Page 53 of More, Daddy
There are just a few things I need to do first
I envision Cadence with a phonebook open, despite the fact no one has used one of those in years. She’s dragging a manicured finger down a muted yellow page, stopping when she says “aha” and finds just what she’s looking for. Barefoot, in tiny shorts and a tiny crop top, she stands in her kitchen, on the phone, making appointments for a wax, for highlights, for a pedicure—everything.
WDupont
I’m unreasonably excited
This talk has a different question rising up inside me. One I need an answer to tonight. A definitive one.
WDupont
What do we want to do about school?
CCaine
For now, strangers per usual
WDupont
We’re not exactly strangers, are we?
I said hello to you in the hall today, remember?
CCaine
I guess what I meant to say is, let’s not communicate or sit near each other during the rally or even make eye contact
I think what we have is gonna stick, West, and turn into something bigger, with long lasting ties
But thinking and having a ring on my finger are two different things. And Bluebell is small.
Unless you want Ida at Goode’s asking you about me, or Ivy at Ink Time teasing the coach about banging a teacher, I think, for now, we play it cool
Play it like total strangers
The idea of passing Cadence in the hall, knowing that we have a depraved secret burning between us, sends a thrill up my back, radiating like hot coals through my shoulders and neck. I want this out in the open, I do, but if we have to prolong the secrecy—of which I do not disagree with her reasons—there’s no point in not enjoying the sneaking around.
Could be very fun.
I get a flash of snaking my fingers around hers inconspicuously as I pass by, sending a jolt of arousal and shock through her. I see myself leaving a filthy note on her car, unsigned, the author only known to my babygirl.
WDupont
Play it like strangers
Until you’re ready
I can do that
CCaine
Good
I really think it’s best
I don’t know if I mentioned this but I look after my father and he’s having a rough evening. I’m going to have to end our chat here.
I contemplate asking her to swap phone numbers, so that we can text message, but decide against it. She needs time.
