Page 12 of Griffin

“How are you?” I ask, crossing my arms to ward off the chill from the fridges.

“Shit,” Griffin confesses, before looking at me with amusement.

“It’s a heatwave out there. You should be climbing into these fridges, girl.”

He chuckles, and I gaze at him, wondering for the millionth time how Griffin is single. It’s a small town, a man like him should’ve been snapped up by now.

Like my dad, I guess, Griffin had been burned by love with Angelica, Melody’s mother. My dad still loved my mother though, but Griffin doesn’t love anyone, as far as I know. It’s pretty sad, but I’m glad he has Melody to love now.

He deserves that, and I have no doubt he’ll be the best dad ever.

“Come on, shrimp.” Griffin grasps Melody’s hand but she halts, making him turn back.

“See you tonight for dinner?” Melody asks, looking at me hopefully.

“Sure, I finish at five. Are you sure it's okay?” I push my hair back as Griffin shrugs.

“It’s just pasta, don’t expect a rich meal.”

He winks at me before walking away, and Melody smiles.

I’m looking forward to it.

I love kids.

The day passes slowly, but five o’clock eventually rolls around. I head home first, showering and leaving a note for Dad. God knows where he is. Probably doing extra shifts, like usual. He swears he’s saving for a rainy day, but I think he’s planning on buying a motorbike or something. We don’t need money, we’re comfortable. We’re rich in other ways, I think to myself, quickly braiding my hair. I don’t know what time five-year-olds go to bed, but I’m sure it’s no later than eight PM, and we still have to eat dinner.

I scan my bed, my eyes falling on Pup, my beloved dog. He was cream from years of hugs instead of the pearl white he was when Dad got him for me, but he still had the cute puppy dog glass eyes I loved so much.

“Hey, Pup, want a new friend?” I murmur, picking him up and inhaling his comforting scent. “I know a little girl that might love you just as much as I do, and she needs you like I did, too.”

His plastic nose rubs against my cheek and I grin, pushing him into my purse. Skipping down the stairs, I check the fridge to make sure there's food for Dad. Sure enough, there’s chicken casserole from the night before. He gets my portion too, I think, laughing to myself. He’ll love that.

I hit the lights and lock up, heading to my car.

“Come on Pup, moving time.”

5

GRIFFIN

Ivy turns up a little after six, and Melody runs to the door to greet her. I’m stirring the pasta sauce into the pot, glancing over to see Ivy giving me a little wave from the doorway.

“Hey, Griffin, hey, Melody!” Ivy chirps, closing the door behind her.

“Hey, how was your day?”

I taste the pasta and turn off the heat, grabbing two giant bowls and the garlic bread from the oven.

Melody prefers to eat from a plate no matter the meal, so I dish hers up first, placing it on her mat with a cup of juice. I’m not used to sitting at the table to eat; whenever I’m eating, it’s usually at Kevin’s on the sofa or in front of the TV.

Ivy crouches to Melody, whispering something as I dish our food up. The garlic bread is a little overcooked, but I chop off the burnt pieces and place it onto a chopping board. Hardly the best presentation, but hey.

“Daddy, look!”

Melody runs towards me, trembling with excitement as she presents a stuffed dog. It looks like it’s seen better days, but when I look over to Ivy, she gives me a grin that tells me this is her doing.

“Well, now.” I hike up my pants and crouch. “Who’s this?”

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