Page 5 of Single Dad's Christmas Gift
Evie wraps her arms around her father’s thighs and thanks him.
Fallon stares at his daughter as if fascinated.
Just as suddenly as she initiated the contact, Evie’s arms fall away, and she darts into the seat beside me. Her dad follows slowly, still dazed by her display of affection.
I sit and ask Evie a question about the movie. While she’s replying, the lights go out. I marvel at how much she talks now compared to when she first came to school.
Under the cover of darkness, I watch as Fallon places a bucket of popcorn on Evie’s lap and shows her the drink in the cup holder. He’s gentle, more open when he interacts with her.
It’s the opposite of how he’s with me. He’s always guarded. Almost unapproachable. As if he feels the scrutiny, he turnstowards me. I don’t know how much he can see, but heat flushes my face.
“It’s starting,” Evie says.
Relieved, I turn towards the screen.
When I still can’t focus on the trailers on the screen, I grab my drink. Maybe the delicious rush of sugar will help. A few minutes after the movie begins, I’m lost in the story. Halfway through, I’m so horrified by what’s happening to the main character that I jump when Evie clutches my arm. That’s when I realize she’s just as engrossed as I am.
“Here,” Fallon whispers.
He’s holding out a tissue. I grab it, thank him, and wonder if I spilled my drink when I feel the wetness on my checks. And I’m embarrassed all over again.
A thumping sound grabs my attention and I’m caught up in the film again. It’s not until the credits roll and the lights switch on that I become aware Fallon is staring at Evie and me.
I avoid his gaze.
“What did you think?” I ask Evie.
“Epic!”
I chuckle.
“It was epic,” I agree with her.
I put my coat on, grab my empty popcorn backet and cup.
Fallon stands with his and Evie’s empty containers in one hand and holds up his other hand for Evie. In the foyer, we bin the containers, then leave the quiet theater.
There are a lot more cars in the small parking lot than when I arrived. Their owners must be here to watch the other movie, which has just started showing. It’s a relief. Whilst we are not technically doing anything wrong, I don’t want any rumors to spread.
It’s windier and colder than when I headed out earlier in the evening.
“We’ll give you a lift.”
“I’ll be fine walking. I don’t live far.”
“It’s on our way. It’d be silly for us to leave you to walk when it’s this dark and cold.”
Evie slips her hand into mine and takes a step forward. Making me remember her first day at school. She’d refused to go into the classroom. I gave her a bright smile, slipped my hand in her small one and stepped forward too. She’d been so startled that she’d followed me.
We must look like a family of three, but I don’t have the heart to pull my hand out of the little girl’s.
I sit in the back with Evie. She’s so excited about the movie that we talk non-stop.
“It’s the best movie ever!” Evie says.
“It was great, but The Chronicle Of Narnia is the best movie ever.”
“I haven’t watched that. It must be double epic then,” she says.
