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I stepped out in my plushy emerald robe. Thank the universe my dad still kept all my shit here because this was the perfect morning to wear it. I could hear the sizzle of bacon as I made my way downstairs, each pop producing a contrasting warmth that paired with the sweet waffles that sat warmly on the table. Yum. Dad was always a great breakfast cook; he’d cook for Mom and me before leaving for his shift. What could I say? Dad was always so thoughtful and loving.
“Good morning, Dad,” I squeaked hugging him tightly, kissing his forehead. The dining table was set up with three plates. I grabbed mine and picked out what I wanted to eat—it was everything in sight. Do orgasms make women hungrier? I had better tab that question for later; I needed to know.
“Have a great night?” He asked innocently, but I blushed, my heated cheeks surely an admission to my night. I felt like I got caught with my hand in the cookie jar, or rather, my hand in my cookie.
As I cut through my waffle with a fork, I shielded the tomato — that which was my face — resting one of my cheeks on my free palm. I knew he wasn’t asking about my late, late night, but still that’s where my mind wandered off to first.
“It was…” I hesitated as I flashed back seeing Eve and Robbie, “interesting…”
“That’s all I get? Come on.”
“Eve and Willie left early, and it was just Robbie and me eating delicious sixty-dollar steaks with sizzling butter on top. Oh, and the bread, to die for.” I kissed the air with a smacking sound to show my adoration for bread. “But anyway, Dad, how are you doing? How are the guys back at the station? I haven’t seen them in years.”
“Oh, you know, they are the same old guys, just with more of a gray mane than you’d remember. After I told them you were here, they blathered about the memories they had of you as a kid. Most of the men are still kicking it with your old man these days.” He chuckled while at the same time indulging in fresh strawberries.
The firehouse was a warm second home for me, and it was nice to hear they were all doing well. When Mom died, they were all there for my father and me like a close-knit family.
I lowered my gaze thinking about my mom. It’d been sixteen years since we lost her to cancer, and I wished, more than anything, she were here to tell me what to do about Robbie. Maybe she’d guide me toward the right path — at least that’s what I’d like to think. I know Dad could help if I communicated, but something tells me his opinions would be biased against Robbie. Besides there was something about a mother’s intuition none could ever rival.
Eve was usually my go-to person for everything, but the pit at the bottom of my stomach was still present. How do you ask your go-to person what the hell was happening when it involved them?
“I know they’d love to see you before you go back to New York. In fact, the charity ball is tomorrow. Don’t forget, ok?”
My phone buzzed as Dad talked about his fire friends, but my heart paced quickly at the thought that it could be Nathan.
“Absolutely, Dad. Those guys are family.” My dad’s warm smile appeared as he bit into his crispy bacon.
Shit. Not Nathan, but an airline text reminding me of my inevitable departure. How evil it was they reminded me while on vacation, my heart fluttered for no reason. Not long after, my phone belted out Christina Aguilera. Speak of the devil, Eve was calling. I held up my finger at Dad to hang on, as I shuffled into the next room.
“Hey, how’s it going?” I asked as I answered.
“Oh, it’s going amazing. Sleeping in is the best thing a human can do in their life, did you know that? I’m not used to sleeping in as much as I’d like, because you know being a nurse takes a lot out of me.” She squeaked out as she groaned into her stretch. “Oh anyway, what are your plans today?”
“Well, Robbie wanted me to show him around, you know give him the good ol’ state tour. Maybe I can show him our secret treehouse where we’d divulge our secrets.”
“Not a chance in hell! If that treehouse was still there, no boys were ever allowed. Remember?”
“Are you making it an exclusive no-Robbie zone, because I remember catching you and… who was that again back Freshman year?”
“Ugh, did you really have to mention Erick? God, he had the smallest lips, worst kisser ever. Whatever, fine.” Her annoyance flared in her voice.
A knock sounded at the doorframe of the living room, when I turned it was Robbie, “One sec, Eve.” I said covering my phone.
“Babe, bad news. I just got a call from work, and there’s some bullshit going on with the stocks. Apparently, they need me today. Obviously, I’m not flying back home, but I’ll be taking the day to work. Will that be ok with you? I know we had plans, and I was looking forward to it…”
“Oh, that’s ok. I know work is important. I’ll make plans with Eve.” I blurted out, trying to hide the excitement from my creasing eyes.
Robbie nodded and headed to grab breakfast.
“Eve,” I whispered as if Robbie was within earshot. “Thank my lucky stars because you and I are going out. Robbie’s gotta work. Besides, there’s something I want to talk to you about.”
“…Ok.” Eve said hesitantly. Then the phone was silent. It’s unlike Eve to hang silence between us, because that didn’t exist in our communication world. “Well, be ready, because I’m already almost at your house.” She disconnected the call right away, leaving me with my mouth wide open.
I couldn’t help but stare at the bits of toast wedged in Dad’s mustache. Completely aloof to the oddness of my trip so far. I was determined to keep it that way as I made my way back to the table.
“If it isn’t Mr. Sunshine himself to grace us with his presence.” I strolled toward Robbie and kissed his cheek. He was shirtless, his hair disheveled, and syrup was dripping from the corner of his mouth. I snatched a napkin from the table when I sat down next to him. To test out my wife skills, I tried to clean the mess on the corner of his lip, his eyes widened with surprise.
“Wow, what service. Now this is how a king gets treated.”
