Page 95 of DadBod
“Shhh. He’s still here.” I giggle at Jeriann as she enters Rome’s front door.
“Let me see it.” Holding her hand out, palm up, she raises both of her eyebrows up and down. “Your photo can’t be as bad as mine.”
It is.
Jeri’s talking about my driver’s license photo. I sent her a text telling her I passed my test (by the hair of my chinny-chin-chin) and that my photo was atrocious. I look more like a serial killer than a woman in her midtwenties. Why can’t we smile anymore? Even without showing teeth. I mean, if I was getting pulled over, the first thing I’d do is smile at the police in the hopes I could butter them up and avoid a ticket. But no. Not anymore.
Slipping the card out of my back pocket, I set it in her palm. The bitch doesn’t even try to make me feel better. “Holy shit, honey bun. You look like shit.”
“Hey,” Rome says, coming down the steps as he knots his tie for the day. It’s another one with a lot of blues and grays in it. He needs one with pinks and purples. Maybe I could get him one…
Oh, shit. I’m buying gifts for the man now?
No. That’s not happening.
“Hey, Dad…” Jeriann snickers. “I mean, Boss.”
“I’m not your dad,” Rome growls at Jeriann.
“No shit.”
Looking at me, he asks, “Is Cal ready to go?”
“He’s showered and dressed. I think he’s in the basement.” Calvin’s going with Rome for the day. He wants to show him how to bus tables in anticipation of helping us at the restaurant during the Hamilton run. Also, I mentioned to Rome how nice it would be for him to spend one-on-one time with the kids. He agreed.
“What are you two doing today?”
“Two besties having lunch.” Jeriann pauses. “At your expense.”
“Sounds about right.” Rome doesn’t even bat an eye at the last comment. “Leftover lasagna in the fridge.”
Jeriann has balls of steel. “No offense, Rome, but I’m Italianed out. I need me some Thai, or better yet, sushi.”
That does sound good. “Thai.”
“Ryann doesn’t like Thai,” Rome says as he slips on his gray suit jacket. I’ve seen this one before, and I like it. Not as much as the navy or even one of his black suits, but it’s nice on him.
“She’ll have to deal, Boss. I’m sure they’ve got something she’ll eat.”
“Fried rice,” I add. “Everyone likes fried rice.”
“I hate rice,” the young woman herself says as she stomps down the steps. It’s the first I’ve seen of her today, and she already seems angry. “I want to go to see Charlie.”
“I can’t today––”
Ryann interrupts me. “I’m talking to my father. Not you.”
“Jesus, Ryann. Stop talking to Elizabeth like that.”
If you thought Rome said that, you’d be mistaken. Jeriann isn’t done. “Elizabeth is nice. She’s the kind of person you want on your side.”
“Whatever.” Ryann rolls her eyes and turns to her father. “Dad. I want to go to the animal shelter.”
“Fine,” he answers absently. “Elizabeth will take you and pick you up.”
I will?Geez, he could have talked to me about this first. I guess I’ve got the car now, but the shelter is only a few blocks away. “I’ll walk with you.”
“Walk? Again?” Ryann whines. “I thought you could drive now.”