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“Yes, until you turned six and branched out into macaroni and cheese. You thought you were so grown up eating dinner for dinner.”
“Mother always hated that you would indulge me.”
“I thought you’d favor it tonight.” Her father removed his tray. A steak as large as his head sat on the plate, along with clouds of mashed potatoes drenched in butter. He poured himself a hearty glass of Sangre to wash it down.
“Father, you can’t eat such things.”
“I can eat whatever I want, Lila girl. I am a man who makes his own decisions. I very often make poor ones. Perhaps this is a poor one too, having this tonight, having you here with me as I do, but I hope you won’t hate me for it later. Stay with me tonight, Lila. Please?”
“Of course, Father.”
He dug in his pocket, withdrew a few white pills, and settled them on the table.
“What’s that?”
“A new prescription,” he answered, patting his heart.
“A doctor didn’t give you that so you could eat what you wanted. But I suppose it’s the eve of the Winter Solstice, and I can always yell at you for it tomorrow. I don’t care what Mother says. I’m not going to stop seeing you just because she threw a snit.”
“See what I mean? You’ve always had a mind of your own.” He picked up his knife and fork and cut into his steak. “Let’s not talk about her any longer tonight. Let’s just eat dinner and watch a movie, just like the old days. Let’s pretend you’re a kid again and forget about everything going on outside these doors. That would make me a very happy man indeed.”
Lila chewed a bite of her pancake. Perhaps she could use a bit of pretending too.
Perhaps she needed to tell him about what grew inside her belly, and who had put it there. Her father would say the right thing. He always did.
Perhaps she’d tell him in the morning over breakfast.
The pair ate slowly, laughing at private jokes, recalling things from her childhood. Her father seemed sad tonight, quickly lapsing into silences until Lila brought him out again with yet another “Hey, do you remember that time when…” Moments of Shiloh running though Falcon Home, diaper abandoned because he hated clothes, just like Lila when she’d been that age. Moments of Lila’s earliest exploits in Bullstow, being returned with a permanent pout etched into her face because she’d been caught.
Soon, her father lapsed into another silence.
Lila excused herself and returned with the box tied in gold ribbon. “I brought your gift for the solstice. I hope it serves you well in retirement.”
Her father pulled the strings on the bow. He slipped off the lid and dug carefully through the golden tissue paper, crinkling at his touch. “You didn’t have to get me anything, Lila.”
“I always get you something for the solstices. Why wouldn’t I get you something this time? It might not be as good as a box of cigars, but—”
“No, it’s perfect.” Her father lifted a curved piece of ash from the wrapping. He rubbed the boomerang with a heavy thumb and looked into her eyes. “This is exactly what I needed tonight, Lila. Thank you.”
He dug into his pocket and pulled out a silver heart pendant on a rope chain. “I didn’t get a chance to wrap it. I thought it was a locket when I bought it at the shop. I thought I might be able to hide something inside. Alas, it seems I’m out of luck.”
Lila rubbed her thumb against the ridges and joints. It looked as though it had been broken into pieces, polished, then put back together and polished further. “I might have made the same mistake,” she admitted before slipping it over her head.
The chain tugged at her neck, heavier and less delicate than other pendants she’d worn.
“It’s beautiful, Father. I’ll treasure it always.” She hopped off the couch. “How about a cup of tea?”
“I’d love one.”
She skittered to the kitchen, digging through his cabinets. While the water boiled, she sent a message to the oracle. My father asked me to stay the night. Please give Kenna my apologies. I’ll return to the compound tomorrow, and I need to talk with you then. It seems that Mr. Tobias Shaw will be up for auction soon. None of the families will bid if you express interest. He can help your sisters secure their compounds. Just remember, his loyalty will always remain with Saxony and Bullstow.
Be well tonight, Mòr wrote back. Come see me when you return to the compound, no matter the time. We’ll talk then.
Lila slipped her palm back into her pocket, waiting for the kettle. Her mother could kiss her ass. She’d never give up her father’s retirement. Lila had once felt that she hadn’t been more than an employee to him, but that wasn’t true. They’d just always been so damn busy. After his retirement, they’d have time.
Perhaps it was a blessing.
Was it awful to find joy in his disappointment?
