Don’t forget, you fed me.
She laughed. I fed you pizza. Plus you spent so much time teaching Dash. Two hundred isn’t enough.
Okay. Two fifty.
She smiled and shook her head as though exasperated, and Manus wondered with both unease and excitement if she was pleased at the low price as much for what it might indicate about his intentions as she was about receiving such a good deal.
All right, you drive a hard bargain. I accept — on condition that you help me finish the wine. No sense wasting it, right?
His ambivalence worsened, and he hesitated. Then he reminded himself this was what the director wanted.
That would be nice. Thank you.
The boy returned. He signed, Thank you for building me a loft, Mr. Manus. And for letting me help.
You’re a good helper, Manus signed. Remember, don’t choke up when you’re using a hammer.
I know, the boy signed back, and pantomimed a solid hammer swing.
And keep your free hand out of the way.
The boy smiled and nodded, then signed, We have tickets to the Os’ last regular season home games. Want to come?
Manus hesitated, not knowing how to respond. The woman saved him by laughing and signing, Mr. Manus has a busy schedule, hon. And so do you — bedtime!
Can I read?
It’s really late, so just ten minutes, okay? Then lights out. Need the bathroom?
The boy shook his head, then stepped close and gave Manus a hug. It made Manus feel strange, as it had at the baseball game, but he patted the boy on the shoulder again and that seemed okay. The boy stepped back and hugged the woman, who kissed him on top of the head.
Ten minutes for real, Dash. No flashlight.
The boy gave her a small busted smile, went into his room, and climbed up into his loft. The woman closed the door, and they went back to the kitchen. A moment later, the boy walked in. Bathroom? The woman signed. The boy nodded a little sheepishly and went off. The woman smiled and shook her head. That’s my son. Either he doesn’t need the bathroom at all, or he needs it right away. Nothing in between.
I was like that, too. Too many interesting things going on. It’s easy to forget the everyday ones.
Manus sat while the woman filled two glasses. She leaned forward a bit as she poured, and before he could stop it, Manus’s gaze went to that area, that maddening area with its swells and shadows and contrasts. He looked away, trying to concentrate. The director wanted to know if she was happy at work, or stressed, or thinking of leaving. He didn’t know how to ask about any of that without being obvious. All he had really noticed was that she seemed happy. Though maybe there was something a little sad behind the happiness. But who wasn’t that true for?
The woman sat and took a sip of wine. It was really nice of you to come out here on a Sunday, she signed. And for such a small job.
Manus shook his head. It was nothing. He’s a good kid.
The woman beamed. The best.
How old was he when he lost his hearing?
Three.
That’s why he signs so well.
Yes.
You learned for him?
Of course. And you? Were your parents deaf?
No.
Did they learn sign?
My mother did.
Not your father?
The legend was that Manus’s father had died when Manus was an infant. Manus’s hands came up to tell her that, and instead wound up shaping the unfamiliar words, My father wasn’t a good guy.
What do you mean?
Manus didn’t know why he had said what he’d said. Instead, he took a sip of wine, then signed, It’s a long story.
I’m not in a hurry.
It was strange, the way he wanted to tell her things. He almost felt she would understand. But he reminded himself he needed her to talk to him.
So what do you do at the NSA? he signed, careful to use the outsider’s the. Can you talk about it, or is it all secret?
It is pretty secret, actually. But also nothing all that interesting.
You like it?
She sipped her wine. It’s technically challenging. I have a computer science background, and there aren’t that many fields where I could apply it the way I do in my job. So there’s that. But it’s not such a practical skill set, is it? I mean, I wish I could build a loft for Dash.
He recognized she might have been steering the conversation away from herself. Still, he signed, You’re happy, then?
She looked at him closely, so closely Manus had to look away. Then she got up and walked off. Manus wondered if he’d said something wrong, and tried to figure out what it could be. But she returned a moment later and signed, He’s out cold. You must have worn him out.
Manus was relieved — she had only been going to check on the boy. He signed, I didn’t mean to.
No, it’s good. I’m glad you were teaching him. His father was never very good with tools.
Was?
Divorced. We don’t see him that often.
They were quiet for a moment. Manus drank more wine. It tasted good. He realized he was a little buzzed.
He could feel her watching him. When he looked up, she signed, You’re not married, are you?
Her cheeks were slightly flushed and he realized she must have been as buzzed from the wine as he was. The realization produced a little adrenaline hit, and he could feel his heart rate and respiration increase in response.
You mean you work at the NSA and you couldn’t find that out?
She laughed. Maybe I just want confirmation.
Why?
I’m not sure. Are you?
No.
Divorced?
No. Never married.
Why not?
He finished his wine and looked into the empty glass. I don’t know. Never met anyone.
She laughed. Me, neither. But I got married anyway.
Manus hesitated, then signed, I like the way you are with your boy. I can tell you’re a good mother.
How?
The way you look at him.
They were quiet again. Manus didn’t feel like he was doing a good job for the director. Worse, he didn’t care.
When he finally glanced up, the woman had finished her wine and was looking at him with a frankness that gave him another adrenaline hit.
Do I make you nervous? she signed.
What? he signed, his heart beating faster. No.
Because I feel like you keep looking away from me.
Flustered, he looked away. Then caught himself and looked back.
Do you want to look at me? she signed.
Manus could feel himself stiffening. He sensed he was losing a game he hadn’t even realized he was playing. He swallowed and tried to think.