Page 103 of DadBod

Calvin nods but says nothing.

Standing up, I point at the door. “You came out the wrong door, Monica. This isn’t Calvin’s fault.”

“Yes, it is.” She’s shaking her head. “How many times do I have to say it?” She points at my favorite guy. “He’s in the fucking way.”

“What’s going on here?” Rome has appeared, but I’m going to handle this.

Holding up my hand, I hope it keeps him from jumping into this just yet. “You came out the wrong door. You ran right into Calvin, who was trying to take dishes back to be washed.”

By now, we’ve gotten the attention of most of the customers and all of the other servers and bussers.

“Jackie.” Monica glances to her right. “Tell them. This is that brat’s fault.”

“Hey,” Rome starts to speak, but I hold my hand up again. I’ve had zero patience with my dream man ever since he told me we should “take it easy.”

“Uh.” Jackie glances at Rome and back to Monica. “You, uh, came out the wrong door.”

Jackie’s response shocks Monica, or at least, that’s how it looks. I can see by the whites of her eyes.

“It’s true.” We all look right at a two-top located near the kitchen door. It’s the worst table in the place. “I saw the whole thing. She”—he points at Monica—“came barreling out the door and right into the kid.”

“No,” Monica snaps. “This is his fault.” She’s pointing at my Calvin again, and I’m not having it.

“Stop pointing your bony finger at Calvin. He’s worked his tail off tonight. We’re a team here, and Calvin is part of that team.” I’d love to add that she should leave if she doesn’t like it, but that’s not my place. What I can say, though, is this: “If you say one more word to this amazing little guy, You and me—”

“What are you gonna do? Sit on me?”

That’s a low blow. But I can take it.

“That’s enough,” Rome growls. “Everyone. Get back to work.”

Slowly, we all disperse. Turning back to my tables, I take Calvin’s hand. “Come on, Cal. You stick with me.” I catch movement from the corner of my eye. Ryann. She probably witnessed that scene like everyone else. I hope she’s not angry with me. I don’t think I did enough back there, because what I wanted to do was punch Monica right in the jaw.

“She’s mean,” Calvin says only loud enough for me to hear.

“I know. I’m sorry.”

“Why are you sorry?”

“Because I should’ve opened up a can of whoop-ass on her for talking to my favorite guy like that.”

Calvin frown isn’t quite as frown-y after that. “I’m your favorite guy?”

“You are.”

“What about my dad?”

“He’s okay. He’s not my favorite, though.” Not by a long shot.

And that’s when Calvin gifts me the toothless smile I love.

Back at the table, the customers have a lot of questions. Unfortunately, none of them have anything to do with the food and everything to do with the incident with Calvin. They all ask if he’s okay. He shrugs and says, “Sure.”

“Don’t listen to that woman, honey. She was in the wrong.”

“Okay.” Calvin doesn’t sound convinced.

Customers are still waiting up near the front, and some are even outside on the sidewalk. Time to get the ball rolling. “What can we get you for dinner?”

* * *

“Did you hear?”

“What?” I’ve been refilling the salt and pepper shakers, my last bit of closing work before I can head home.

“Rome asked Monica to come in early tomorrow to ‘talk.’” Jeriann uses air quotes for that last bit.

We all know what he wants to talk to her about. The question is, what is he going to say? And will Monica be working on Sunday night––like always?

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