Page 61 of Forfeits

We sat in silence for a bit longer, sipping our coffees. Then Aiden turned to me.

“Okay, look. This is how I see it, but feel free to disagree. Letting Lucy’s grandparents have access is a non-issue, right? It’s important for them, and it’s important for Lucy.”

“Right. I’d never in my wildest dreams deny them that. It’s another connection to Daniel, and they all need it.”

“Okay. So she goes to their place for the weekend, and you and me have a good time, and we take your mind off the things Daniel’s parents said to you and any future challenges in that area. Because the alternative is that you brood and worry, and I’m not having it.”

Aiden sounded so firm in his resolve to look after me. I couldn’t say no.

“I want to call a lawyer,” I said.

“Absolutely.” He looked at his watch and showed me the time. “You’d better do that now, because in a few hours they’ll all be going home to start their weekend.”

“Yeah.”

He leaned in and gave me a kiss on the cheek.

“Look… I’m gonna go. Call the lawyer, and get some advice. Take Lucy to her grandparents’ place then call me. I’ll pick up some takeout on my way back here, and we can have a sleepover.”

“Okay,” I said, relieved that he didn’t want to go anywhere.

“I’ve, uh, booked the Bordello for tomorrow night. I was going to surprise you…”

This news, instead of making me feel guilty, gave me a huge sense of relief. “Really?”

“Do you want to go? I can probably get my money back if I cancel before tomorrow.”

“Aiden, I think I need to go. If anything can get my mind off of this whole mess, it’s being with you in that place.”

Aiden smiled. “I was hoping you’d say that.”

* * * *

When Lucy got home, I pretended everything was normal.

“Hey, Dad, maybe you can have Aiden for a sleepover,” Lucy said, as I drove her to Brian and Annie’s, wondering how I was going to act natural when I dropped her off.

She waggled her eyes and gave me a cheeky grin.

“But my Batman pajamas are in the laundry,” I said.

She snorted. “I don’t think Aiden would mind if you didn’t wear pajamas.”

“Oh my God, Lucy!”

“Oh my God, Dad!” she said. “I know what happens when two guys who are into each other have a ‘sleepover’,” she said, using air quotes.

“No, you don’t. Come on.”

“Yeah, I do.”

I gave her a skeptical glance. “And how do you know that?”

“It’s called the internet,” she said, with the smugness of a generation. “You can look up all sorts of things.”

“You…what…? I mean, Lucy! Really?” I was shocked and didn’t entirely believe her, because I was aware that she liked getting a reaction, but I also didn’t want to shame her for being curious. It was a difficult line to walk.

“Dad, relax. I think it’s gross, but no grosser than what straight couples do. Ick. I might never have sex. With anyone.”

---