Page 35 of Ivy’s Poison

Not sure why, but I instantly became annoyed. “What are you two yapping about?”

Pointing to something on the menu for Beth to see, Ivy told me, “When Jade is hungry, she becomes a miniature grizzly bear.” She lazily gestured to me. “Now, we know why.”

The thought of my kid having discomfort had me practically roaring, “Is there a fucking waitress in this joint?”

“Champ!” Ivy chastised me in a whisper.

“What?”

A young waitress rushed up to our table. “I’m so sorry. My cousin snuck off with her boyfriend, so I’m the only one on the floor tonight.”

Beth casually explained, “No worries, darlin’. He just escaped the zoo. Still learning manners.” Then she gave me some sort of evil glare.

I snarled.

The waitress took a step back.

Ivy said, “Jade, want to give hugs?”

My little angel gasped then threw her arms around my neck. They barely fit but it was the best hug I had ever received. No joke. I wasn’t used to affection of any kind, and this embrace melted me and shook my heart to life. Instantly, I was willing to give anything I had to offer. Instantly, I knew I would die for her if it meant keeping her safe.

In the background of my bliss, I heard women ah’ing and doing ridiculous noises like that. Then the waitress told Ivy and Beth, “I have a feeling that the day anyone messes with that little girl will be a day they deeply regret.”

Growl…

Ivy rolled her eyes then told the waitress, “Jade will have milk with mac-n-cheese, and I will have an iced tea and a Chef’s salad, please, with oil and vinegar.”

After Beth placed her order, the waitress looked at me. Jade was playing with my beard again while I said, “Biggest burger you’ve got. Add two patties. Double the fries.”

The waitress walked away as I found more gaping mouths across the booth. “What?” Before they could answer, if they were even going to, I hollered over my shoulder, “And a coke.”

Ivy blinked. “Can you at least say please?”

“What the fuck for?”

Blowing out air, she sat back as if I was hopeless.

The waitress earned my respect when she brought out Jade’s food first, understanding my kid was to be doted on. Jade squealed and skipped the whole utensil process, shoving her tiny paw right into the bowl. Laughter busted from my lungs. I mean, I outright laughed at the aggression. Jade laughed, too, with half-chewed cheesy noodles bouncing in her mouth. Soon I was grabbing my stomach, unaware laughter could work your stomach muscles like that.

More jaws hung from across the table, but I couldn’t have cared less. Jade, in one dinner, had me smiling and laughing more than anyone in my entire life. She even shared a couple of noodles with me. Tasting the fake food, I informed her mother, “She needs protein. There’s no substance in this.”

“You don’t know what you’re talking about, Champ. She’s a picky eater.”

“We’ll see about that.”

When the rest of our order came, a mediocre sized meal was placed in front of me. I picked up my burger and said, “Yo, kid. Watch and learn.” Jade observed as I took a huge bite. Mouth full, I held my burger out for her. “Wan’ some?”

Females gasped in horror as my kid opened wide then locked down on my burger like a pit bull. I could barely chew nor swallow while laughing in hysterics. Jade jerked her tiny head left to right in attempts to break a piece free. Finally succeeding, she laughed and chewed like a man, showing all the activity in her mouth.

About to choke due to laughing so hard, I put my burger down, wiped my hands on my pants, and grabbed my Coke. The straw was almost to my mouth when Jade took interest in my beverage. Of course, I was now ignoring my own thirst and bringing the straw to her mouth but stopped when I wasn’t the one growling for once. My eyes raced to Ivy and Beth who were glaring at me. I huffed, “Now what?”

With unnecessary attitude, Ivy told me, “Do you know how hard it is to get a child to sleep after drinking pure sugar?”

“Not-a-fucking-clue.”

Cutting up her salad, Beth asked, “Want to find out while locked in a vehicle for the next thirteen hours?”

I put the Coke down and scanned for the waitress. She was at another table, across the restaurant. So, I yelled, “Hey, can I have some milk?”