Page 23 of Decoded
“Is supper ready?” He changes the subject. “It smells great in here, as usual, Kara.”
My mom smiles at my attacker, ever the gracious host. “Sure is, why don’t you two men go ahead and have a seat at the table. Anna and I will bring everything in.”
I help my mother take everything into the dining room, where my dad is seated at his usual place at the head of the table. When Daniel is over for dinner, he usually takes the chair opposite him at the other end, but I notice that tonight he has chosen to sit in the chair directly beside my typical spot.
I drop the salad bowl to the table and go to sit in the space beside my mother, but Daniel speaks up. “I’m afraid I spilled my drink in that chair, Anna. But you’re welcome to sit in your typical spot. So sorry for the spill, Kara.”
“No need to be sorry,” my dad says on my mom’s behalf. “Anna Laura, why are you being weird? Go sit where you always do.”
Reluctantly I walk around the table to my typical chair and sit down beside my former employer. Dad dishes out his serving of casserole then passes the dish to me. As I scoop a spoonful, he stops me. “Anna Laura, give it to Daniel first. You’re likely to eat the whole damn thing. It would be rude to invite a man over fordinner and then not have anything left for him to eat.” My dad and his best friend chuckle and my cheeks flame.
“Craig,” my mom says, cutting her eyes at my dad, ceasing his laughter.
“Just a joke. Everyone’s so damn sensitive,” he grumbles and then digs into his dinner.
It’s September in the Bluegrass, so there’s talk about the first few football games and the fact that this could be the year the Wildcats bring home another national championship in basketball. When Daniel and my dad are together the talk is always sports, but something else must be weighing on my dad’s mind.
“I just don’t understand it, Anna Laura. Why would you leave such a good job? Daniel was kind enough to give you that position and now you’re just leaving him high and dry.”
Thekindman my father is talking about slides his hand over to my thigh and squeezes. The tablecloth covers the actions so my dad is none the wiser about how unkind his friend can truly be.
“Oh, Craig. She’s young and wants to spread her wings. Can’t say I blame her,” he speaks for me, rubbing his thumb back and forth across my soft skin.
My dad scoffs. “She’s thirty. That’s not young enough to be making dumb decisions with your life. Anna Laura, it’s past time you grow up and start really living. Daniel is a good man who gave you a good job. You could have saved up and made quite the nice nest egg staying with his company. In fact, Daniel, would you mind teaching Anna Laura some of the ins and outs of accounting? She could go back to school and get her degree, then work for you in another capacity. I bet a few long nights and some hard work is all it would take for her to figure out what she would need to do to succeed.”
“I would love nothing more than to keep Anna around at the office. If she’s interested, I’d be willing to have as many longnights as necessary. Accounting can be long, hard work, but I have no doubt she would be amazing at it.” As he talks, Daniel dips his hand into the gap between my thighs, causing a light gasp to escape me at his movement.
My mom’s eyes flash over at mine with what I think is a knowing look, but then she quickly averts her gaze and goes back to her meal.
“Well then, it’s settled. Now thank Daniel and we can put all this leaving business behind us.” I look over at the man my father wants me to thank and see the biggest shit eating grin spreading across his face.
“Dad, there are a few problems with that scenario,” I calmly explain and Daniel squeezes my thigh again, this time even tighter and with his nails digging into me to the point I think he may have drawn blood. “First of all, I’ve already accepted the position at the cybersecurity firm and they’re expecting me to move in tomorrow and start on Monday.”
My dad waves his hand in the air before taking another bite. “You’re not set to sign that contract until Monday and people change jobs all the time. That’s an easy fix.”
“Well, there is the issue that I have no interest in being an accountant.”
“Young lady, you don’t seem to have an interest in being much of anything. Now accounting is a good job and will provide you with a good, steady income. You see how successful Daniel is and that could be you some day.”
“Money isn’t everything, Dad,” I mumble.
He huffs, “You only think that because you grew up accustomed to a certain lifestyle. When you’re struggling to get a mortgage, you’ll see that money is a lot more important than you think.”
“Well maybe the man she marries will take care of her,” my mother steps in trying to resolve things, but just making mewant to groan. She means well, but she also grew up with the belief that you married for provisions and not so much love.
My dad shakes his head. “I wouldn’t count on that. Men with money don’t marry women that look like her.”
I should be fucking pissed, and a part of me is, but I can’t help but think of the gorgeous husband of mine I haven’t spoken to in over a month. The husband who is obviously financially loaded if he can book a suite at an upscale hotel in Las Vegas. Unable to hold it back, I let out a snort.
“Men aren’t exactly attracted to that either,” Daniel adds to the conversation.
I keep quiet for the remainder of dinner and Daniel keeps his hand on my thigh, every now and then bringing it up higher as a silent reminder to how he touched me earlier in the day. My favorite meal has been tainted with tonight’s conversation, and I’ve never been so glad to see the last bite of it eaten and dinner officially over.
After dinner my dad and Daniel escaped to the living room to watch some documentary about the infamous Kentucky and Duke game from the nineties. They watch it just about every time they get together and every time, they get mad at the result as if it’s the first time they’ve ever seen it.
My mom and I are in the kitchen washing dishes and cleaning up. “I really am excited for you, honey,” my mom says to me as I take the dish from her to dry. “I know your dad and Daniel are close, but I also know it’s important to harness your independence and see what you can do without relying on your parents. I’m proud of you.”
I smile at her. “Thanks Mom, I really appreciate that. And I am really going to miss you so much.” I look over to see my mom wringing her hands, a sour expression on her face. “What’s wrong?”
