She shakes her head. "Well, Muriel lived for a year, but still, I loved that fish. Point is, you smothered me with gifts. Don't you think you're doing it to Lola? You can't undo the past, just learn from it."
"Stop reading self-help books," I snarl.
"I'm going to do my homework, and you can order me Five Guys. Oh, and Enzo? The past is done, but the future isn't. Make it good." She heads for the stairs, scampering up, and I think about sending her back to Dad or school for a nanosecond.
But...maybe she's right.
What if the kid can see things I can't? Even I am feeling the weight of trying to show her I'm a decent enough guy, and I care.
"Fuck."
I head upstairs.
She's still at the computer. The shoes are off, and she's lost in whatever she's working on.
I sent her a bogus thing today.
"Hey..."
Her smile is a little tight as she sees me. "Hey."
"If you're busy, I'll leave you to it."
"Company stuff. Coming up with something for HR and... It's silly. What's up?"
I'm about to back out of the room, my sister's words ringing in my head.
But then I find myself speaking. "It doesn't sound silly. How about you tell me all about it over drinks? There's a new bar that opened on the other side of the park..."
And she smiles once more.
It's genuine and hot.
"I'd love to."
Lola doesn't really drink her wine, but honestly, she's more interested in the fries I got for her.
Fine by me, she isn't eating breakfast or lunch, so if it's because of me, I want to undo that and... at least, fries to share is food in her belly.
Besides, I don't remember her being a big drinker.
She tells me about her idea of having a box where people can post their grievances to HR. People can keep it anonymous or not, and nothing is too small or big.
"And we could have a biweekly open discussion, and smaller complaints can be talked about in private."
"What if that small something escalates because of the private talk?"
"It's an office, the guys are always saying inappropriatethings. I don't think it's inconceivable to say numerous people left a note."
"But that could lead to resentment."
"Not if it's done right. It's about socially accepted norms, and some people miss clues that what's comfortable for some isn't for others. I'm thinking constructive conversation and reprimands that only come when the behaviors outright cross lines or the person is a repeat offender. Like I said before, it's silly, just something I got caught up in." She sips her water. "How was your day?"
"I had to spend time helping Dad with something, which I didn't want to do. But he did help get Lyndall back."
She frowns. "She's his daughter."
"It's Dad."
