“Daddy, what time is Ms. Sue coming to get me?”
My beautiful daughter skips into the kitchen, climbing up on the bar stool, reaching into the snack bowl to pull out a fruit roll-up.
“She should be here in about fifteen to twenty minutes. Have you brushed your teeth and cleaned your room?” I give her a stern look, making sure she knows I mean business. The only way she can go is if she tidied up her room. It’s been a pigsty since we came home from the beach.
“I did,” she says proudly.
“Good. She’s going to take you to eat before the movies, so don’t fill up on junk. Plus, you want to leave room for some popcorn,” I remind her.
“Does she know to get me the nacho cheese?”
I love that my daughter enjoys the combination of popcorn and nacho cheese. I discovered it as a teenager and haven’t stopped eating it since. The only thing that compares to the amazing taste is french fries and nacho cheese. If only I had patented the idea when I discovered it.
“Yes. I told her, but I’m sure if she forgets, you’ll be there to remind her.” I give her a soft pat on the head as I lean forward onto the counter.
“Daddy,” she squeals in laughter as she hops off the stool. “I’m not a doggie.” She takes off running to her room, and I shake my head. I’m so lucky to have such an amazing daughter.
I turn my attention back to the food and decide to go ahead and mix up the salad and get the bread ready to go into theoven. I can’t believe we’re deciding exactly when we’ll tell Ryan everything tonight.
I’m busy with the final touches of spreading the garlic butter on the bread when the doorbell rings, and I hear Angel’s footsteps pounding on the floor like a herd of elephants.
“Do not think about opening that door, young lady!” I scream at the top of my lungs, her feet coming to a screeching halt.
“Sorry!” she yells back.
I place the knife on the counter, pick up a dish towel, and wipe my hands as I make my way to the front door. Angel is jumping up and down in excitement, her little purse in hand, ready to leave.
Turning the deadbolt, I take hold of the handle and open the door. Ms. Sue is waiting on the other side, but no kids.
“They’re already in the van, I just came to get Angel.” It was as if she had read my mind.
I reach into my pocket, pull out the cash I put there earlier, and hand it to her. “This is for Angel.” My daughter takes hold of the hem of my shirt and tugs on it. Letting out a laugh, I continue. “She also wants me to remind you to get her some nacho cheese to go with her popcorn at the movies.”
Ms. Sue smiles widely. It’s so large, it reaches from ear to ear. “I’d never forget that. Why don’t you run along and get in the van? The girls are waiting for you.”
Angel doesn't even bat an eye. “Bye Daddy.” She takes off like a bolt of lightning, not even giving me a kiss. My heart breaks a little at that. But I know she’s excited, and when she gets home tonight, I’ll get to hear about everything.
“She’s just excited, don't let it get to you.” She reaches out and places her hand on my arm, squeezing it. “I’ll have her home by nine.”
“Thank you again for taking her.”
“No problem. Enjoy your free time.” She smiles and turns, heading down the steps and across the yard toward her van. Shutting the door, I head back to the kitchen, knowing that Amberlee is going to be here soon.
“Dinner was amazing. I’m a lucky girl that my boyfriend can cook.” She reaches across the table and squeezes my hand.
“Boyfriend? So that’s what I am?” I give her a playful wink.
I’m fucking ecstatic to hear her call me that, I just wish it was in front of everyone. But if things go the way they are supposed to, we won’t have to deal with that much longer. It’s time to tackle the elephant in the room.
Ryan.
“We need to talk about telling your brother. We’ve been home for a few days, and I don’t want to wait any longer or sneak around behind his back to see you.” I love her, but Ryan’s like my brother, and I don’t want him to hate me more than he already might when I tell him about my feelings for Amberlee.
“I’m ready when you are. I know he’s going to be mad, but he’ll come around. Besides, Maddy already has her suspicions, so if we don’t tell him soon, she likely will,” Amberlee adds, and my jaw drops.
Guess we weren’t hiding this as well as we thought…
“Yeah. She kept dropping shit here and there, but Sunday morning, she told me she knew something happened, and I needed to tell Ryan,” Amberlee adds, picking up her glass of water and taking a sip.
