Boarding House - Kirby

 

Kirby was afraid Sarah might break down about Fitz. She was babbling something about Fitz's last name being the same as Miss Olivia's. "What? What if he's her long-lost son or something?"

This made Mina snicker and Kirby choked on a laugh trying to be as understanding as he could be. He watched Sarah practically sobbing as she covered her face. Pen looked at him with a thin straight lip as if she didn't know what to make of it, either.

"All right, already."

He'd let it go. He looked to Mina to follow him out to the hall. 

"You aren't going to get Fitz, are you?" Sarah looked up at him wide-eyed ready to protest.

"No, I came down here, looking for Mina," he said.

"Mina?" Sarah looked at him as if that was weird. She looked to Pen who decided to stay by Sarah's side which Kirby was certain Sarah needed.

Mina looked at him like a baby doe ready to be run over. He found it kind of funny. He didn't think of himself as a drill sergeant kind of guy. Of course, as soon as they were alone Mina asked, "Do you think Fitz tried to, um..you know."

"No, I think it was nothing. Absolutely, nothing. She might have scared him more than he scared her," he shrugged, looking down at tiny Mina. "I don't have your phone number," Kirby said.

"Phone number?" She looked at him as if she hadn't a clue why he'd need it.

"I think there is a job at the Child Care Center on the base, you might like it. The benefits are pretty good. I mean, it's starting pay, but it could lead to something else."

She smiled up at him and got out her phone. She asked for his phone number and texted him. She looked thrilled when the ding exclaimed for his iPhone. Before he knew it she was hugging him tight. He sighed as if he needed her warm hug.

Of course, Miss Olivia found them together. "What's this? What have you two been up to?" She gave them both the evil eye, waltzing about with her arms wrapped around herself, scrutinizing the situation as if they might not be here long, after all.