Page 126 of Toxic Wishes

“Yeah, Abigail made us lunch, Grandpa.”

“Abigail?” My dad says as he looks down at Bodie and then at me.

“Yeah, she’s Dad’s new friend. And mine. She cooks and cleans, and she likes doing it. She also spends time with us and watches movies.” Bodie turns around to face me. “Dad, can Grandpa eat with us?” He says with a jump

“Sure, why not,” I forced a smile.

“Yay, I’ll go tell Abigail.”

Bodie scurries off into the kitchen.

“Friend, eh?” Cliff nudges my shoulder and laughs through a breath. “Oh, man. What I would give to live those days again. What are you pushing now? Nine? Ten million?”

I don’t answer him. I just stare at him, wondering if he knows how much I loathe his presence here.

“I bet you just wiggle your finger, and the ladies just drop their panties.” He sticks out his stomach a little as he places both hands on his hips. “Man, those were the days.”

“Yeah, the only difference is now the women are the ones who wiggle their fingers, and you drop your panties. Ain’t that right, dad?”

He gives me a look before walking towards the kitchen. “I’m hungry. And I believe I was invited to lunch by my one and only grandson.” And without hesitation, he pads over to the kitchen. If looks could kill, the one I’m giving him right now would do just that: straight through his back.

“C’mon in, Dad, eat, be merry. Oh, you need ten grand again? Let me run to the bank so you can be on your way.” I say to myself as I gently close the door. My dad only came around when he needed something. Or he had nowhere else to go because the woman he was with got tired of his shit and kicked him out or found out he was dead broke. At least he wised up a little, or should I say the women did, and they stopped marrying him before they found out he was nothing but a charmer with one hell of a mouthpiece on him.

“What the hell is this?” My dad says. He hadn’t even been here for an hour and was already complaining.

Abigail clears her throat. “It’s a burger patty.”

“I have eaten burgers. Some of the best burgers in the world, actually, and that ain’t no burger.”

“I’m sorry. Did anyone ask your opinion?” I say briefly. My jaw clenched so hard it felt like I would crack a tooth.

“No, thank God, because those taste like some eggplant mushroom vegan crap or whatever those healthy burgers you youngins eat nowadays.”

“It is a veggie burger, but I mixed it with the turkey meat. To make sure Bodie gets his veggies.”

“I like them, Abigail. They are super yummy, plus anything tastes good with ketchup, Grandpa.” Bodie dips a cut-up piece in his ketchup.

“Are these cauliflower mashed potatoes too?” My dad asks.

Abigail’s chin dips down with embarrassment, making my jaw stiffen.

“Since you were informally invited, why don’t you go to Charlie’s Chicken or Taco Bueno down the street? Or is that too expensive for you?”

Cliff glared at me. I know I’m insulting him, but I didn’t care because he insulted Abigail. Did I particularly like all this healthy stuff? No. But I loved that she thought of Bodie and was trying to get him to eat healthier. No woman, not even Naomi, put in effort like that to instill Bodie was being taken care of. They were all lazy and stopped at a restaurant to get meals. No one slaved away in the kitchen like Abigail has for us, so he can shove his opinion up his ass if he doesn't like the food.

“How about I just head to my room.” My dad stands up

“Your room?” I say, pushing my seat back so fast it squeaks.

“Are you staying with us, Grandpa?” Bodie says with excitement.

My dad leans down and whispers. “Yup, and that means ice cream every night, but only if you show me how good you’ve gotten at football. I may be getting older, but your pops here can still show you a few moves.” He claps a hand on Bodie's shoulder, giving it a little wiggle as he laughs, returning his gaze toward mine. My face remains stoic.

“So where is it? Upstairs? I've never been to your lake house; I'm not sure how many rooms you’ve got in this joint, but it looks big and spacious.”

“That’s because you’ve never been invited.” I remind him. “Besides, this is one of my rental properties.” I stand, every muscle in my body tense.

“Right. So you’re telling me you don’t have room for your dad? Is this about Blake again?”

---