“I speak only the truth.” He motions for me to join them. “How about we play…” He looks at me. “What’s your favorite board game?”
“Clue,” I say, gathering the cards into a stack and wrapping a rubber band around them.
“Excellent. How about we play before enjoying a delightful meal?” He lifts a brow and tosses his dashing smile at Mom.
She giggles, wiping her palms against her pants. “I suppose one game will be fine.”
Sully does have the magic touch when it comes to Gates women. His accent could talk us into almost anything.
Fifteen minutes later, we’re deep into the mystery when Dad wanders in with two bags of food. “Who’s hungry?” he says, holding up the bags.
Mom tosses her cards and check sheet down. “Time for dinner,” she says, walking over to the island and helping Dad divide the food onto plates.
“How is this helping?” I whisper to Sully. Since playing we only spoke when it related to the game, whose turn it was, or showing a clue when someone entered a room. We didn’t chip away at the dysfunction between Mom and me at all.
“Patience. Ease her into it. Right now, she’s not upset anymore. Later maybe you can talk, and she’ll listen.”
I squint at him. “How are you this wise?”
He shrugs, putting the game pieces away and folding the gameboard.
For dinner, we all have ribs with sides of mac and cheese and corn on the cob. Classical music plays softly in the background as we eat. Dad and I finish first and take our dishes to the sink.
“You have any plans after dinner?” he asks, rinsing off his plate and placing it in the dishwasher.
“No. It’s been a long day. I’ll probably drop Sully off at his place and then go home.”
I might have sex with Sully, but I will not discuss that with my father.
“I’m glad you’re getting some work done.” He takes my plate and rinses it off, placing it in the dishwasher too. Vague as ever. But at least he doesn’t insult me.
“What about you and Mom? Going to watch a movie tonight?”
Dad dries his hands on the dish towel. “No. We’ll probably read in bed.”
“That sounds nice.”
He places his hands on my shoulders and kisses the crown of my head. “One day you’ll know what it’s like to share your life with someone. Your mom is my favorite person.”
My heart sinks, but I put on a happy face. “I should get back.”
Sully and Mom are laughing as he shows her something on his phone. It’s almost as if I walked into a parallel universe where Mom is warm and open to who I bring into this house. What if Sully is right? Maybe better communication is what Mom and I need to be on the same page and not have this rift between us. It would be nice to feel like we weren’t on two different continents anymore.
27
Weeaticecreamand then play board games for three hours, and I can’t believe how time flies. It’s like we’re a happy sitcom family from TV performing for an audience of millions instead of a family who only gathers maybe once or twice a month. I don’t remember having that much fun with my parents since I was a child.
Dad yawns, checking the time on his watch. “I better take Bishop for his evening walk, and then I’m crashing for the night.” He pats Sully on the shoulder. “It was nice to meet you, son. Next time I’ll show you the Mustang.”
“The pleasure was mine,” Sully replies, smiling.
Dad grabs the leash, and Bishop doesn’t miss a beat. Mom pushes her chair out and stands. “I should clean up—”
Sully rushes forward, blocking her path. “Allow me.”
“You’re our guest.I can’t—”
“Please. I want to.Meine muttertaught me manners, might as well use them.”
