Page 59 of DadBod

“Come on, Cal. Let’s go pick out a movie.”

“Ooh,” Calvin sounds excited again. “Let’s watch that new Marvel movie.”

I’m grateful the puppy conversation is over. I’m sure he’s nowhere near finished, but for now he’s focused on movie time. “No,” I say loudly enough for him to hear. “Not a Marvel movie.”

“Dad…,” Calvin whines. “Why not?”

Because I hate them. “Pick something everyone will enjoy.”

Pouring the popcorn into a bowl, I season it with the cheese and the rest, tossing it until everything is mixed evenly. I make a second batch because Calvin loves this as much as I do, and I’m hoping Elizabeth does as well. Placing both bowls and some napkins on the table, I say, “Be right back.”

Jogging up the steps two at a time, I knock on Ryann’s door. “We’re watching a movie.”

“I don’t want to watch a movie.”

“I made popcorn.”

There’s silence on the other side of the door. I hear the lock disengage, and it opens slowly. “With parmesan?”

“Yep.”

“Fine.” She sighs. “I’ll come down for a little while.”

“Great.” I turn to head back down. “You’d better hurry before Calvin makes us watch something animated.”

Ryann groans but turns back into her room. At least she didn’t shut the door in my face. It’s the small victories that count.

When I return to the family room, Elizabeth has a bowl of popcorn on her lap and a handful going into her mouth. With it stuffed full, she says, “Fo good.”

I give her a smile. “I’m glad you like it.”

“Dewifous.”

Chuckling, I reach into the bowl and take a handful. Popping a morsel into my mouth, I nod to myself. Damn good.

With her mouth empty, she tells me, “You should sell this.”

“Yeah?” I look over at her. “That good?”

“That good.”

“I’ll take that as a compliment.”

“I’m serious. This is the best popcorn I’ve ever eaten.”

“High praise, indeed.” I eat the remaining popcorn in my hand just as Ryann enters the room. She makes her way around us to the far side of the room, picking up the second bowl on her way. “What did the twerp pick out?”

Elizabeth starts to speak. “It was between––”

“I wasn’t asking you,” Ryann snaps.

Jesus. When did my oldest turn into this? “Ryann,” I growl. “If you can’t be civil….”

“Fine. It doesn’t matter how I feel about…” She glares at Elizabeth. “…anything. You’re always going to take her side.” She practically spits out the word “her” as she stomps out of the room and up the stairs.

Looking down at Elizabeth, I say the only thing I can think of. “Sorry.”

“She took the popcorn” is her response. I’m tempted to laugh instead; I pat her knee. “I’ll make you more.”

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