of polished stones into the loops of her jeans. "Thanks, honey. I laid some clothes out for you on the chair. Run get dressed and then come back and brush your teeth. We have a big day ahead of us."

Harris happily obeyed and Tooty gave herself one last glance in the mirror.
I am who I am and I don't apologize.
Instead of opting for boots, she slipped on tennis shoes—not quite a fashion statement. By the time she'd applied a little blusher, brows and lipstick, Harris was back and talking a mile a minute. Tooty pulled a wet comb through his unruly curls.

Shortly before eight, she held Harris' hand and they followed the hallway to the living room and then passed through the dining room and into the kitchen. Myrna was bustling around opening cupboards and pulling out dishes. "Good morning," she said cheerily. I'll have breakfast ready in a jiffy. Mr. Brightman said I was to make pancakes with strawberries and whipped cream for Harris."

Harris grinned, "Oh, boy!"

"Would you like the same, Tooty? I can make you an omelette if you prefer?"

"I'd love the pancakes and strawberries."

"Can I pour you a cup of coffee?"

"Yes, please."

"Harris, would you like some orange juice or apple juice?" Myrna asked, and walked to the fridge after she handed Tooty her coffee.

"I'd like orange juice."

Tooty raised an eyebrow.

"Please," he added.

"What can I do to help?" Tooty asked Myrna.

"Goodness, nothing. You're guests. Just take a seat at the bar."

Tooty pulled out bar stools and Harris climbed onto one. She glanced around the beautiful kitchen that had a hominess lacking in the rest of the house, and then watched Myrna's efficiency as she stirred batter, got the griddle just the right temperature, and created pancakes worthy of a blue ribbon.

Harris' eyes got real big when she set a masterpiece in front of him. Tooty laughed, "It's almost too pretty to eat."

"But after one bite, you won't be able to stop," said Miles from the doorway.

Tooty's heart flipped and she turned to greet him.

"Good morning, Miles," said Myrna. "I'll have yours and Tooty's pancakes ready in no time."

Miles rolled to a section of the island that had been designed specifically to accommodate his chair. "Did you sleep well, Tooty?"

"Yes–"

"When do we get to go have fun?" Harris interrupted.

"Harris, it's not polite to interrupt people when they're talking," Tooty reminded him.

Harris said with his mouthful, "Sorry, Mommy."

Myrna poured batter on the griddle and it sizzled.

Miles sipped the coffee Myrna had placed in front of him. "After we eat we'll head out for the day. How would you like to go to the zoo?"

Harris bounced in his chair. "Yes! I love animals!"

Miles looked at Tooty, "Is that okay with you?"

"Oh, yes, we'd love to go to the zoo!"

While they were eating, Harvey joined them and Miles gave him instructions. Shortly after breakfast, they exited the building and climbed into the limousine. Tooty felt an overwhelming sense of relief when no one joined them. It looked like it was just her, Harris, and Miles spending the day together.

And what a day it turned out to be. The zoo was in Central Park and they spent a couple of hours visiting fabulous environments mimicking natural habitats. Harris loved the polar bears, penguins, ants, snakes, and especially the apes and monkeys. When he got tired, Miles set him on his lap and wheeled him around, which Harris loved. Tooty took lots of pictures with a disposable camera. For lunch, Miles bought them hotdogs and sodas. Afterward, he took them to a carousel. Tooty lifted Harris onto an ornate white horse with blue strappings and climbed on the one next to him. Together they sailed round and round. Laughing, she waved and grinned at Miles as they whizzed past.

After riding the carousel, Miles took them to a magnificent tree lined walkway. "This is called the Literary Walk." While Harris dozed on Miles' lap, they perused the many statutes—Shakespeare, Robert Burns, Sir Walter Scott, Christopher Columbus. Miles paused beside a bench and Tooty sat down. "Are you getting tired?" he asked.

"Oh, no. I'm having a lovely day. Thank you for taking time to show us around. I know you're very busy."

