The House Keeper

37.

"That was my boss. He was treating me out for dinner, I had a very bad week." A very emotional week.

Percy nodded. It was the night I told Oliver about me not being engaged, after Percy had interrupted us.

"I understand. I just wanted to apologise."

I watched Cody before looking back at Percy. "What are you doing here?"

"I had a family do on for my parents anniversary. I was just about to leave when I saw you."

I didn't know what to say. I never actually met his family.

"What are you doing here?" Percy asked me. It wasn't that strange of a question, he was curious, because, why would I be here if I didn't have Cody with me?

I turned to Cody. He was now picking up rocks and looking at them before placing them back.

"Working."

Percy frowned for a minute. "Oh yes." He followed my eye sight. "So that little boy there?"

"Yes. That's Cody." Percy knows about Cody. I used to rave about him, even when I tried not to.

Cody ran up to me and showed me a colourful rock. "Cool." I smiled at him. "Can you find another?"

I spun my head to Percy. "Honestly, you actually hurt me saying those things." I need to swallow this tablespoon of courage while I still had it.

Percy looked at the ground. Was he truly ashamed? "I'm sorry, Monty. I guess we were both hurting."

I folded my arms and shifted my weight. Can this get any more awkward? "Is that all, Percy?"

"I want another chance, Monty."

I frowned. I was the one that turned him down. Why would he want another chance? Did he truly miss me? Well, yeah, for him to say he was hurting.

"Another chance?" I asked him. I kept an eagle eye on Cody.

"Yes," I felt his hand on my arm. "How about dinner?"

I shook my head as I sighed. "I can't do dinner."

"Oh. Okay. I get it. I understand." Was his sad but low voice.

"Percy, I can't do dinner, tonight." I turned my head to him.

Percy's face lit up. "So when?"

"I don't know." I answered truthfully. It all depended on when Oliver came back.

Oliver...

I bit down on my lip as Cody looked at us and frowned. Speaking of Oliver, I could see him on Cody's face right now.

"How about lunch?" I breathed out as I turned to him. Cody would be getting hungry by now.

Cody ran up to us and took my hand as he looked up at Percy.

"Who are you?" Was his blunt question.

I knelt down to him. "Cody, this is my friend Percy."

Cody eyed Percy before turning to me. "Monty. I'm hungry. Can we have lunch please?"

"Sure."

"There is a little Cafe just up that hill there." Percy pointed in the direction.

I agreed and we started walking up there. I held Cody's hand with one of mine as I held my dress down from the wind blowing it with my other hand.

I sat Cody down at an empty table and looked at the menu. "Cody, sweetheart." I leaned towards him. "Do you want some nuggets? A cheeseburger? Sandwiches?" I asked as I read the menu.