“I’ll not hear of it. It’s been a while since I’ve been out and I’m enjoying your company. Tell me, Jamie, what is it you do for work?” He took a sip of his tea and watched me over the rim of the glass.
“I work in retail. It’s boring, but easy, and I’m one of the few at the store that are full time.” Barely above minimumwage, but I still got a full forty hours, at least, thanks to seniority.Okay, chatty Jamie, rein it in and keep your answers brief.
Like that’s gonna happen.
“Why do I get the feeling you had more to say?”
“Sorry, Daddy T. I’ve been told I talk too much and overshare so I’m trying to be a good boy.” Don’t add because you’re afraid he’ll leave like all the others have.
“Please, stop apologizing. I enjoy listening to you. You are a breath of fresh air. Talk away, please.”
Did he mean that? Could I really chat, chat, chat away?
“Do you have a boy?” Of course, he doesn’t, or he wouldn’t be here with you. Though that one time that awful Daddy took you out and left his boy at home. Horrible, horrible, horrible Daddy. Thankfully I found out about his naughty side before it went too far. Daddies are supposed to be nice and faithful to their boys.
“Had,” Daddy T got a faraway look in his eyes. “It’s been a long time. Tonight was the first time I’ve been back at the club in nearly a year.”
“Oh, that’s a long time. Are you lonely? You need a boy to take care of you.” And again, too many words.Daddies don’t like it when you talk, you’d do wise to remember that. Ugh, why can’t I get the mean daddies out of my head?
“I have been. But I’m glad I came out tonight. This sweet little at the club caught my eye and I’d like to get to know him better.” Daddy T winked and I got all squirmy inside. But the good kind of squirmies this time.
Sweet little?
Could that be me?
Don’t mess this up by being you, Jamie.
But I don’t know how to be anyone else…
“Why so sad, little one?”
“Just…stuff. Stupid stuff in my head.” Think happy thoughts and turn both your frowns upside down. Grandma’s kind words always help me. “Enough about me. What about you, Daddy T? What do you do for a living?”
He gave me that we’ll come back to this later look but didn’t call me out on avoiding his question. “I work with animals.”
“Oh my god! Oh my god! Oh my god!” I nearly squealed. “Animals are my favorite. Do you work at a zoo?” Growing up in Las Vegas where we had none, I’d never been to one. But maybe he was from out of town.
Daddy T’s laugh was amazing, and warm, and made my smile bigger. “No. I’m a veterinarian. Which animal is your favorite.”
“A sloth.” I didn’t even have to think about it. My favorite stuffy, Sloffers, was at home in bed waiting to cuddle with me.
“Really? I had you pegged for a koala lover.” Daddy T was still smiling so this was a good sign. A very good sign.
“That’s my second favorite.” Had one of those named Kiki who was curled up with Sloffers on my bed at home. “I bet you get to see all kinds of fun animals. Dogs, and cats. Ooohhh puppies and kittens. Do you get a lot of those?”
“I do. Even some exotic pets like desert tortoises, iguanas, and bearded dragons.” Daddy T straightened his sleeves and placed his napkin on his lap, so I did the same. Good boys follow Daddy’s lead.
“I love those too. Lizards are fun,” I flicked my tongue like lizards do, really fast, and he laughed. “My tongue’s not long enough but I like it when they do that with theirs.”
Our food arrived and Daddy T watched as I placed the sauce dishes in a row. “Dippy, dippy, dippy,” I sung as I dipped a corner of the piece of sushi I caught with my chopsticks in the first sauce and bit it off before doing the same with another corner of it in the next dish. “Mmm, yummy.”
“Jamie, I’m so glad you agreed to have dinner with me.” Daddy T smiled at me as I wiggled in my seat.
“Me too. I love shrimpies. They’re nummy-nummy-nummy.” It was always a choice between two rolls for me, shrimp with basil or salmon. “Oh, I don’t like the green one. It hurts my tongue.” Too hot! I slammed down the glass of water as Daddy T waved the waitress down.
“Can he have a refill please and maybe a glass of milk if you have it.”
“Oh my god!” My hand wildly waved, fanning my mouth. “The green one’s mean.”
