Page 65 of Jackass
“Well, if you need me to beat some sense…”
I looked up at my dad when his voice trailed off.
“Dad?” I followed his gaze to where Samantha was talking to Carrie. “What’s wrong?”
“Who is that?” he asked, jutting his chin toward the two women.
“Who, Samantha? You know her. She works at The Diner,” I said, confused.
“No, the other woman talking to her.”
“Oh, that’s Carrie. Samantha’s friend,” I replied. Noticing a strange expression cross his face, I said, “Dad?”
“She seems familiar. I can’t place her, but I’m sure I know her.” He continued to stare at Carrie. She must have felt someone looking because she turned and looked at us. Her eyes widened for just a second.
Samantha must have noticed, because she turned as well. She smiled like she thought Carrie was staring at my dad because he was handsome.
I noticed the moment fear clouded her expression. It wasn’t there long, but it was definitely there.
Interesting.
“Do you think you know her from Arkansas?” I asked him.
“Maybe,” he replied distractedly, his eyes still settled onCarrie. “What’s her name?”
“Carrie, I told you.”
“Carrie what, Beck?”
“Oh, I don’t know. I can ask Samantha. I told Jack he should have Nav look into her.”
Samantha touched Carrie’s arm, then turned and started walking in our direction, while Carrie walked in the other direction.
“Hello, Sheriff,” Samantha crooned, greeting my father.
“Hi, Samantha.”
“I think my friend might have a crush on your dad, Beck. She was asking all kinds of questions about him,” Samantha teased. “I don’t think I have ever seen her take an interest in someone in all the years I’ve known her.”
“How long have you known her?” my dad asked, taking his eyes off Carrie and focusing on Samantha.
“Gosh, almost seven years now.” Samantha elbowed my dad playfully, then offered, “I can introduce you, if you like.”
“How old is she?”
I could tell Samantha thought my dad was interested. And he was, but not for the reasons she thought. I’d gotten to know my dad pretty well since we found each other. One thing I’d learned was he had a way of interrogating you without you realizing what he was doing.
“Um, I think she’s thirty-two,” Samantha said.
“Hmmm, too young for me.” Dad smiled. “Maybe I’ll say hello though, when I make my rounds. First, I need to eat. I’m starving.” Dad stepped away, grabbing a plate and filling it with food.
“Samantha, I wanted to apologize for earlier. I don’t want you to think Jack and I were ganging up on you.”
“It’s fine. I know Jack doesn’t like Carrie. I think he’s just jealous because Carrie has known Charlie since birth. And I get it. I just wish he would give her a chance.”
“Give him some time,” I said.
I wouldn’t tell her that my dad, the cop, had somereservations also, and he hadn’t even met Carrie yet.