Page 23 of Healed
Carson nodded.
“Taste it. I promise you’ll like it.”
“What if I don’t?”
“Then you don’t have to eat it.”
Carson looked thoughtfully down at the ribs.
“And, I’ll keep the sauce on my face until the next time I see you just because you tried it, whether you like it or not.”
“People will think you’re silly.”
“If I can make my friends more comfortable, I don’t care how silly people think I am.”
Carson watched Bane for a little longer before he looked down at the ribs again, and slowly picked one up. He held it like an English lady holds a cup of tea when sipping from it, definitely not wanting to get the sticky sauce all over it. But to his credit, he did hold it up to his mouth and take a little bite. He chewed, turned the rib this way and that examining it, then brought it to his mouth again to take another bite.
“Huh? Huh? I told you it was good!” Bane said, taking another huge bite and making sure to get more sauce on his face.
Carson smiled at Bane and took a big bite, not caring, or maybe even proud, that he too had sauce across his face.
Daisy smiled as Janie winked at her across the table.
A knock at the door had Janie getting up to answer the door. Minutes later she was returning with Charlie.
“Hi!” Daisy said, when she saw Charlie walk into the dining room between the kitchen and the living room.
“Hi,” Charlie said. He chuckled when he got a good look at Carson and Bane.
“We’re having ribs,” Carson informed him.
“I see that. You like ribs?” Charlie asked.
“Yes, sir. Mr. Bane makes good ribs.”
“Have a seat,” Janie said. “I’ll get you a plate.”
“Oh, no, thank you. I don’t want to be any more trouble than I’ve already been.”
“It’s no trouble! Sit down,” Janie said, pointing to the empty place beside her chair.
“You may as well sit. You won’t get out of here until she feeds you,” Bane said.
Charlie glanced in the direction Janie had gone, which he assumed was the kitchen, then toward the front door. He held a single strawberry shake in his hand. “I, uh, I brought you ashake. When I drove past Vince’s it was a spur of the moment decision. I didn’t know you lived with your parents or I’d have brought more than one.”
“That’s so thoughtful of you,” Daisy said. “Thank you!”
“You’re welcome,” Charlie said.
“Dad, this is Charlie. He’s Carson’s dad. Charlie, this is my father, Bane.”
Charlie stuck his hand out before he noticed that both of Bane’s were sticky with sauce.
“I’ll take a rain check on the handshake. Next time bring more just in case. I like chocolate. But for now, sit. We’ve got plenty of food,” Bane said.
“I will remember you like chocolate. And thank you,” Charlie said, pulling out the chair and having a seat.
“Here we go!” Janie said, placing an overloaded plate in front of Charlie.
