“More?” she repeated, puzzled.
“A more intimate relationship,” he clarified.
“Oh! I guess I can see that.”
“Is that enough butter?” he asked, checking out the puddles of melted butter pooling in the waffle’s dents.
“Yes. But we need syrup.”
“Of course we do. Tell me when,” Caden said as he popped the top off the bottle. He poured until the waffle swam in the thick brown concoction.
“When, Daddy.”
He stopped immediately and set the container down to cut her a bite. Holding it up to her mouth, Caden said, “Try this and see what you think.”
“Mmm! This is the best waffle ever!” she mumbled around the bite. “You try it.”
Caden helped himself to a sizeable chunk. It was over the top in sweetness for him, but this treat was for Brooklyn. He fed her another bite. “We did well. I didn’t know ladybugs were so delicious.”
“Daddy! It’s not a real ladybug. That would be gross.”
“Protein is protein, little girl.”
She looked at him as if he’d grown another head. “Gross, Daddy. Don’t tell me you’ve eaten insects.”
“Surviving is the most important. In many places in the world, bugs are a treat. Fried termites. Cricket flour. Human creativity nourishes a lot of people who would otherwise starve.”
She studied the waffle suspiciously. “Cricket flour?”
“Your waffle is safe, sweetheart. I might sneak some veggies into lasagna, but I promise no insects in your food.”
“Thank you.”
“I can also promise you I won’t kick you out. You’re safe here.”
“Is that because you’re my daddy?” she asked.
“In part, yes. But even if you’d not had a little side, I would have welcomed you here. Years ago, I was in a bad spot. I haven’t ever met my dad. My mom took care of me until my sixteenth birthday. That day, she decided I was grown enough, and her responsibility was over.”
“That’s horrible.” Brooklyn bristled as she stiffened in outrage.
“It was. My possessions dwindled to what I could stuff in my hall and gym lockers. I slept on the wrestling mat in the back of the gym until the coach caught me.”
“Oh, no! What did he say?”
“I thought on my feet and lied that I was there early to talk to him about being a wrestler. His expression alone told me that he didn’t believe me, but he made me one of the team managers. That got me a key to the gym, where I could sleep and shower. There was even a washer and dryer that I could use overnight.”
“He didn’t take you home?”
“No, he was gay. Allegations that something fishy was going on could have cost him his job. I was fine. He made sure of that. I made it through high school graduation and joined the military. I’ve been there since.”
“Do you like being in the military?” she asked.
“Yes. My team is my family.”
“I really want to get to know them better now.”
“They’re going to be happy to spend time with you too. So I’ve told you my life story. Can you tell me yours while I make us another ladybug?” Caden asked.
