Batman's there looking beautiful in brown shoes, grey pants and a medium brown shirt. He looks rich, is what he looks. You don't need to see labels to know everything is expensive, you can just tell by the glow of the leather, the drape of the cloth, the stitching on the button holes. He wears an Apple watch but no other jewelry but he's neither had a haircut nor shaved in a week or two which gives him a slightly old-fashioned look. His eyes are so patient. He's always had all the time in the world for me and is one of the few people who doesn't try to micromanage my movements or order me around. He doesn't strongarm my life and instead offers and waits. Some things I take, most things I leave.
This morning he offered coffee and croissants. I know where he gets his croissants from. They are delivered to the house on Mondays and Thursdays and they're worth the cost so I accepted.
In the kitchen?
Yes, of course. I hear laughter in his voice. I'll be waiting.
Give me ten minutes. I hang up and scramble to get ready. Rose gold hoops. Skinny jeans. T-shirt that says IRISH across the front, emblazoned in green on white. I throw on Ruth's Adidas superstars and I look and feel about fifteen years old, tops save for the dark circles under my eyes and the tattoos.
At the last minute I grab my sweater and pull it around me for warmth.
When I arrive the coffee is just ready and Batman looks like he's about to run out the door anyway. He only works from home in between projects and never seems to actually relax.
You look..uh, he catches himself, young today. Like this, I mean.
I don't have to work today.
Actually I need you to.
With no notice?
This is your notice. Could you help Jacob with his taxes this afternoon? He's missed the deadline to have them sent to the accountant.
The accountant doesn't have a deadline for this.
For our terms, he does. Please be a help and do this for me. It is within the scope of your work here.
Right. Batman hasn't actually called me to work for months. I though I was home free.
I like your shoes.
Thank you. They're Fluevog.
I noticed. Look, I'm not really prepared for staying to do tax work today-
I can send him over whenever. He needs a keeper, Bridget. He has this household in perfect order while his own is a mess.
What do you mean?
You'll see.
A kind smile all but dismisses me so I take the last sip of my coffee, eat the last bite of my croissant and reach across the counter to pick up the box of croissants that is still half full.
You don't need these. They're so bad for you. He grins as I wink at him, nodding his permission for me to steal his expensive pastries. The very least he can do if he's going to foist Jay on me this afternoon is to load me up with butter and fat first.
This morning he offered coffee and croissants. I know where he gets his croissants from. They are delivered to the house on Mondays and Thursdays and they're worth the cost so I accepted.
In the kitchen?
Yes, of course. I hear laughter in his voice. I'll be waiting.
Give me ten minutes. I hang up and scramble to get ready. Rose gold hoops. Skinny jeans. T-shirt that says IRISH across the front, emblazoned in green on white. I throw on Ruth's Adidas superstars and I look and feel about fifteen years old, tops save for the dark circles under my eyes and the tattoos.
At the last minute I grab my sweater and pull it around me for warmth.
When I arrive the coffee is just ready and Batman looks like he's about to run out the door anyway. He only works from home in between projects and never seems to actually relax.
You look..uh, he catches himself, young today. Like this, I mean.
I don't have to work today.
Actually I need you to.
With no notice?
This is your notice. Could you help Jacob with his taxes this afternoon? He's missed the deadline to have them sent to the accountant.
The accountant doesn't have a deadline for this.
For our terms, he does. Please be a help and do this for me. It is within the scope of your work here.
Right. Batman hasn't actually called me to work for months. I though I was home free.
I like your shoes.
Thank you. They're Fluevog.
I noticed. Look, I'm not really prepared for staying to do tax work today-
I can send him over whenever. He needs a keeper, Bridget. He has this household in perfect order while his own is a mess.
What do you mean?
You'll see.
A kind smile all but dismisses me so I take the last sip of my coffee, eat the last bite of my croissant and reach across the counter to pick up the box of croissants that is still half full.
You don't need these. They're so bad for you. He grins as I wink at him, nodding his permission for me to steal his expensive pastries. The very least he can do if he's going to foist Jay on me this afternoon is to load me up with butter and fat first.