Page 65 of DadBod
ELIZABETH
“Where the fuckdid all of these people come from?”
I don’t have time to address Jeriann’s question because we all just got our tables sat. At once. “Someone said there was a big event up the street and it just got out.” It happens quite a bit in the neighborhood since one of our baseball teams plays a few blocks away and there’s a big theater even closer. “I didn’t realize there was anything going on tonight.”
Ordinarily, Rome keeps track of those things and lets us know how to prepare. Not tonight. Tonight, we got swamped after the rush.
“Cal?” I look for my helper but he’s nowhere to be found. “Cal?”
Crap. I need help getting salads. Rushing back into the kitchen, I start to make my salads for a six-top when Monica stomps over to me. “You had better do something about that kid,” she spits.
“Calvin?”
“Whatever his fucking name is. He’s in my way.”
He’s not. He’s been by my side all night. “Where is he?”
“Who the fuck cares? I told him to get lost.”
Throwing croutons on the salads, I stop, turn, and look her straight in the eye. “You do know he’s Rome’s son, right?”
“So what? Rome shouldn’t have his kid here when he’s not.”
Ignoring her, I rush the salads out to my table and get drink orders for my two newest all the while looking out for Calvin. “I’ve got to find him,” I tell Jeriann at the bar. “Have you seen him?”
“No. Maybe he’s in Rome’s office.”
“Oh. Yeah.” That’s a good place for him to go. “Be right back.” I jog off the floor, push the door open to the kitchen, and make my way toward the back to Rome’s little office. The light is on, which tells me Calvin’s probably in there. Pushing the door open, I see the little man sitting at his father’s desk. “Cal?”
It’s obvious he’s been crying. I hurry to the other side of the desk and squat down, making my knees pop as I go. Ignoring the aches that come with that, I ask, “What’s wrong?”
“Nothing.”
“Was it Monica? Did she say something?”
He lifts both shoulders up in a shrug. “Well, you can stay here until you’re ready, but then I need your help. We just got slammed.”
“You don’t need me. I’m in the way.”
“Don’t listen to her. She’s––she’s a big ole meanie.” I could have said much more, but I chose to take the high road.
He nods as he wipes off his cheek. “Don’t tell my dad.”
Which part? “That you cried?”
Calvin shakes his cute little head. “No. About her. He won’t let me come back if he thinks I’m in the way.”
I give that some thought. The little man is probably right. “I think he should know she was mean to you.” I’d love to tell on her, but it doesn’t sound like that’s going to happen.
“No. I like coming here.”
“Okay. If you think that’s best. But if she’s mean to you again, I’m going to open up a can of whoop-ass on her and I’m telling your dad.”
Calvin giggles, and it’s the best sound in the world. “Whoop-ass?”
“Shh. Don’t repeat that. It’s a bad word. I shouldn’t have said it.”
“I won’t tell if you don’t.”