Local Hero

him feel better. Maybe sleeping with Mitch made his mom feel better.
    He wondered if Mitch loved his mom. It made his stomach feel funny to think about it. He wanted Mitch to stay and be his friend. If they got married, did that mean Mitch would go away? He would have to ask, Radley decided. His mom always told him the truth. Shifting the kitten to one arm, he lifted the bowl of chips and carried it into his room.
    ***
    It was nearly dark when she awoke. Hester opened her eyes and looked directly into Mitch’s. She blinked, trying to orient herself. Then he kissed her, and she remembered everything.
    “We must have slept for an hour,” she murmured.
    “Closer to two. How do you feel?”
    “Groggy. I always feel groggy if I sleep during the day.” She stretched her shoulders and heard Radley giggling in his room. “He must still be at that computer. I don’t think I’ve ever seen him happier.”
    “And you?”
    “Yes.” She traced his lips with her fingertip. “I’m happy.”
    “If you’re groggy and happy, this might be the perfect time for me to ask you to marry me again.”
    “Mitch.”
    “No? Okay, I’ll wait until I can get you drunk. Any more of that cake left?”
    “A little. You’re not angry?”
    Mitch combed his fingers through his hair as he sat up. “About what?”
    Hester put her hands on his shoulders, then rested her cheek on his. “I’m sorry I can’t give you what you want.”
    He tightened his arms around her; then with an effort, he relaxed. “Good. That means you’re close to changing your mind. I’d like a double-ring ceremony.”
    “Mitch!”
    “What?”
    She drew back and, because she didn’t trust his smile, shook her head. “Nothing. I think it’s best to say nothing. Go ahead and help yourself to the cake. I’m going to get started in here.”
    Mitch glanced around the room, which looked to be in pretty good shape by his standards. “You really want to clean this up tonight?”
    “You don’t expect me to leave this mess until the morning,” she began, then stopped herself. “Forget I said that. I forgot who I was talking to.”
    Mitch narrowed his eyes suspiciously. “Are you accusing me of being sloppy?”
    “Not at all. I’m sure there’s a lot to be said for living in a ‘junkyard’ decor with a touch of ‘paper drive’ thrown in. It’s uniquely you.” She began to gather up paper plates. “It probably comes from having maids as a child.”
    “Actually, it comes from never being able to mess up a room. My mother couldn’t stand disorder.” He’d always been fond of it, Mitch mused, but there was something to be said for watching Hester tidy up. “For my tenth birthday, she hired a magician. We sat in little folding chairs—the boys in suits, the girls in organdy dresses—and watched the performance. Then we were served a light lunch on the terrace. There were enough servants around so that when it was over there wasn’t a crumb to be picked up. I guess I’m overcompensating.”
    “Maybe a little.” She kissed both of his cheeks. What an odd man he was, she thought, so calm and easygoing on one hand, so driven by demons on the other. She strongly believed that childhood affected adulthood, even to old age. It was the strength of that belief that made her so fiercely determined to do the best she could by Radley. “You’re entitled to your dust and clutter, Mitch. Don’t let anyone take it away from you.”
    He kissed her cheek in return. “I guess you’re entitled to your neat and tidy. Where’s your vacuum?”
    She drew back, brow lifted. “Do you know what one is?”
    “Cute. Very cute.” He pinched her, hard, just under the ribs. Hester jumped back with a squeal. “Ah, ticklish, huh?”
    “Cut it out,” she warned, holding out the stack of paper plates like a shield. “I wouldn’t want to hurt you.”
    “Come on.” He crouched like a wrestler. “Two falls out of three.”
    “I’m warning you.” Wary of the gleam in his eye, she backed up as he advanced. “I’ll get violent.”
    “Promise?” He lunged, gripping her under the waist. In reflex, Hester lifted her arms. The plates, dripping with cake and ice cream, caught him full in the face. “Oh, God.” Her own scream of laughter had her falling backward into a chair. She opened her mouth to speak but only doubled up again.
    Very slowly Mitch wiped a hand over his cheek, then studied the smear of chocolate. Watching, Hester let out another peal of