Miles studied her face but didn't reply. They sat in peaceful reflection until Harris stirred and asked where they were going now. Miles grinned, "I think you'll like this." He pressed the lever on his wheelchair with one hand and lifted his cell phone with the other. "We're on our way," he said to someone and hung up.

Tooty gave him a questioning look but he only smiled back.

Harris said, "I can walk now." Miles stopped and he jumped off his lap.

After a stop at the bathroom they continued on to a secret location. Harris shouted, "Look at that!" He ran forward and Tooty rushed after him. She heard Miles chuckle.

A lovely pond with miniature boats sailing across it had captured Harris' attention. He rushed to the edge with such an expression of wonder that Tooty felt her heart expand. All children should experience days like today.

Miles rolled next to them. "This pond is called Conservatory Water. I used to come here as a child and sail my boat." He looked past Tooty and nodded at someone. She turned around.

Harvey walked toward them with a big grin and carrying a miniature sailboat. Harris' eyes got big and he said, "Wow, you got a nice boat."

Harvey handed the boat to Miles and Harris jumped from one leg to the other. "You gonna put it in the water, Mister Brightperson?"

"Actually, Harris, I was thinking you should put it in the water, because it's your boat." He handed it to Harris.

Tooty lifted a hand to her mouth to keep from shouting her joy.

Harris reached for and held the boat as if it were a newborn kitten. While Miles explained the remote control, Tooty gulped back tears. For the rest of the afternoon, she sat on a bench and thrilled at watching Harris, Miles, and Harvey steer the sailboat around the pond. She even gave it a try herself.

As the day waned, and Harris showed signs of exhaustion, Miles handed the boat to Harvey and lifted Harris onto his lap again. Harvey hurried away while Tooty strolled leisurely with Miles back to the limo. "I think this is the best day Harris has ever had," she said sincerely. "Actually, it's one of the best days I've ever had, too."

"I'm glad," Miles said softly.

They paused to let some tourists pass and in a spontaneous gesture, Tooty bent and kissed his cheek. "Thank you for today."

Tooty heard voices and looked up from the computer screen to see Monica and Mrs. Brightman enter Miles' office. She pasted on a smile. However, knowing that she was leaving New York the next day made her happy, so her smile turned into a genuine one.

"Hello Tooty," said Monica with fake enthusiasm. Mrs. Brightman gave her a stiff nod.

"Good morning, Monica, Mrs. Brightman."

Monica continued, "We'd like you to join us for lunch today."

"Oh, thank you, but really I can't. I need to finish–"

"We're not taking no for an answer. We insist. In fact, we've already talked to Myrna and she's more than willing to watch Harris. You're leaving tomorrow and we haven't spent time with you. We'll be waiting at the limo at noon. Harvey will have it pulled to the front of the building."

Mrs. Brightman agreed, "Yes, we insist. Besides, Miles would want us to have a girls' day out, and you'll get to meet his sister, Cecelia. Oh, and you should probably wear a dress. The one you wore the other night would be fine."

Before Tooty could voice another objection, the women forced more fake smiles and said a hasty goodbye. Tooty wondered if she should develop a headache. The ladies obviously didn't like her so why had they invited her to lunch? She sighed and decided to join them because it
was
Miles' mother and his girlfriend. She would do it out of respect for him.

Shortly before noon she changed her clothes and walked to the kitchen to kiss Harris goodbye. Myrna was setting a bowl of macaroni and cheese in front of him and Tooty longed to join them. The food looked and smelled delicious, and she would have enjoyed chatting with Myrna. Sighing, she kissed her little guy and headed toward the elevator clutching her purse. She wondered what lunch would cost. She had a whopping fifty-six dollars and eleven cents.

A few minutes before twelve, she walked past the glass door held open by the doorman. Scanning the curb, she caught sight of Harvey standing beside Miles' limo. He waved and she rushed toward him. He opened the door and she ducked inside.