“Hey girls," I say when I walk out to the living room. Claire's seated on the couch, her legs criss-crossed. Aubrey sits beside her, a book open betweenthem.
“Hello," Aubrey says stiffly, briefly meeting my eyes. She looks back down to Claire's book, picking up where she leftoff.
She may have only looked at me for half a second, but I saw everything in her eyes. Regret, embarrassment,unease.
“Daddy, did you know sea scallops have one hundred eyes?" Claire blinks up at me. Aubrey's words trail off as Claire stops paying attention to the book. She tosses it on the empty couch cushion and gets up, walking to the kitchen. Even from ten feet away I can see the tension in hershoulders.
“I didn't know that." I smile down at the top of Claire's head. “Is your mom reading to you about sea scallops?" I head for the kitchen to get my dose of morningcaffeine.
“Nope. My teacher told us yesterday at school." Claire's on my heels, carrying her book. I pick her up and swing her onto the counter. She sets the book beside her in exactly the same spot Aubrey was lastnight.
“Don't move a muscle," I tell Claire. I walk a few feet away to pour my coffee. Aubrey comes to stand by her, poking Claire on the nose as she leans against the counter. Claire giggles and Aubrey winks ather.
“What do you two want to do today?" I sip mycoffee.
Aubrey tries to look everywhere but into my eyes. Finally she has no choice and has to look at me. Her cheeks color. She clears her throat. “I thought we'd visit my dad." She takes a strand of Claire's hair between her fingers and twists gently. “What do you say, Claire Bear? Do you want to seeGrandpa?"
Claire nods her head vigorously. “I haven't seen him in ten years." Her eyes are wide, her voicesomber.
I smash my lips together to keep fromlaughing.
Aubrey grins and points a thumb at Claire. “The exaggeration is strong with thisone."
I laugh while I take the makings for French toast out of the fridge. “Am I allowed to tag along? I wouldn't mind seeing John." The guy fascinatesme.
I pull back from the fridge in time to see the uncomfortable look is back on Aubrey's face. “I guess,” shesays.
“I guess?" I ask, dumping the ingredients on the counter and eyeingher.
“Sure." Sheshrugs.
“You can say no." I crack two eggs into a pie pan. Instead of looking at her I whisk the eggs. It's obvious she doesn't like to be put on thespot.
“It's OK, Isaac. You can come.” She glances at me as soon as the words are out of hermouth.
I’ve caught the double entendre, and I'm guessing she wishes I hadn't. She flushes, and I can't help mysmirk.
Even she can't maintain her stoicism. A smile tugs at the corner of hermouth.
Coughing, she turns away and asks “Do I have time for a shower before breakfast isready?"
“Sure. Claire and I can hang out until you'reready."
Aubrey lifts Claire from the counter and sets her on herfeet.
I wash and dry my hands at the sink, watching Aubreygo.
“Maybe take a cold shower," I say loudly afterher.
She looks back at me over her right shoulder, running her middle finger down her cheek, a silent expletivestatement.
Her spunkiness makes me smile. “I tried that last night. Didn’t workout.”
She exhales loudly and throws her hands in the air. But I know she'shappy.
I could talk to John all day. I'd be carrying the conversation, but still. John's not much for talking, but he'll answer any question asked of him. If he were a character in the movies, he'd be in one of those old westerns my dad used to watch on Saturdays, back before there were a million channels to choose from. John’s character would have a cigarette dangling lazily from his lips, a constant frown, and be ready to kick ass at any moment. Now, in the present, he looks like he's still ready to kick ass at anymoment.
“What was the scariest moment you've ever had hunting?” I ask him. We're sitting out back, watching Claire play in the sand box. I've warned her not to get sand in her cast, because there's no way to get it out until next week when she's ready for her final cast. Aubrey wanted to put a plastic bag over her arm and tie it off, but I talked her out of it. She's inside cleaning now. I think she wants to take care of her dad. And cleaning is how she doesthat.
