Page 149 of Sharkbait
“So.” I drum my hands on my thighs once we’re on the road. “Where are we heading, ladies? Should we hit Iris’s french fry place? Ooh, or should we get some bubble tea?”
Eva hesitates. “Um. We thought we’d drop you off at your new place right away.”
“What? Why? Don’t you want to find a place to grab a bite? We always grab a bite after I fly in.”
“Yeah. I know, but… I think today it’s best you get settled in at your new place first.”
“You guys going to stick around? Obviously, I’m not set up with food yet, but whatever, we can order in. Wanna call Ron and tell him to swing by and join us?”
“Ron’s working late tonight, so he’ll have to pass, and you’re probably tired after the long flight, so Rissy and I will get out of your hair.”
“What are you talking about? You could never be in my hair.”
“James!” Eva laughs. “You know I’m a terrible liar. Will you put me out of my misery and just trust me on this one? Believe me, you want to be dropped off alone.”
The last thing I want to be is alone right now.
But she asked me to trust her.
So that’s what I’m going to do.
It’s a quick ride to my new place, which is just a few streets over from where Iris and Eva live. And if I was a betting man, I’dsay that any day now Ron will be joining them there too.
We pull into the empty driveway, and I think of all the things that need to happen before this house will feel like a home.
“Hey Rissy, do you and mommy have plans tomorrow?”
“Mommy, do we have plans tomorrow?” she asks.
“She’s got school,” Eva says. “But after that, we’re free.”
“Cool if I take her shopping so we can set up her new room?”
“Oooh! Say yes, Mommy! Please say yes!”
“Of course, yes!
“Yay!!”
“And James, you don’t need my permission to take our daughter shopping. We’re in this together, right?”
“Right.” I exhale. “I think it may just take me a minute to get back into our flow now that I’m here.”
“That’s understandable.” She pauses. “Welcome home, Jay Bear.”
I lean over and kiss her on the cheek. “Thanks for everything.”
“Back atcha.”
“Can I have a squeeze from my girl?” I say over my shoulder.
Iris attacks the back of my seat and wraps her arms around my neck. I make a big production of acting like I’m choking.
“Can’t breathe,” I wheeze. “Daughter. Is. Too. Powerful.”
“Alrighty, Rissy. Buckle up again. Daddy has to go,” Eva says.
I get out of the car and haul my suitcases out of the trunk.
