AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“Because it’s offensive.”
He still seems utterly clueless. “I’m just trying to figure out what’s happening.”
“Well, using that word isn’t necessary or right.”
His gaze drops, and he studies my bare leg, squinting from my ankle to where my thigh is covered by my jean shorts. “Are you injured?”
“Not exactly.”
“But you can’t use your leg properly.”
“Thanks for stating the obvious.”
My sarcasm is lost on him. “You’re welcome.”
Since he doesn’t seem to be having any trouble carrying the heavy load of syrup, I hand him the money box, too, and I set my empty drink in the crate. “I forgot the flyers. Be right back.”
Leaning heavily on my cane, I turn around.
As I’m limping to the table, Ellister echoes, “Flyers?”
I grab the stack of blue papers I handed out to the customers who stopped by. “About the fundraiser tonight. Is that what you’re here for? Your business dealings, so you said?”
AKA, a hefty donation, perhaps?
The unaware look on Ellister’s face as I wave the papers tells me he probably knows nothing about the event.
Well, shit. There goes that possibility.
My mood sinks when I imagine an empty barn with a bunch of food going to waste as it sits untouched on the buffet table.
Hell, we might come out of this in the red if things don’t go right.
A buzzing inside my back pocket distracts me, and I tuck the stack under my arm so I can retrieve the phone. “Hey, Dad.”
“Have you had any episodes?” He skips tact and goes straight to the grilling.
“Just a tiny one,” I half-lie.
While Ellister goes around to the driver’s side, he watches me with such intensity. It makes me feel funny.
Good funny.
“I knew I shouldn’t have let you work the stand today,” Dad grits out.
“Well, I’m fine now.” I hear the lock disengage, and I lean on the door for a second to catch my breath. As usual, I’m a little winded from my short trek to the car, and my dad can hear it.
“What’s going on?”
“Stop worrying. I’m too old for you to be hovering. Your days as a helicopter parent are over.”
“I’ve never been a helicopter parent,” he defends.
“I know.” I smile a little. “So don’t start now.”
“You’re giving me gray hairs, you know that?”
I laugh, because his hair went completely white years ago. “Nice try at sympathy. I’ll be home soon.”
