The China Doll Read Free

but kept his
hand there. "No, you didn’t. Mitch said something though—at the
time I didn’t really get it."
    "That’s fair, since that whole period is sort
of blurry for me too."
    "I was really sorry when it happened," Martin
said, putting his hand down. "I would have come for a visit, but
Mitch said it wasn’t a good idea."
    Jessie smiled and closed the refrigerator
door. "I guess it wasn’t. But it was sweet of you anyway."
    Martin smiled in spite of himself. She was
just about as tall as he was. She had such beautiful grey eyes, and
such a nice, husky voice. "I try."
    "I don’t think so. I think that’s just the
way you are." Before he could say anything, Jessie pulled him in
for a kiss. He was surprised, but he didn’t stop her. He put his
hand on her cheek and pulled her closer.
    She pulled away after a minute. "That was
nice," she said softly.
    Martin grimaced and pulled back himself. "And
that’s something I am too, Jess. I’m a nice guy, and there’s kind
of an unwritten rule about men my age and girls your age."
    "I’ll have you know that I am now a sophomore
in college. Not only that, I voted in the last election, and I
refuse to be called a girl after that."
    Martin smiled. "But I’m afraid you’re still
not allowed into a bar."
    "Then I guess you’d be surprised at the
things I’ve gotten away with...or just done."
    Martin blinked. He needed to leave the
kitchen. "Jess, I’m too old for you."
    "I’m just a year younger than Emily was when
she married Mitch."
    "And I’m three years older than Mitch
was."
    "You know, there’s nothing I can do about
that, right? Is it fair to penalize me because I have to drink at
home?"
    "I’m not trying to penalize you, Jess,"
Martin said softly. "I’m just trying to do the right thing."
    "And why are you so sure this isn’t it?"
    "I guess it’s that nice guy thing again," he
said a little sadly.
    She shrugged. The thing about not being in
the habit of wanting things was the memory of how that felt. "Enjoy
that then." Before Martin could say anything, Jessie walked out of
the kitchen. He followed. Everyone was looking at the two of them.
Jessie frowned. "Oh for God’s sake! I kissed him, okay? He was a
perfect gentleman though, so perfect that it’s not going to happen
again." She grabbed her jacket and kissed Helen. "I’ll see you
tomorrow sweetie," and then she slammed the door behind her.
    Richard folded his arms and looked at Martin.
"You kissed my eighteen year old cousin?"
    "She kissed me!" Martin said pleadingly.
    "And of course you stopped her, right?"
    Zainab and Miranda couldn’t contain their
laughter. They knew exactly who had run that show. Emily was
looking down at the floor so she wouldn’t break out too. "Oh, quiet
you two!" Richard said scornfully.
    "Richard," Mitch said calmly, "nothing
happened."
    "Since when is a kiss nothing?" Richard said
with a fury so uncharacteristic even Helen stopped what she was
doing. Before anyone could say anything, Richard’s phone rang.
"Hello?" he answered. "Okay," he said before he hung up and looked
at Zainab. "I’m sorry, I have to go, something—"
    Zainab forced a smile. "Something came up at
work," she said for him. He blinked, and then smiled. "It’s
alright. Just go—make sure it doesn’t get out of hand."
    "Thanks sweetheart," he said, kissing her
forehead. She closed her eyes and patted his arm. "Sorry guys, do
you mind cleaning up?"
    Emily waved him away. "We’ve got this—go put
out your fire."
    "Thanks—see you all later." He grabbed his
coat and then left. Zainab turned around after the door shut and
Miranda and Emily looked at each other.
    "So, um, why don’t Mitch and I watch Helen
while you guys clean up?" Martin suggested awkwardly.
    "That sounds great," Mitch said, collapsing
onto the couch and closing his eyes.
    Emily sighed with exasperation. "Yeah,
Hellie, just listen to Uncle Martin and don’t get frosting on
anything, okay?"
    "Okay, mama," Helen said before she