“Well, you can do that too,” he says, very earnestly. “But I need you to meet my dad first. He’s a nice dad.”
“Well, I’m very happy to hear that.”
“For his job, he makes movies happen.”
“Oh yeah?” As I scan the guests, I’d say most of them make movies happen to some degree or other. I recognize almost every face.
Paxton’s face suddenly lights up. “Have you ever seen the movieCloudy with a Chance of Meatballs?!”
“Oh my gosh, yes! I love that movie. Did your dad make that movie happen?”
“No, I just really like that one. I love the weird monkey.”
“That monkey is so weird.”
“Yeah.”
We’re both quiet for a moment. He’s probably thinking about the cartoon monkey, but I like that we already have comfortable silences. Aside from the fairly large misunderstanding between us yesterday, I really like talking to this boy.
Paxton looks over toward where the man was giving a speech when I got here. “Oh, it looks like my dad is going to raise the roof.”
There’s a four-piece band now, and a man in a very fine suit with a very fine behind is picking up the microphone.
I think I recognize that behind.
And then he turns around and I see his front.
I definitely recognize his front.
Oh God.
Is that?
“Wait,that’syour dad? The man in the suit holding the microphone?”
“Yeah. That’s my dad. His name is Elijah.”
Oh, holy night shits.
Oh no.
Ohhhh noooooo.
I mean. He looks infuriatingly hot now, but oh shit. Paxton is Elijah’s son, and this is so intense.
“Okay. Umm…” I am screaming the wordsI HAVE TO GO NOWin my head, but no one else can hear me yet.
Paxton pouts and reaches out to hold my hand.
Dammit.
Well played, adorable child. Well played.
“Don’t be scared,” he says. “He doesn’t remember how to smile, but he’s not mean or anything. Well, he won’t be with you anyway.”
We’ll just have to see about that, Paxton. We’ll see. It looks to me like his dad has been drinking, and when that guy drinks he is either a big ol’ meanie or a huge flirt. And I can’t decide which side of him I hope to see tonight.
Neither of them.
