“Won’t Dima care?”
“Mine feesh p’ace.”
“But it’s Dima’s yard.”
Carnage shrugged.
“Alright, then,” Daniel said, setting down the picnic basket and two tackle boxes he carried.
Carnage plopped down on the ground and started baiting his hook.
“I’m surprised you don’t use real worms,” Daniel said, watching Carnage expertly thread a rubber worm onto his hook.
“Poh wum,” Carnage said, shaking his head.
“Okay, now you sound like my daughter. She always felt bad for the bait; that’s why we use bologna and cheese for bait back home,” Daniel said.
Carnage snickered. “’Gel nish.”
“She is. Very nice. Too nice, sometimes.”
Carnage gave Daniel a bit of side-eye.
“What’s that look for?”
“Dahdee D’agon. ‘Gel st’ong,” Carnage said.
A corner of Daniel’s mouth turned up as he thought about it. “Yeah, I suppose she can be strong when she wants to be.”
Carnage nodded and handed the baited pole to Daniel. “Feesh!” he said, pointing toward the bayou.
“I thought you might turn up here,” Dima said from right behind them.
Daniel spun around so fast he almost hooked himself with the fishing pole he held. He’d never had someone come up on him without giving at least a hint that they were approaching.
“Sorry. Didn’t mean to startle you,” Dima said, his eyes cast down, not meeting Daniel’s.
Daniel looked at the male; he was tall and wide. Easily the tallest male he’d ever seen. He was bulky, but not fat. He was wearing a flannel shirt and a pair of jeans. His feet were shoved into a pair of white rubber shrimping boots. He had long, thick dark brown hair that he wore loose around his shoulders and back, and there was hair of the same color extending from hisshirt sleeves around his wrists, and curling up and out of the collar of his shirt. When looking more closely, Daniel realized that some of the hair worn loosely around his shoulders was actually growing from the sides of his neck, rather than growing only from his scalp. His face, though, was clean shaven as was the front of his neck. Daniel took in his posture and realized he wasn’t very comfortable with strangers. He may not be comfortable in any social situation, and that was okay. One thing Daniel knew was how to put people at ease — he’d had plenty of training while raising Angelle. Daniel moved his fishing pole from his right hand to his left and extended his hand to the male, while smiling warmly. “Hello. I’m Daniel. I’m Angelle’s father. I’m pleased to meet you.”
Dima’s arm jerked just a bit, like he was instinctively going to shake Daniel’s hand, but then he stopped himself and looked into Daniel’s eyes.
Daniel smiled again, and continued to hold his hand out toward Dima.
Dima flashed a quick half-smile and shook Daniel’s hand before pulling his hand back and shoving it in his pocket.
Daniel noticed the long, silky hair growing from the back of Dima’s hand and realized the hair wasn’t only peeking out from beneath Dima’s sleeves, it was actually on the backs of his hands as well. “You got the jump on me! Nobody’s ever been able to do that.”
“Sorry about that. It kind of just happens. Can’t help it.”
“Why’re you sorry? Good on you! Bet you can hunt your ass off,” Daniel said.
“I have my moments,” Dima said with a grin.
“Dahn goood,” Carnage said. Then he pointed at Dima while he looked at Daniel. “Deemah goood.”
“You’re Carnage’s best friend,” Daniel said.
Dima smiled brightly. “Yes. I kind of had no choice. He just kind of takes you along wherever he wants you to go. He grew on me.”
