Simon nods but continues furiously whisking the concoction in the bowl.
“I called you ‘Dad,’” I say more emphatically. “That’s big.”
“You did. And it is.”
“When I was in the cab on the way to the airport...” I’m rather stunned. “I did it then, too.”
“Yes. I wasn’t sure if you...meant it.”
A smile overtakes me. Happiness overtakes me. “I did.”
“I like that.” Simon’s face looks so sweet right now, and it eases my stress and upset.
“I remember asking you to help me.”
“Yes.”
“And you did. You always do.”
“And I always will.”
I fiddle with arranging a series of cake toppings, lining up small containers of sparkles, pearls, and shimmery sugars. There are about ten food stains on my sleeves, but I don’t care. “I know that. I see now that I haven’t ever doubted that. Doubtedyou. Not really. You’re my father. My dad.”
“Forever.”
So, while I haven’t questioned Simon, I apparently had a massive failure when it came to trusting Esben. I slump forward. God, he deserved more. “Esben stopped texting and calling on Tuesday morning. That’s not a good sign. I could be too late. What if I’ve lost everything?”
“You haven’t,” Simon states with conviction as he pulls a perfectly risen chocolate cake from the oven. “It’s only been a few days. A few days since you lost Steffi, since you blew up at Esben. Pull yourself together, and be rational, okay? And, really, come on now. You perfected the trifle. How can anything bad happen after such an accomplishment?”
“I called you ‘Dad’ and made a trifle that didn’t make anyone want to puke. Two milestones, right?” I ask hopefully.
“Right.” Simon beams as he holds out a spoonful of his cream-cheese frosting for me to taste.
“You’re still driving me back to school tomorrow, right?” I ask.
“Yes, why?”
I lean in and taste the frosting. It’s perfect, of course. “I need to call Kerry. Get advice and girl talk before I get back to school. Do you mind?”
“Not at all. Run off. Be a college kid who doesn’t help clean up the kitchen—it’s fine. I will somehow manage...without you.” He feigns distress, and his act is so over-the-top that I laugh. I actually laugh for the first time in days.
“I’ll be back in a few minutes, and I will scour this kitchen, I swear.”
“Don’t worry about it.” Simon suddenly feigns casualness. “Allison? If you’d like, you could ... just take my old car yourself, okay? I have the new one now.”
“Oh, yes. That simple little Porsche. You kept the other one? That I know you don’t need?” I eat another five scoops of frosting and try to suppress a smile before Simon grabs the spoon from my hand.
“Just say yes.”
Technically, Simon didn’t buy me a car...
“Okay. Yes.”
I don’t want to make a big deal out of this, but Simon walks over to Bruce and begins petting him like crazy. “Did you hear that? Our Allison is now the proud owner of a car.”
Bruce thumps his tail and pants as though he’s actually excited.
“More importantly, what’s up with Kerry?” Simon asks as he rubs his nose against Bruce’s. “What’s this call about?”
