“You’ve got groove,” I said, smiling for the first time that day.
We messed around for a while, then noticing the time, I said, “How about if I give you a little pad to practice on? Would you like that?”
He looked disappointed. Manuel rarely had someone to connect with. I suspected that was why he enjoyed my mom’s classes. My heart cried for the little fellow.
“Do you want to come down to the beach? I’ve got a boogie board here somewhere.”
“Oh yeah!” His face lit up.
An hour later, as I waited for Manuel, Tamara tottered in. Her eyes wandered over my naked chest.
“Mm… you’re being a pussy teaser.” She chuckled.
I couldn’t tell what pissed me off the most, that she was eye-fucking me around her son or that she completely ignored the poor kid, who’d come running in clutching a boogie board.
“Are you ready, little man?” I asked.
He nodded.
Tamara rolled her eyes and staggered off.
I hoped her disinterest in her son wouldn’t affect him.
As I clasped his little hand, an overwhelming need to shield him from harm made my heart swell.