AllFreeNovel
Share Us
David was perfectly happy to talk about the shows he was working on, including the teenage vampire series that had pushed him to the top of the heap, at least in Hollywood.
“I could get you an autographed picture of Todd Winbush,” he finished, turning back to Carol again. “He’s a great guy.”
Carol blinked. “Who’s Todd Winbush?”
David looked like he couldn’t decide whether to be confused or outraged. “He’s the star of Crimson. He was on the cover of Us a couple of weeks ago.”
Carol shrugged. “I don’t watch that show. Mom won’t let me.”
Actually, Carol had never been interested in watching the show, but she was right about Ruth not letting her. Nude millennial vampires who had a lot of sex were not her idea of appropriate subject matter for a twelve-year-old.
David turned toward her, frowning. “Why?”
“Because it’s for adults and mature teens. Carol’s too young to watch it now.” Which should be obvious, and probably was. Unless David wanted to start a fight over it.
He seemed to be considering that idea, but then he shrugged. “It’s all on Netflix when she’s old enough to watch.” He turned back to Carol again. “And when you do, remember—that offer about Todd Winbush stands. I can even introduce you to him.”
“Thank you,” Carol said politely.
Ruth pushed herself to her feet. “Let’s have dinner.”
Peaches’s chicken and rice was just what she’d promised—tasty and unobtrusive. David complimented Ruth on her cooking.
“It’s not mine. I had the cook at the deli make it for me.”
“The tasty little blonde? Sweet.” David’s grin made her grit her teeth.
Carol blinked at him. “Why do you think Peaches is tasty?”
David’s grin faded slightly. “I didn’t mean literally, Munchkin. She’s just…sweet.”
Carol nodded, although she still looked faintly confused. “She’s a very nice person.”
The rest of the dinner conversation went in fits and starts. David knew a lot about pop culture, but Carol didn’t, unless it was something she was interested in. After working his way through movies and television, he began to sound frustrated and Carol began to look slightly desperate. Finally, he hit upon video games, which produced a spirited and, as far as Ruth was concerned, well-nigh incomprehensible conversation.
“What kind of system do you have?” he asked finally.
Carol sighed. This was a sore point. “PlayStation 3 Superslim. What do you have?”
“Xbox One S. I picked it up as soon as it was available.” David gave her a slightly superior smile. “I’ve been on a PlayStation, but I like Xbox better.”
“Mine’s used. Our next door neighbor sold it to Mom when he got a new one.” Carol wasn’t exactly scowling, but her expression was definitely glum.
Ruth gritted her teeth. She knew what was coming. She just didn’t know exactly what to do about it.
“We can take care of that,” David said smoothly. “Would you rather have a new PlayStation or an Xbox?”
Carol stared at him blankly. For one of the few times in her life, she didn’t seem to know what to say. She glanced at Ruth.
“Carol’s been saving to buy her own new system,” she said tightly. “She’s been banking her pay from the deli. Anybody want dessert?”
She doubted either of them were fooled by that ploy, but she didn’t care. She was too annoyed to eat much of Peaches’s cheesecake, which was a shame, since it was really tasty.
Carol regarded her with a mixture of longing and resentment, wanting to be on her mother’s side, but also wanting a new Xbox.
Ruth managed to keep her expression bland, although her muscles ached with the urge to glower. Carol was over halfway to her goal amount. It was the first big purchase she’d saved for, and Ruth had been encouraging her to see it through.
Carol finished her cheesecake in record time. She turned an artificially bright smile on her father. “Do you want to play Minecraft?”
“Sorry, Munchkin. I’ve got an important call I have to take back at my hotel. Maybe next time.”
