Page 39 of Bound by Love
“Brie and I made a connection we hadn’t realized before,” Sir explained. “We were wondering if you might remember it, too. That’s why we sent you the two items.”
“Wouldn’t it be easier just to ask?” he grumbled.
“It would but, Daddy, it wouldn’t be nearly as much fun.”
“You’re testing my patience, little girl.”
Hearing the anger rising in his voice, Sir encouraged him to ponder the meaning behind the gifts. “Take a moment to think back on a past vacation. I’m positive it will come to you.”
He winked at Brie.
After several moments, Bill started mumbling to himself and then called out to his wife. “Marcy, do you remember how old Brianna was when we took her to Disneyland?”
“I think she was seven, dear?”
“Oh hell…”
“What is it?” her mom asked in the background.
“Are you seriously telling me that it wasyouat the diner?” Bill demanded.
“It was.”
“I don’t believe it.”
Her mother begged him to put them on speakerphone too, and asked, “What’s this all about? I want in on the joke.”
“It’s not a joke, Mom,” Brie told her. “Actually, it’s quite amazing.”
Her father replied harshly, “That’s certainly one way to spin it.”
“Please, someone take mercy on me and tell me what this is all about,” her mother begged.
Sir detailed how they’d come to discover their past history. “Your daughter and I were at a café, and she happened to notice a little girl wearing mouse ears. Naturally, it caused her to reminisce about her trip to Disneyland as a child. A momentous occasion for any child, I’m sure. A quick calculation in my head led me to ask her what her favorite Disney character was. I met a little girl once who loved Pluto.”
“Wait. What does this have to do with catsup?” her mother asked, clearly still not understanding.
“Marcy, do you remember that college boy who wanted to molest our daughter?”
“No! It can’t be…” she laughed. “Do you mean that nice young man who handed Brie the catsup?”
“That’s not how I remember it,” he muttered.
“How do you remember it, Daddy?” Brie asked, having way too much fun with this.
“A man his age had no business interacting with you.”
“He was only trying to pass me the catsup.”
“Well, you shouldn’t have been talking to him in the first place, Brianna,” her father huffed. “You don’t know what kind of perverts are out there.”
The line grew silent.
“Bill isn’t trying to imply you’re a pervert, Thane,” her mother quickly added.
“Maybe I am,” her father stated abrasively.
“Is that really how you felt at the time?” Sir asked.
