Paul lets out a low laugh, the kind that sounds like gravel and amusement. “Pretend, huh? You’d have made it about halfway before flagging a cab and swearing it was part of the route.”
“Exactly,” Nalani says, dead serious. “It’s called strategic realism.”
Claudia looks at the truck, “I thought it wasn’t coming until later. We were going to help.”
“You showed up. Trucks packed up.” He states.
Claudia hands him the cup and bag. “Have you eaten?”
He shakes his head. “You don’t have to feed me.”
“You do have to eat,” Claudia replies, giving Nalani a strange look.
“Appreciate it, kid, but you’re off the clock, we’re moving out and?—”
“Temporarily,” Claudia says and looks down at Savannah. “We’re going to be back in before you know it.”
“You may find a place better suited for you now that you’re a big shot sports shrink.”
She shields her eyes as she looks up at the building, “This is where I want to be.” She looks back at him. “Unless you don’t–”
“Only thing I don’t, is I don’t want you to feel like you have to take care of an old man.”
“I’d like a lease,” she says, brow creeping up. “One year minimum.”
“Relocation bonus?” Nalani asks her.
“We’re not allowed to talk about such things.” She says, trying not to smile. “But let’s just say, I want a lease.”
Paul rolls his eyes, but there’s a softness to them. “I’ll see what I can come up with, but I’m not guessing we’ll be back in here too soon.”
“Taking the price of those boxes out of the rent.” He mumbles.
“I’d love to see the pictures,” Nalani says.
“Love to show you them, but they’re packed away.” He sighs.
“Koa’s got a safe the size of a bedroom. Would you like us to store them?” Nalani asks.
“I think that’s a good idea,” I state, and Paul looks at me. “World’s a different place now. We have to treat things we love like treasure.”
“Perfect,” Nalani says, “Then when you come over to watch the game with us tonight, we can look at them together.”
Paul looks at me, “Her man’s been out of town for less than a day, and she’s already trying to date me.”
The girls laugh as the driver walks over and asks, “Place at the Brooklyn waterfront first, and then the one on Player Ave?”
“Sounds right,” I tell him, then glance back at Nalani and Claudia. “Why don’t you two do a lap around the place and makesure nothing’s inside that should be out. Poppa Paul and I will watch the little one.”
They exchange a look—half amused, half exhausted—and then Claudia elbows Nalani who laughs, “Fine. We didn’t walk the bridge we drove to the Puck Pad and loaded the fridge up.”
Paul starts to give them hell, but they laugh as they head in.
I look down at Savannah, still strapped in her car seat, and swear she’s smiling at me like she knows I just volunteered for babysitting duty.
“They don’t need to feed me,” Paul huffs as he looks at me. “Did you just call me Poppa Paul?”
“Sure did,” I say, leaning in to unbuckle her. “Has a nice ring to it, doesn’t it?”
