We All Sleep in the Same Room by Paul Rome Page B

camera gently next to me, and start in on the snacks I packed for us. A bagel and cream cheese. I have a sip of coffee. I take out my cell phone and call her.
    â€œHi. Tom…” Jessie says, “I’m really sorry. I’ll be at the office soon. I’m just running a little late.”
    â€œYou’re not at the office? Oh, that’s funny. Ben and I are in McCarren Park. I’m taking the day off. If you’re still in Williamsburg, why don’t you come join us?”
    â€œReally? How funny.” I think I hear the low rumblings of a male voice, though it could be the radio. “Are you sure that’d be okay?”
    â€œDon’t worry, I got your back.”
    Jessie laughs. “I can probably see you guys from my window. I’ll be there in a few minutes, okay?”
    A strikingly tall mother and her daughter enter through the playground gate. The mother is wearing some incredibly fashionable fur jacket and boots. She looks like a model. The blonde, curly-haired daughter sipping a juice box appears to be about Ben’s age. The model unzips the girl’s coat revealing a pink dress with purple and white lace. From her coat pocket, the model removes a plastic, jeweled tiara and places it on the girl’s head. Another Halloween costume.
    Ben runs toward the princess. The princess gives him a once over and goes back to her juice. Her mother excitedly taps the princess’s shoulder and points out the S on Ben’s chest, but the princess isn’t having it. Ben races back to me and slaps my knee, grinning and pointing at the girl in the pink dress.
    â€œShe’s a princess,” I say.
    He nods fervently and runs back over to the girl. This time, the princess has a change of heart. Then they’re off running and giggling together. The princess leads the way up the twisty slide and Superman follows. The model and the labor lawyer take to their feet.
    â€œHi,” I say. “I’m Tom.”
    â€œKristina,” she says.
    â€œYour daughter seems very sweet.”
    â€œThanks. Looks like they’re getting along.”
    I look at Kristina again. What would you do with all that leg?
    * * *
    Jessie, strides through the gate clutching a large white coffee cup. Her hair is wet, dark. I find myself bending and pressing my lips into her wrist, as if welcoming royalty.
    â€œTom. What’re you doing?” She blushes.
    â€œSorry, I...I don’t know. I guess I’m happy to see you.”
    I imagine she contemplates a kiss in return, but instead she gives my forearm a pinch. “Oh my god. Is that Ben? You’ve got to be kidding me. He is so adorable.”
    â€œThanks.” I’m grinning again.
    â€œThat costume is adorable. And that princess? Wow, they make such a cute couple. Halloween costumes?”
    â€œYup.”
    â€œHe is such a charmer,” Jessie says. “You guys trick-or-treating on Monday?”
    â€œI think Frank’s going to take him out.”
    â€œThat’s the babysitter, right?”
    â€œYup.”
    We settle into the steel benches. The princess lies down on her stomach at the top of the slide. Her dress, hiked to her thighs, exposes her purple tights, and she points emphatically to her backside, motioning for Ben, who’s standing above her on the last rung of the ladder, to get on top of her. Ben hesitates. Then he gets on. The adults rise. The children ride down with Ben on top. The princess is delighted. They scale the ladder, and again, the princess sets to go.
    â€œRebecca,” her mother calls timidly.
    â€œBen,” I say.
    The children scream their way down the slide. On the ground they rest, temporarily on top of each other, neither registering any sign of having heard their parent, and begin their ascent all over.
    It’s an awkward situation. Their game is totally innocent and sweet, of course, and amusing to watch. But as responsible, respectable parents, we’re