“How does it feel to be old?” he asks, laughing his deep throaty laugh that will always remind me of my childhood. His swept back dark hair is peppered with grey and the lines around his eyes are beginning to deepen when he smiles.
“I don’t know, you tell me,” I throw back at him.
“Yeah, yeah, sit down, you’ve got gifts to open.”
A small box with a red bow attached sits on a larger box with a pink bow stuck on the top.
I pull out a chair and take a seat. “You’re eighteen now and as much as I want to keep you wrapped up here where it’s safe, I know you want to explore the world and everything it has to offer.”
He nudges the gifts closer toward me, and I open the small one first. I’m expecting jewellery not a car fob sitting pretty on the velvet cushion.
“A car? You got me a car?”
I’ve wanted my own car since I got permit last year.
“Like I said, I can’t keep you around here all the time, so I want you to be safe getting around the city, and in style of course.”
“Of course.” I grin and reach for the second box.
Inside is a Prada purse and a matching wallet. “A gift from your mom,” Dad mutters and I look it over, but I’m more interested in what car awaits me out front. Mom’s gift is thoughtless and unoriginal. She’ll probably hope I don’t like it so she can have it when she eventually comes home and sees I’m not using them. It wouldn’t be the first time.
“What time did you get home this morning?”
“Oh, a little after midnight. I didn’t feel well so I came home. I feel fine now though,” I add so he doesn’t worry.
“Are you sure? I have to leave on business soon, but I can call a doctor out.”
“Business?”
“Yes, I’m sorry, darling, but I can’t postpone…”
“Honestly, Dad, it’s fine. I don’t want a fuss. As long as Clare can come over, that’s all I need.”
“She’s always welcome, darling.” He smiles and tucks the car fob into my hand. “Do you want to go look at your new ride?”
We head out front and sitting on the stone cobbled drive is a Porsche, blood red and gleaming under the morning sun.
“No way, you got me a Porsche?”
“It’s the one you wanted, right?”
I’ve been dropping hints like mad since I got my permit.
“Yes.”
I go to leap forward to run my hand along the body work when my phone rings in my back pocket. Digging it out, Clare’s name lights up the screen and I don’t hesitate to answer.
“You’re still alive then?”
“I feel like I’m dying. If I order a cab, can I come to yours and you pay. I’ve lost my purse and have no cash. I’ll pay you back.”
Eyeing up my new wheels, I have a better idea.
“Wait there, I’ll come and get you.”
I hang up and bounce on my toes. “I’m going to pick up Clare.”
“She only lives up the road.” Dad laughs lightly and I tense forgetting he doesn’t know where she is.
