“Darla, we discussed this—”
“It’s expensive, so Mommy said I shouldn’t ask. But it looks so cute with the bagel on top, and I want to go so bad.”
Jules frowned at me. “I’m so sorry, Drew. She’s been begging to go.”
I decided it was time to toss another advantage my way. “You know, Darla, I wanted to try it too, but when your mom says not to ask something, you shouldn’t.”
Jules had climbed up front at this point, and she lowered her head and glared at me over her shades.
“It could have been something you could hurt someone by asking, and so this is good practice to listen.” And now I was a parenting expert. At least, I felt that way.
Jules apparently didn’t agree. “We should go. Shouldn’t you be at work?”
“I called in and said I’d be in around noon. It’s been a long time since I’ve had a lazy morning. It’s sort of agreeing with me. Plus, I have a date with a superstar.” I winked at Darla and then turned toward Jules. “Is it okay if we try Albert’s?”Smooth, I know.
“Sure.”
I pulled out and headed back toward the water ... the pricey side of town.
“Want to listen to music?” I hollered back to Darla.
When I saw her nod in the rearview, I flipped on some pop station. “She seems good.”
“Kids rally. They bounce back so easily, unlike us. I can’t afford to go down for the count.”
“You work too hard.”
Jules turned her gaze out the window and didn’t respond.
A tremor ran through my hand as I set it on her knee. I knew she wouldn’t want the contact in front of Darla, but I didn’t care.
As I expected, she gave me the evil eye, but I didn’t move my hand.
“I know you had to, but you don’t have to work so hard now. I know you don’t want my help, but it is my obligation.”
“You need to stay in your lane,” she said, then lowered her voice to a whisper. “Move off my knee, and you’re pushing too much. The babysitting and sleepover were enough for now.”
“It’s not really babysitting when it’s your own kid.”
If I’d thought her earlier glare was evil, this one could kill.
“Shhh ... stop. Please.”
I nodded and checked on Darla, who was bopping to the song in the back. “Who is this, superstar?”
“Taylor. I love her!”
I turned it up and pretended to dance and drive.
“Drew, you’re silly.” Darla giggled in the back.
I popped and locked with my right arm, leaving my left hand on the wheel, and she laughed out loud. My daughter.
My fucking daughter.
Jules still glared out the window, but I could see her trying to stifle a smile.
I sat in my office after bagels and another argument with Jules. She insisted on Molly staying with Darla. I thought she could come to my office for a while and then home with me.
