Page 67 of DadBod

ROME

I haveno idea how Elizabeth feels about the car and the trip to the DMV. She could jump for joy at the idea she now has a vehicle to use as her own, or she’ll be angry I was a bit heavy-handed. Either way, she’s going to have a car to get her home late at night.

“I’m here.” I hear her before I see her, and the first thing I notice is Elizabeth’s voice sounds tired.

“In the kitchen.” I made breakfast. This time, it’s not one thing, it’s a selection of items like yogurt, granola that I made from scratch, croissants that I did not make, along with several meats and cheeses. When she steps into my kitchen, she looks as tired as her voice sounds, but I keep that to myself. “Morning.”

“Morning.”

“Coffee?”

“Please.” She sighs. “I’m wiped after last night.”

“I heard. Jeriann sent me a text.”

“We had no idea there was anything going on.”

I did. I’d just forgotten to let them know. “I’ll make sure Jeriann knows how to check on the neighborhood events the next time she’s on her own.” I feel wrong asking, but I need to. “How’d she do?”

“Jeri?” Elizabeth sounds surprised by my question. “Good.”

“Cal?”

“Fine.” She looks away from me, which tells me she’s holding back.

It makes sense. I knew something had happened because Cal was quiet when I picked him up at Phee’s.

Setting a cup of cappuccino in front of her, I ask, “Did he do something wrong?”

“No.”

My girl, I mean, Elizabeth takes a big gulp of coffee and sighs like she needed the caffeine to survive. “Hungry?” I point to the spread I’ve laid out.

“Not yet. I’m still waking up.”

“Doesn’t it take you an hour to get here on the El and buses?”

“I took an Uber.”

“I see.” I make myself a plate with some fruit and other items. I decide to remain where I am, though. This way, I can look at her while we talk.

“What time is the appointment?”

I’m just going to spit it out. “An hour. Did you bring all of the documents?” To get her license in Illinois, she needs to bring her Social Security card, old driver’s license, birth certificate, and probably her firstborn child. Just kidding. I get why they need all that information.

She pats her purse with her hand. “Got ’em.”

“I guess now is a good time to tell you about your car.”

She practically chokes on her gulp of coffee. “My car?”

“Yes. I bought a car for you to use.”

“Oh.” She chortles. “You bought a second car for me to use if I ever need it.” Not a question.

“Sure. Right.” I get the feeling I’ll need to ease into the car-ownership question at a later date.

Sliding off her stool, Elizabeth rounds the counter and picks up a small plate. “This looks yummy.”

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