Oscar:No problem, I can always come to you, so you don’t leave him alone if that’s an option.
Me:Sure, let’s do that. It would be significantly better.
Oscar:K, see you at 5
When I enter Dad’s room, he’s passed out. I leave his food on his nightstand at least when he wakes up, he’ll find it. I clean up around the house waiting for Oscar. He mentioned he would bring supper when he sent another text asking for Dad’s address.
Five o’clock on the dot the doorbell rings. I rush to open the door. Standing looking like a God himself is Oscar wearing black dress pants, a checkered dress shirt with the sleeves rolled up to his elbows.
I let out a small whistle. “You know, I’m surprised no one has snatched you up yet.”
He rolls his eyes. “Whatever, Chuck, let’s eat and work.” He holds up both hands that are loaded with takeout bags and a briefcase.
I move out of the way so he can enter the house. Kicking off his shoes he makes himself at home. “By all means, get cozy.”
“Thanks Chuck, where’s your dad at? I grabbed him some soup.”
Thoughtful, single, something has to be wrong with him, right? Did I miss some red flags somewhere?
“He’s upstairs. He’ll be down shortly. He was taking a shower earlier. Kitchen is straight back that way.” I point behind him.
Once we set the food out, Dad makes his presence known.
“Pumpkin. Who is this strapping young lad?”
Oscar sticks his hand out for
Dad to shake. “It’s nice to meet you Mr. Holmes. I’m Oscar Mills. I’m Chucks PA.”
“Son, call me Scott. It’s nice to meet you.”
“Dad, join us for supper. Oscar brought you some soup. We have some work to go over, if you don’t mind listening to some accounting garbage.”
Dad cracked up. “After all these years of me talking about cop talk, I owe you an ear.”
“I would love to hear some cop talk,” Oscar tells Dad.
While they talk, I eat, it’s entertaining watching these two. Thoughts of Lucca come to mind. I can’t picture him and Dad sitting down chatting like this. Not until Dad can get over what he does. Yes, I understand he’s in the mafia. I only wish things would be easier between all of us. After they finish their talk, Dad heads upstairs to rest some more.
“I love your dad. He’s like the coolest person ever. Can you imagine getting to shoot people for a living? Amazing Chuck, amazing. My parents are boring accountants, hence why I’m a PA for one, no offense or anything.”
“None taken.”
“I know, but hey at least you grew up with all those stories. Right.”
I’m not one to burst his bubble, but sometimes it sucked with Dad working all the time never knowing if he was going to be coming home alive or not. With a deep breath, I steer Oscar back on track. By the time he leaves, it’s already eight. I haven’t heard from Lucca all day. Guess it’ll be who finally breaks the silence.
His phone rings, then heads to voicemail.
“Hey baby, it’s just me. Call me when you can.” I toss my phone on the couch. Can’t say I didn’t try right.
I’ve must’ve dozed off because the next thing my phone is waking me up. Fumbling around I find it.
“Hello,” I croak out.
“Did I wake youTesoro?” Lucca spoke lowly.
I clear my throat. “No, what time is it?”