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It’s especially a relief that everything is going well with work now that I’m thinking of a future with Violet. I want to make sure I can provide for her in every way. If she wants to use her degree and work, I’m all for it. If she’d rather be a stay-at-home mom, I know I can make that happen. I’ve worked hard over the years, and between the business and my personal rental properties, we can have a comfortable life together without having to worry too much about money.
My phone rings in my pocket, pulling me out of my thoughts of the future. I see it’s Bianca, and I answer with a smile. “Hey, pumpkin. How are you doing today?”
“Hi, Dad. You haven’t seen Violet, have you?” My entire body tenses up and I can hear blood rushing through my ears. How could she possibly know? Did someone see us together last night and tell her?
“No. Why would you think I’ve seen Violet?” I rush out, my brain quickly scrambling for something, anything, that will smooth this situation over.
“Uh, because you’re her boss. Duh, Dad.” All the tension in my body releases, and I lean against the wall. I’m Violet’s boss. Duh, is right.
“Right, sorry. I can hardly hear you. I’m at a job site. But I think that she has a class this morning, so she won’t be at the office.”
“Damn, I wanted to talk to her about something.”
“Is it anything I can help you out with?”
“No, no, it’s fine. I just wanted to talk to her about some stuff. No big deal.”
I’ve known my daughter for twenty-three years, and I know when she’s hiding something from me. I decide not to push. Apparently, we both have secrets we’re not ready to share.
“So, Mom and I are going out tonight to celebrate her first day at her new job. Do you want to join us?” she asks innocently, but I know better.
“Bianca, I’m still pissed about the stunt you pulled last time the three of us were supposed to have dinner.”
“It wasn’t a stunt, I swear. I had to babysit at the last minute—”
“Babysit?” I ask incredulously, interrupting her. Now I know she’s lying.
“Yeah, babysit. Why does everybody seem so surprised by that?”
“Well, you’ve never exactly hidden your dislike of children, honey.” I pace the large, empty living room of the house.
“Yeah, well, Oliver is different. He’s a pretty cool kid.”
I’m stunned. She’s done everything she could to avoid children since she was a teen and got her diagnosis, but she actually sounds fond of whoever this kid is. Maybe, as she’s growing older, she’s deciding that she really does want a family.
I say my next words hesitantly. I don’t want to upset her, but I want her to remember that she has options. “You know, it’s been a long time since we spoke to that doctor. There’s a lot of new—”
“Stop!” she snaps at me. “This is not a discussion we are having right now. Or ever. I told you I don’t want kids. Just because I babysat one kid a few times and didn’t hate it doesn’t change that. So just leave it.”
“You’re right, I’m sorry.” I know why she’s being defensive, and it’s clear this is a subject she’s not willing to talk about right now. That’s fine. At least she knows I’m here if she ever wants to talk about it. So, instead of pushing, I bring the topic back around to Amanda. It’s time to make it very clear to my daughter what my intentions are with my ex-wife. “I don’t think I can make dinner tonight. I’m going to have to work late in the office, since I’m going to be out most of the day and it’s Violet’s day off.” I don’t mention that I have every intention of spreading Violet out on my desk and eating her pussy until she screams my name instead. For obvious reasons.
“That’s too bad. Maybe we can stop by afterward and say hi. Make sure you aren’t working too hard.”
“That’s not a good idea, honey.” I take a step outside to the newly poured patio, complete with built-in barbecue and fire pit for a little added privacy. “Listen Bianca, I really need you to hear me on this, okay?”
“Yeah, Dad. What’s going on?”
“You need to cut this shit out with me and your mom. I know you’re trying to fulfill some wild fantasy where the two of us get back together, but I already told you it’s not going to happen. The only connection I have with Amanda is because of you. The truth is, if you hadn’t come along I would probably have broken up with her while we were still in high school and been happy to never see her again. I don’t need you or anyone else interfering with my love life. Whether I’m with somebody or not, your mother and I have absolutely zero chance of getting back together. You need to get rid of this crazy idea of yours once and for all. Do you understand?” I stop my rant and wait for her response. Even though I know what I said came off harshly, it felt good to finally get it off my chest, especially if it means that Bianca will stop pushing Amanda and me together.
Her voice is ice cold when she speaks next. “You won’t even give her a chance, Dad. She’s changed since back then. You’re just being a stubborn asshole, and it’s going to keep you alone for the rest of your life.”
“Bianca? Bianca!” I pull the phone away from my ear and see that she’s disconnected the call. I should have realized that I was pushing her hard enough to bring her fiery temper out. She doesn’t normally direct it at me, but when she does, it stings. The good thing about my daughter is that she gets over things like this pretty quickly. I just hope that she’s really gotten the point that Amanda is not the one for me. I just worry she might be less forgiving when she finds out her best friend is.
“Everything all right out here, boss?” Jake’s poked his head outside and is watching me pace the length of the patio. “You know, we didn’t account for that amount of wear and tear when we poured that concrete. Careful you don’t wear a hole in it.”
“Don’t be a smart ass,” I tell him and take a seat on the edge of the newly installed fire pit. “Bianca and I were just having a... disagreement.”
“Oh. So, she’s found out about you and Violet, huh?”
