Page 54 of Damien
I’m rewarded with two of the most beautiful smiles in the world. “I think that can be arranged.” Vanessa nods, then asks, “Do you mind if I drive so I don’t have to change over her car seat?”
Shit. I haven’t even thought about that.
“Of course. Can I take a moment to change out of my work clothes? Julia, if it’s okay with your mom, you can watch a show while you wait,” I say as I open the front door to my house.
Julia nods as Vanessa says, “That’s fine. Just take your time. We didn’t mean to crash your evening.” She smiles apologetically.
“You’re not crashing anything,” I assure her as I get Julia settled in the living room with the remote. Just as I’m about to leave the room, I step close enough to Vanessa so only she can hear. “My plans included talking to a beautiful woman on the phone and ordering takeout. I’d much rather it be in person.” Leaning in, I peck her quickly on the cheek, so Julia won’t notice.
Pulling back, I brush a strand of hair from her face. “Is it weird that I missed you this morning?”
Shaking her head, she agrees, “No, I felt the same way. That’s part of the reason I agreed to Jules wanting to bring you cookies.”
“I’ll never turn down the chance to see you but know… I don’t need any bribery. I’ll gladly spend any chance I can with you.”
Vanessa’s smile turns mischievous. “Well, in that case…” She reaches for the cookies still in my hand. “I guess I can take these back.”
“Not so fast…” I tease. “I thought we were sharing theseafterdinner. I’m a lonely bachelor with no kitchen… You wouldn’t deprive me of a home-cooked treat, would you?”
Sighing heavily, she exaggerates, “I suppose I won’t.” Then she points in the direction of my room. “Go get changed. We’ll be here when you return.”
The vixen she is glances to her daughter who’s completely engrossed in a show on television and sank deep into the couch facing away from us. Then she lifts to the tips of her feet and kisses me chastely on the mouth. As she pulls away, I swear I hear her mumble. “God, I’ve wanted to do that all week.”
Then she swats at my arm. “Go. Or you’ll get to meet a hangry Julia and trust me—no one wants to see that.”
Within fifteen minutes, we’re loaded into Vanessa’s SUV. Julia’s picked a Thai restaurant I have yet to try. Vanessa’s bopping along to the low music that plays on the radio. Apparently, she and her daughter listen to music regularly because they can sing every word the artist sings.
When “Lose Yourself” by Eminem comes on, I’ll admit I give in and sing along with him. Yes, I was in elementary school when it came out, but I remember my brother Derek playing it all the time growing up. As we each give it our all, I can’t help but internally laugh. Never in a million years did I expect to be rapping with a child in the back seat, going on a kid-friendly date. But with Vanessa, I’d do it a million times over. I may not have known her long, but something about being with her just feels right and being with Julia… well, that’s just an added bonus.
By the time we get our meal, I’ve quickly learned Julia has the ability to talk the ears off a grasshopper, as my grandpa would say when one of us jabbered. I’ve learned that she can’t wait to start school in the fall, she loves playing with Barbies, riding her bike, andreallywants a cat of her own. Of course, Vanessa expertly evades that topic by bringing up the topic of summer break and asks which beach she wants to travel to celebrate.
When I tell them how I used to spend my summers with my grandparents on Anderson Island, I get peppered with questions I wasn’t prepared for.
Julia’s eyes are wide with disbelief when she asks, “You have grandparents?”
“Yeah. They live near Olympia now. But we still have a family home on the island,” I offer.
“No… I mean, yours are still alive?”
“Jules,” Vanessa says in warning.
“It’s okay,” I assure them both. “I don’t mind talking about them.”
“Sorry, Dame.” Julia looks to her plate. “I don’t remember mine. They died right after I was born. But I know my momma misses them. I do, too.”
Them? Does she mean both of Vanessa’s parents died right after high school? Fuck, I had no idea. No wonder she doesn’t talk about them. My mind reels for what to say. I can’t imagine losing one of my parents, let alone both—and at such a young age.
When I look to Vanessa, I don’t find sadness on her face. Just an understanding smile toward her daughter. “You’re right. There isn’t a day that goes by that I don’t miss them. But fortunately, most people aren’t like us, Jules. They have living family members well into their eighties and nineties. Grams and Pops were taken from us way too soon in that car accident.”
Julia nods slowly in understanding. “I know. But Damien still has his grandparents… and he’s old—like you… how does he still have grandparents?”
Too shocked by the old comment, I can’t help but laugh. “Uh… for your information, I’m only twenty-six. My parents are in their mid-fifties, and my grandparents aren’t even eighty yet. I’m not a dinosaur…”
Vanessa covers her face with her hand, and I’m not sure if it’s to hide her embarrassment—which she has nothing to be embarrassed about—or to hide her shock about the old comment.
“Momma, you’re twenty-one, right?” Julia asks.
When Vanessa uncovers her face, I’m relieved to find it was laughter she was hiding from. “Yeah, squirt. I am.”
