Page 54 of Doctor Grump

“You’re back,” she said, coming toward us.

“Yes,” I said, receiving my daughter’s embrace. “How has it been? Have you been good?”

“Yes, except the babysitter never showed up.”

I froze, anger curling in my belly. “What do you mean she never showed up? Why?”

“How am I supposed to know?” Kendy shrugged. “But hey, look, I was fine all by myself, and I didn’t run away or get into any trouble at all. So, you see, I don’t need a nanny if you think about it.”

I frowned. I thought she had started getting along well with Piper. The two had been nearly inseparable lately. Was she still trying to get rid of her?

Kendy must have read my mind because she immediately added, “Of course, Piper’s still going to hang around, right? Since she’s your fiancée now and all.”

“You know it’s just for show, right?” I reminded her.

Kendy rolled her eyes. “Yeah, right. Like I was gonna buy that. I’m not stupid, Dad.”

I cocked my eyebrow at Kendy. “Yes, but you’re still not going without a babysitter.”

“Oh well. It was worth a try.” Kendy didn’t seem as disappointed with my answer as I thought, which was a show of maturity on her part. Instead, she turned to Piper and hesitantly said, “Hey, I’m sorry about your dad.”

Piper gave her a weak smile and replied, “Thanks, honey. He’s doing fine, though.” She tried to sound encouraging, but the fire inside her was diminished as she reached out and touched Kendy’s shoulder lightly, then added, “I’m going to go up to rest a little. I’m feeling a little worn out.”

I caught her arm before she could leave, and she turned around to look at me.

“Are you okay?”

She nodded, but there was a weird expression on her face. “I’m fine. Just tired.”

I let her leave, watching her walk up the stairs.

“What’s wrong with Piper?” Kendy asked, glancing at me. “She doesn’t look so good.”

“I’m not sure,” I said.But it was about time I found out.

“Did you eat?” I asked Kendy. I had left her at home with some pizza we picked up as I drove her back from school.

She nodded. “Yeah. The leftovers are in the fridge.”

“Great. Now, come on, I’ll tuck you in.”

She rolled her eyes. “You don’t need to tuck me in, Dad. For the thousandth time, I’m not a kid anymore.” But she relented and went with me anyway.

After I was done getting Kendy ready for bed, I made my way to Piper’s room. The door was locked.

“Piper,” I called out.

There was no answer, but something told me that she wasn’t asleep.

“Piper, I know you’re not asleep. I can hear you thinking.”

It was a lucky guess, but it worked. “Go away.”

“Open the door.”

“I’m not in the mood.”

“And I don’t give a damn. Open the damn door.”

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