Page 62 of Forfeits

“Jesus Christ,” I said, with a sigh. I was glad she wasn’t in a hurry to be sexually active, no lie, but this conversation was getting to be really uncomfortable.

“But you should totally take advantage of the fact that I’ll be at Granny and Grandpa’s.”

My heart ached from the knowledge that Annie and Brian wanted Lucy and her commitment to shock value full-time. I didn’t know if they were ready for that, and it amused me to think that they were in no way prepared for it.

“Listen,” I said. “I want you to know that, even though being a parent can be hard sometimes, I love being your dad.”

She gave me a weird look. “O-kaaay. Thanks?”

“Just know that I would do anything for you, Lucy.”

She narrowed her eyes. “Dad, what’s wrong?”

I forced myself to laugh. It sounded so hollow and fake, but I went with it.

“Nothing. Nothing’s wrong. I just love you so much.”

“I know. I…love you, too.” She was looking at me strangely, and I realized I might have revealed too much.

“What? I wanted to say it. I don’t say it enough.” I said, backpedaling.

“Dad, don’t go all Hallmark on me. It’s embarrassing.”

I raised my hands. “Sorry. I’m sorry.”

I got out of the car, and Lucy exited on her side. She was still looking at me a bit strangely, like she knew something was up but couldn’t quite figure it out. She took her backpack and slung it over her shoulder, while I went to get her duffel bag from the trunk.

Brian answered the door. “Hello!”

“Hi, Brian,” I said.

“Hi, Grandpa. Dad’s acting weird.”

Brian frowned. blinked. He looked at me, and when he saw my big, fake smile, he matched it.

“Oh, Dads act weird all the time. Totally normal.”

“Hardy har,” Lucy said, throwing me a glance as she went inside. “Bye, Dad. See you on Sunday.”

“See you on Sunday,” I said, lifting my hand to wave, but she was already inside and I could hear Annie greeting her with much affection.

I looked at Brian.

“I’ll pick her up around three o’clock,” I said.

“Of course. Thank you.”

I started to turn, but Brian cleared his throat. “We won’t mention anything to Lucy.”

“Thank you.”

“But Annie is serious about this, Fletcher.”

“Yeah, I could tell. What about you?”

Brian sighed. “We miss our son. And Lucy is all we have left of him.”

“She’s all I have left of him, too,” I said. “I spoke to a lawyer.”

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