But seriously, I’ll be waiting for you with a bubble bath and cherry chip cake when you get home, and whatever else you need to relax.
Tally
You better say and do filthy things to me tonight.
Flip
We will check something off your fantasy list.
Tally
Promise?
Flip
Cross my heart. The filthier the better. Maybe a fic related one
Tally
I told you the spice was spicing. Okay. I’m going in.
Flip
Great. Maybe erase the messages that will result in me being buried in an unmarked grave.
Tally
On it.
Flip
I smile as I delete all the messages that would make me boyfriend-less and my dad a murderer. I wanted to invite Flip today, but I also didn’t want the first time my mom and siblings meet him to be tense and awkward.
I check my other messages, pulling up new ones from a few minutes ago.
Mom
I know this isn’t easy, but thank you for saying yes to dinner.
I fight the wave of emotion. Our relationship has shifted over the past weeks. We’ve always been allies, but she’s anchored firmly in the mom role lately, and I need that from her. Especially today.
Tally
I’ll be up in a few minutes.
Mom
I’ll be here with a hug when you’re ready.
I take another deep breath before I leave the safety of my car. I’m anxious, I miss dinners with my family, and I’m scared of this new normal. I can’t get used to this if I don’t try, though. And I can’t get past my anger at my dad if I don’t give him a chance, either.
My heart lurches when I reach my dad’s apartment. I don’t have a key, so I have to knock. Two seconds later, he opens the door, beaming. “I’m so glad you could make it.” He envelops me in a hug.
“Me, too.” I’m suddenly choked up. I’ve been hiding from all these feelings, burying myself in school, focusing on my relationship with Flip so I don’t have to manage this. I pat his back as I look over the space behind him. The new living room set looks like it belongs in a university apartment ad.
He releases me and steps back, giving me room to come inside.
“You finally got your recliner, huh?”
