“Okay, Daddy, but do you know how long it’s gonna take him to fix it? I have to work tomorrow.” He nervously chewed his thumbnail.
I plucked it from his mouth. “That’s not good for you. Let’s get this sorted and then we’ll tackle transportation next.”
I could tell by glancing around the tiny space that Jamie wasn’t used to having much, but what he did have, he appreciated, because it was well taken care of. Won’t lie, it pained me, the simplicity of his life, but at least he wasn’t out on the streets or living in his car. He was safe and warm with a roof over his head. But he would be the kind of boy who appreciated any gift he was given and did not take advantage of his daddy.
Chapter Five
Jamie
How will I ever pay Daddy back for this? I don’t have any real savings. Maybe two hundred dollars at most, which wouldn’t get me much. Surely not enough to get a car fixed, especially not that little piece of crap that I had. I mean, it’s gotten me around for the last two years, thankfully, but I knew it wasn’t gonna last long, and Grandma had it for a zillion yearsbefore me.
“What’s got you so worried over there, Sweet boy?”
Daddy had just finished talking to the tow truck people and slid his phone back in his pocket. “I can’t afford this. I only have a little bit of money in my savings, and I’m sure this is gonna cost more than that to fix it.” There, I was honest and didn’t talk too much.Go me!
“Well, I do have two vehicles. Both of which I would feel much better knowing that you’re driving, because not only are they insured, but they’re well maintained and have high safety ratings.”
“But Daddy…”
“Don’t but Daddy me. I’m putting my foot down on this one, Jamie. I know we’re new to each other, but you know how daddies are with their boys. We’re protective and that’s not a bad thing.”
Did I tell him not really? Because no Daddy ever took care of me. No Daddy ever stayed around for more than a couple of weeks before they got bored of me.
“Why don’t you pack a bag and come home with me? We’ll meet the tow truck driver on the way so we can give him the key and then you can stay the night at my house. If that’s alright with you?”
I was glad I’d done laundry before going over to Henry’s house. I packed a pair of slacks and a shirt for work, clean pajamas and Sloffers and Kiki. My toothbrush was in thefront zipper of my backpack, so I grabbed the rest of my toiletries.
“I’m ready, Daddy.”
He slid the backpack from my arm and followed me out. After I locked the door, I took the car key off my keychain and handed it to him. Daddy seat belted me in, and then we were on the road. Again. “What kind of car is this? It’s nice.” And fancy, but I left that part out. This car easily cost more than my annual salary.
Daddy smiled and winked at me and made my insides all fuzzy. “I would say it’s a mid-life crisis, but I’m only thirty-eight. It’s an Audi TT Mk3. Not as crazy expensive as it looks, but fun to drive just the same. Can you drive a stick shift?”
“No, Daddy, and I’d be afraid to drive a car this fancy.” I could see myself accidentally hitting the gas too hard and driving it into a brick wall.
“No problem. I have an SUV at home that you can use. The clinic isn’t far from my house, and I actually walk to work sometimes when the weather is nice.” We pulled in near my car where a giant truck was parked in front of it. “Wait here, I’ll be right back.”
I watched as Daddy talked to the big hairy man and handed him the key. My poor little car sat there all alone, wondering what was going on. Do you bury cars whenthey die? If they can’t fix it, should we have a funeral? It’s the only car I’ve ever had, and even though it’s old, and ugly, and kinda beat up, I’ll be sad when it dies for good.
Just like Grandma.
“All good,” Daddy got in and clicked his belt on. “The mechanic will assess it tomorrow and give me a call. Why are you so quiet over there?”
How much do I say? I’m worried about paying him back. I’m worried about whether or not I still have a car. I’m worried about how to get to work. I’m basically worried about everything right now. And if I say anything to him, he’ll just want to fix it and that doesn’t seem fair. “It’s just a lot right now, and we’re new to each other, and I already had to call you for help.”
“Jamie don’t worry about that. I am happy to help and I’m even happier that I was the person you thought to call first. Yes, we’re new, but it is what it is, and in a relationship, you help one another when you can. If I’d have called you, would you have helped me?”
“Absolutely, Daddy. But I don’t want it to look like I’m taking advantage of you. It’s like I’m playing the role of the helpless damsel in distress and that’s not me. I pay my own way in life.” That came out a bit harsher than I meant, but it was important to me.
“Let me ask you something, Jamie. Are you looking to be a full-time boy with a Daddy taking care of you twenty-four-seven?
This was likely a dealbreaker for him, but I had to be honest. We both deserved that much, new or not. “Never been an option for me to think about before. It’s hard to get into that headspace without a Daddy and having to adult all the time.” I left off the part about not being able to afford toys because I didn’t want Daddy to feel sorry for me. “I love playing with my toys and being a little when I’m away from work but working and earning my own money is important to me too. I enjoy getting out of the house and being around people, and I’m really, really good at what I do.”
“I’m sure you are, sweetheart. If you could have any job in the world, what would it be?”
“That’s easy. Something to do with animals that I didn’t have to go to school for. I barely graduated high school, and I have no desire to go to college. I don’t know, I’m sure it sounds silly, but I just like playing with animals. I’m sure no job like that exists. But I’m fine where I’m at right now. The pay is low, but my boss is nice, and most of the time the customers are too. Every once in a while, I get one that’s a poo-poo head though.”
“Yes. Unfortunately, humans aren’t all fun and games. Why don’t you tell me a little bit more about yourself?”
