Page 11 of Perfect Enough
“No, you only want to play with it, and we don’t play with our food.”
As I took another bite, my phone dinged with a message.
I turned it over to see I had a text from…
My father.
Nearly falling off the stool, I stumbled a few steps away and stared at the phone. I stood there long enough for my phone to give me the second notification. Finally, Spice approached my plate, and I had to shoo him away.
With shaking hands, I picked up my cell, swiped it, and read the message from my father. Mydeadfather.
Daddy: First, I’d like to say that not all men are assholes. No. First, I’d like to say I’m sorry for your loss. THEN I’d like to say not all men are assholes. Second, or is it third? This Drake guy does, indeed, sound like a total asshole.
A small laugh slipped free, and I slowly shook my head to clear my fogged brain. My mother must have canceled my father’s phone and someone got the new number. The sadness at that thought caused me to rub my chest, as if it physically hurt to lose yet another part of my father.
Me: Who is this?
I saw the dots moving as the person on the other end of the line started to reply to my question.
Daddy: My name is Josh Shaw. I got this phone with a new number because, according to my captain, I’m a dumbass who can’t seem to keep track of anything unless it’s attached to me.
Biting my lower lip, I stared at the name. Josh Shaw. Then my eyes moved to the word “Captain.” Was he in the military?
Before I could ask, he replied again.
Daddy: I’m sorry I didn’t say anything when you texted previously, thinking you were texting your father’s number. I feel like I invaded your privacy. I told myself if you texted again, I’d respond. Then you went off and said all men are assholes, and being a man myself, I felt compelled to defend our few good ones.
I laughed.
Me: Does that include you? Are you one of the good ones, Josh Shaw?
The dots started, and I found myself anxious to see what he’d reply with.
Daddy: I’d like to think I am. My parents raised me right, and if my mother ever caught me disrespecting a woman, I’m pretty sure she’d try to break an arm…or two.
For the first time in nearly five months, I felt myself smiling so wide, my cheeks ached.
Me: My name is Sophia Montgomery. It’s nice to meet you, Josh. I’m glad you said something and didn’t let me keep texting a ghost. I’m sorry for that, but it feels good to smile, and even laugh a bit.
Daddy: You know, Sophia Montgomery, you can text anytime to talk to your dad.
Tears pooled in my eyes at his kind words, and I forced myself not to start crying again. As much as it hurt to do so, I changed the contact name from my father to Josh’s name.
Me: You seem like a nice guy, Josh. But nice guys have fooled me before, soooo…
Josh Shaw: Then it looks like I’ll have to prove it. Let’s start now. How was your day today, Sophia? Well, besides the crying part and what caused that.
Me: It was okay. My mother tried to set me up on a dating website, then tried to get my best friend, Chloe, to answer the questions for her.
The bubbles started, and I found myself holding my breath. I wasn’t sure why. I had sworn off all men for the foreseeable future, but there was something…safe…about this one. This guy couldn’t hurt me through my phone.
Josh Shaw: Wow. I’ve got to be honest, I don’t have any response to that. I’m not sure what I would do if my mother did that.
I smiled. Then my curiosity got the best of me. How could I go about asking him if he had a girlfriend and not seem like I was interested?
Me: My mother is desperate to see me with someone. What about you? Single? Dating? Married?
Josh Shaw: No girlfriend. My job tends to scare them away.