Page 83 of D!ckhead

The kid got to work like a good little robot, opening the sideboard to bring out two more sets of plates matching the ones already waiting for diners. Dex was glad there were only three types of cutlery on the table, but he’d still have to follow everyone’s example if Cynthia served something tricky, like mussels, or fried armadillo.

“He’s very well-behaved,” Hammer said.

“And does well in school too,” Peter said, meeting Hammer’s gaze as he placed glasses of wine on each embroidered placemat but one. “He’s as talented as you were.”

Theand look what you did with ithung in the air like a bad fart no one wanted to claim as their own.

“He’s made up for that now,” Dex said, feeling scrutinized by the child when he sat in front of his plate. “He has his own apartment and everything.”

“Everyone has a house,” the kid said. “And that’s Daddy’s chair.”

Dex got up as if he’d been shocked with a cattle prod and pulled the chair out for Peter, immediately realizing how awkward the gesture was.Fuck fuck fuck. He stepped away, intent on waiting for someone to point out his seat. He couldn’t imagine a bold guy like Hammer growing up in this house, but then again, Hammer did sometimes use fancy words.

“Sorry. And no, not everyone has a house.”

Hammer sat down in front of a newly added plate and called Dex over with a gesture.

“That’s where Mommy sits,” Wolfie said, but before Dex could have ran away again, Peter put his index finger to his lips.

“Our guests can sit wherever they want. Today, you can sit in my place, and I will sit next to Mom. Now go and see if she needs help.”

Wolfie’s lips stretched in a smile, and he ran off like a young colt let into a new pasture.

“He’s very opinionated,” Hammer said once Dex settled next to him to face a deep plate with a colorful fabric napkin arranged inside.

When Hammer took it and placed it in his lap, Dex followed his lead, glad to notice Hammer’s dad do the same thing.

“I remember you always speaking your mind as well,” Peter said dryly. “We can only hope he won’t change his name to Scissors once he grows up.”

Dex frowned. “Wouldn’t that have to be Scissor?”

“It’s good to know when to speak up,” Hammer said.

“And even better to know when to keep quiet,” Peter said, keeping his eyes on the plate, but Dex knew the words were aimed at him, and he sank into the chair, full of guilt.

He hadn’t meant to be rude. The words just popped into his head.

“So you’re staying out of trouble?” Peter asked after a long, heavy pause. “Iamglad to see you alive and well.”

Hammer stretched, sitting more upright. “I’ve done well for myself. Both in terms of jobs and relationships.”

“Oh? What is it you do?” Peter asked entwining his hands and leaning forward to rest his chin on them.

“I am a bounty hunter.”

That was the first time Dex heard of this, but he didn’t know everything about Hammer yet, as proven by this visit at his parents’ place, so maybe he really did do that on the side. He smiled at Hammer mentioning a goodrelationship. Because that would be him. He could only hope that wasn’t also a lie.

Peter stared at him as if once more assessing the width of Hammer’s shoulders. “I guess everyone has their talents. And you were always smart with puzzles and the like, so that might be helping you with the detective part of the job?”

Hammer exhaled, and his hand found Dex’s under the table. “I like the challenge of it, and bringing justice to people who deserve it.”

“Doesn’t it feel like hunting down your own?”

Again, that weird tension in the air, but Hammer shook his head as two sets of footsteps resonated down the hall. Moments later, Wolfie ran in with a large bowl of salad, and his mother followed, holding a steaming pot, which smelled both fishy and tart. When she placed the dish on the wooden board in the middle of the table, Dex saw it was filled with long ribbons of pasta with bits of broccoli, strips of red, and small fish mixed in.

“I love anchovies!” Wolfie exclaimed, taking his place at the table.

“It smells amazing,” Dex said. “Noodles are my jam, Mrs…” He only then realized he hadn’t caught the last name. Or he’d forgotten it, which would have been even worse.

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