Page 12 of Cups of You

“No, seriously dad.” She dropped the mug she was washing back into the sink. Suds and water splashed up wetting her shirt, but she paid it no mind turning serious eyes on Benjamin.

“Everything isn’t fine. All you do is work or sit at home with me. You don’t even get out when I’m gone to mom’s house, and don’t say you hang out with Uncle Randy and Aunt Sam because that doesn’t count.”

“I’m going to tell them you said that,” he replied trying for levity. This conversation was getting uncomfortably serious in a way he had no desire to discuss with his teenaged daughter no matter how earnest she was. When he saw his words were having no affect, he sighed and ran a hand through his hair. “Liv, I am fine. I’m happy with the way things are.”

“No, you are not. I can see that even if you try to smile.”

“Liv—”

“You’re lonely dad. Why can’t you just admit it?”

“Olivia,” he snapped his tone sharp in a way he had never used with her before. Her mouth shut with a click but then her lips turned down in a frown. She folded her arms and looked away in a pose eerily like one her mother always used when she and Benjamin disagreed.

He took a noisy breath in to center himself. Olivia wasn’t her mother, and she didn’t deserve to be snapped at. Forgoing another fake smile, Benjamin leaned down and put his hands on her shoulders.

“Liv…I’m sorry.” She glanced at him briefly but looked away again. He looked over the counter noting a few concerned expressions from a couple regular customers. Thinking quickly, he pulled out the ‘Be Right Back’ sign from under the counter and put it up on the register before herding Olivia to the back of the café and away from prying eyes and ears. He wasn’t trying to be part of the rumor mill this weekend.

When the door swung shut behind them drowning out the music, he turned back to her. “Okay.” He swallowed hard. “Okay, just…talk.”

She looked at him slowly dropping her defensive stance. “What?”

“You’re obviously concerned and from your tone, I can tell you have been for a while. So, speak. What’s going on with you?”

Olivia blinked slowly before she finally spoke. “Nothing is going on with me. I’m concerned about you dad.”

“But why?” He prompted. “Where is all of this coming from? I thought we were doing alright just the two of us.”

She breathed out noisily and put her hands on her hips. “We’re fine, but you’re not.”

Benjamin rubbed a hand on his forehead. He could feel a headache looming. “Clear as mud light of my life. I’m old. Break it down into tiny words for me.”

“Fine. You need a girlfriend.”

Bingo.

“Liv, why do you think I need a girlfriend?”

“I don’t think you need one,” she corrected. “Iknowyou need one.”

“I don’t need a girlfriend. Besides, I don’t have time—”

“That is just an excuse, dad, and you know it,” she cut in. “Even I had time to find a girlfriend and I’m in school, working, and cycling between you and mom.”

Wait…what?

“What?” Benjamin croaked out blinking quickly as his brain ran back through her words. “You have a…when did this…what?”

Olivia’s cheeks slowly flushed, but she waved a hand at him. “Don’t make it into a big thing.”

“But it is a big thing.” He lunged forward and pulled her into a tight hug. “Congratulations bean!” He set her back on her feet noting the shininess of her sky-blue eyes even as she pushed him away.

“Don’t try to change the subject,” she reiterated though the smile on her face seemed relieved in a way that let Benjamin know his reaction was just what was needed despite her protests. “We’re not talking about my love life. We’re talking about your lack of one.”

He shook his head. “My lack of love life isn’t a problem and don’t think I don’t know what you’re doing. We will celebrate.”

“Damn right we will,” Olivia agreed readily. “I want a rainbow cake and balloon animals. But for now, back to you.”

“Yes, to the cake and balloons, but no to the discussion of my love life. I love you kiddo, but I am not going to discuss any of that with you.” He paused and crossed his arms. “And you owe a dollar to the swear jar.”

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