Chapter Eight
Rhodes
“I’m starting to think we should’ve picked that deep-dish place close to downtown.” Daddy tried to look subtle as he glanced around the restaurant, but I was pretty sure he wanted to glare and grumble. “I heard good things about this online but I’m not sure what’s going on today.”
That was a very good question.
“I was in here just after it opened and it was fun.” It was still kind of fun with music and different games in the back corner, but it would’ve been nicer if someone would come take our order. “Maybe they’re low on staff?”
They weren’t crazy busy but maybe they had problems in the kitchen? And in the dining room? And at the door?
They were low on manners at the very least.
“We’ll give them a few more minutes. I’m sure there’s just an issue behind the scenes.” Daddy nodded toward the games. “I think I see Pac-Man back there. I bet I could beat my little cheater at that.”
Giggling would’ve made me look guilty, so I kept my serious face in place and raised one eyebrow. “Cheater? I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
Daddy just needed to pay more attention when we were playing.
Oops.
They all fall down.
Oh dear.
Sitting up straighter, I glared at him. “No toy talk.”
His smile was very polite but he was thinking about being naughty. “I like talking to you about toys and books and cartoons.”
Ugh.
“We… we can also talk about movies we’ve seen lately and… and if you’ve read any good biographies lately.” Daddy seemed like the nonfiction type to me. “And… and about your favorite restaurants.”
Since I was pretty sure we weren’t coming back to this one.
I felt kind of bad because I’d suggested it but Daddy had heard good things about it too. He’d even had a friend who’d come because they were supposed to be friendly to everyone.
They even had rainbow stickers on the door.
So far all we’d gotten was water and frowns, so I was starting to wonder if they didn’t understand that rainbows meant happy.
And gay.
That meant happy too, though, which was why it was kind of a funny word that made Little me want to giggle.
Oh dear.
Big thoughts.
Big thoughts.
Big thoughts.
“What do you think of the market?” Sitting straighter, I ignored the way Daddy’s eyes twinkled. “I can talk about thestock market or the supermarket. Did you see that chicken was on sale?”
His smiling eyes were dangerous even if he kept the rest of his face neutral. “Would you like to hear my recipe for chicken nuggets? I know how to make colored ones. What do you think about blue nuggets?”
Blue?
