Page 111 of Don Caselli

“Then why haven’t you gotten one? You live alone now… you’re free to get one,” my father challenged me.

“Been very busy.”

“Bullshit.” My mom faked a cough, and I tossed the napkin at her. “Other than that dog you fostered, you have not thought about a damn dog.”

“Mink Mink is perfect, and I still go and check in on her every so often,” I spoke about my first foster dog.

She was a long-term resident at the shelter, and at the time I thought I could foster her for a week and post her on my socials to get her adopted. Everything was so hectic, and it wouldn’t be fair to adopt her when I was traveling so much. The shelter still sent me pictures and updated me on her.

“She was a big girl.”

“Yo’ ass was scared of her,” my father called my mother out.

I laughed. “Yep…‘Mamas, please put her in the bathroom while I’m here’,” I mocked her, and she flipped her hair over her shoulder.

“Little girl, stop telling my business.”

Landon laughed. “I was going to ask if you both would like to meet my siblings.”

My mother smiled, a twinkle in her eyes as she squeezed his arm. “I would love to meet your people… maybe bring them by my parents’ block and we’ll put something on the grill.”

“They’re not like that, Mommy,” I added.

“Stuck up?” Daddy asked.

“Nah… just move differently. I’m gonna have a dinner at my house so everyone can get to know each other. I’m serious about your daughter… never been more serious in my life. I want you to know me, like you all have opened up to let me get to know your family and life.”

“Well, I love that, Don. I would love to know your people and get to know you more. I do know that you keep her smiling when she’s around you, and that’s all I want for my baby.”

Daddy cleared his throat. “You have every reason to act like an asshole, because if I owned a jet and had a Bentley, I’d be putting baby powder on my hand and flexing this hand.”

“Ro! What the fuck!” my mother hollered, as we all broke out into laughter with tears in our eyes, because my father was truly a clown.

Anytime you needed to laugh or smile, you can bet he was going to be there to do it. “Being serious, you a down-to-earth guy, G. I’m protective with my little girl, but I also know I trust her enough to make decisions for herself. If my mamas is rocking with you, then me and my baby gonna watch this unfold. Hopefully, the vibes this beautiful island brought us at the start of our journey within love blesses the both of you. You have our blessing and our guidance if you both need anything.”

Forget messing up my make up. I was sobbing as I stared into my father’s eyes. He meant every single word that he spoke. My father had never been the type that pushed his authority or forced me to see things his way. He had always given me space to make my own decisions, being there if I ever needed him.

Don leaned forward, reaching across the table and dapped him up. “Thank you. I appreciate that.”

After dinner, my parents went to enjoy the night life with each other. Landon had gotten them a villa on the beach, and they were staying for two extra days after we left.

“This was the best birthday I had in a very long time, and it was because of you.” I smiled, as he massaged both of my feet again.

The restaurant staff was preparing everything to close down, as we sat at the table enjoying the breeze being high up had provided us.

“Glad I could deliver for you.”

“I don’t even want to leave.”

“Then don’t leave.”

“Huh?”

“Stay at the villa. I have to handle shit, but you shouldn’t have to leave. Enjoy spending time with your parents.”

“Seriously?”

“Yeah.”

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