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As Randy turned to sit down on the sofa, I briefly pictured him and the dog going back into the elevator and far away from me. But what the hell, he’s a good listener, enjoys sex, and is trying to get some more credit cards to keep me happy. I just hope all his future tokens of affection will be inanimate.
I took a deep breath and carried my new roommate into the next room.
Chapter 10
SAUNDRA
Daddy was upset when I told him about Evelyn’s idea. It was a quiet weekday evening and we were watching the big screen TV downstairs in the living room. A commercial that was hawking ridiculously expensive sneakers interrupted a program on the mystery of Stonehenge when I told him about the proposed engagement party.
He had been reclining in the La-Z-Boy. Now, he snapped the clutch and the chair sprung upright. He frowned at me sitting cross-legged on our plush beige carpet. “Here, in this house?”
“Well, Daddy, it wouldn’t make sense to rent space. We’re already going to shell out money for a reception hall. Besides, I think getting together in an intimate setting is the whole point.”
“Do you realize what a difficult position that would put me in?”
“What do you mean?”
“Nothing,” he muttered.
I sensed that I was onto something. “Tell me, Daddy.”
He stroked his chin and didn’t answer.
“Daddy?”
“No one in Lola Smith’s family has ever laid eyes on me. What could I possibly say to them after all this time?”
“They saw you at the funeral.”
“Oh, yeah. Right.” He lapsed into silence again.
I was afraid to ask the next question but the energy in the room had become real weird. Why?
“Does mama’s family dislike you for some reason?”
“Probably.”
“Talk to me, Daddy!”
“About what?”
Now he was going to play dumb.
“What they might be holding against you.”
Daddy exhaled noisily. “Saundra, when your mother got pregnant with you, she expected me to marry her. She told me that. She also told her sisters that we were going to tie the knot. I’m guessing that when it didn’t happen, she was very embarrassed. I’m also guessing that they hate me for being another guy who let her down.”
“This isn’t like you, Daddy.”
“What do you mean?”
“It isn’t like you to put your own interests before mine. I mean, this engagement party is about me and Yero and the children we’re going to have. It’s not about you or your discomfort. I’m very disappointed in you right now.”
He looked like I had slapped him. “Aw, baby, I’m sorry. You’re right. I’m being selfish.”
“Daddy, can I ask you something?”
Now he looked wary. “Yes, but I’m not promising to answer.”
