“Malcolm,” Sky said, a smile forming on her lips. She’d heard his voice and liberated herself from the corner. This smile was more genuine than the others I’d seen. “I didn’t think I’d see you again!”
"What? How could you miss me? I’m six-six!”
“You know what I mean,” she told him. Skylar punched his arm in play and seemed to have transformed from a skittish cat into a human girl again.
“I said I'd be checking up on you, making sure you're okay," he said. “You are like my favorite person, besides Ms. Lala, and Ms. Claire-bear here.”
“Like your favorite,” she laughed. Skylar grabbed his hand and let him into my small kitchen. She was a delight to be around when she was in his presence, and I think the magic worked the other way around, because Malcolm Miller was a different person when you saw him through Skylar’s eyes.
Sky reached out and grabbed a piece of bacon off the table and took a bite of it. “I was crying and Claire made everything in the fridge for breakfast. Are you hungry?” She tugged on his jacket to help him out it. She came up to his diaphragm and I wasn’t much better. He still had his shoes on, I wasn’t sure if he was staying. He pulled a chair out at the kitchen table and stood behind it. "You gonna eat all this grub alone or what?"
Sky plopped down in a chair, her eyes wide looking at all the food. “I got sick, from eating too much. The pizza and pancakes, remember? Bad combination. So Claire made everything under the sun. She said we’ll find something that works.”
Malcolm nodded and took a slice of bacon himself. “Didn’t like the shelter? Too noisy or what?” he asked her.
“I was really anxious, crying and stuff. Claire said I could come here and stay at her house until I feel well enough. The bed is really comfortable and I have my own space so it’s nice.” Skylar tucked her blonde hair behind her ears and smiled again at Malcolm, this time letting her teeth show. Since, we’d gotten home, I think she’d exchanged five or ten words with me. In front of Malcolm she blossomed like a flower.
“I have to go back with her tomorrow because she has a long shift and I can’t stay here alone.”
“I see. Maybe you can get used to it, little by little.”
Skylar shrugged and smiled at Malcolm. He grinned back at her and their camaraderie was contagious.
"What's your poison?" Malcolm asked as he started loading up a plate with pancakes, bacon, eggs, and some fresh fruit I had laid out.
I felt embarrassed as he grinned at me. "I know it's a lot, but I didn't really know what Sky would eat, so we made everything."
"Enough to feed an army," he chuckled, “good thing I have the appetite of a small army,” he quipped. before turning back to Sky. "Better eat up, or else left overs for days, kiddo."
"Can I have coffee?" Sky asked, her small voice. To me she barely whispered. For Malcolm she spoke up.
"Sure," I said. I rushed to the pot and poured two cups, one for her and one for Malcolm.
He took the cup from me, nodding his head. "Thank you. I live off this stuff."
"You must have to be in your line of work," I said. I poured a cup for myself and took a seat at the table across from him.
The side of Malcolm's lips turned up into a smug smile as he leaned back in his chair, sipping the coffee. "I like your mug."
At first, I thought he meant my face, and I touched my chin absentmindedly. Then, I turned my mug around, reading the letters slowly: I'm a girl who loves big dick. I prayed the ground would open up and swallow me whole. I shot out of my chair and ran to the kitchen, tossing the mug into the sink. I put my face in my hands trying to catch a breath, not knowing whether I should laugh or cry.
"That was from my sister's bachelorette party. I swear. It was her take away," I stammered, desperate to explain it away.
"I'm not judging," Malcolm said just before roaring in laughter. His guffaws were followed by Sky's sweet giggles. We both looked at her. She had her hand over her mouth, trying to stifle the giggles which eventually turned into roars of laughter followed by a snort.
I didn't know what it was about Malcolm, but he'd managed to get through to her, to help her open up. Maybe it was because by saving her, he showed her that she was essential, or perhaps it was his easy street-vibe that she trusted. Whatever it was, I knew he would be vital in her success story. Malcolm Miller made this girl laugh again and he’d move mountains to make sure she didn’t become another statistic.