Silvy
Macy comes over to take our order. “ Hey Silvy and Mr. Tony,” she says. Macy is such a delight. She has been working here since she was in the middle of high school. “ Hey, Macy. How are you doing?” I asked. “ It is good. I just finished my first year of college. So I’m helping grams through the summer.” she said. “ That’s great. But don’t forget to have a little fun.” Dad said. “ Oh, I am. Grams won’t let me work much. Just a couple of shifts a week for goof-off money.” Macy laughed. Macy is smart as hell. She got a full ride to school to study pre-med. After she took our orders, I got a grilled chicken Caesar salad with a side of fries. It was light and I knew if I didn’t get some veggies my dad would say something. He always made sure I had balanced meals growing up and he isn’t about to stop now. Especially since I’m trying to get pregnant. Dad got himself a loaded burger with onion rings. We both ordered lemonades, I just got a raspberry one.
After Macy left Dad said, “ I’m glad you agreed to have lunch with me.” “ Of course Daddy. Any time I can. You know that.” I said. I watched him fiddle with his fork. Not something he does. Ever. He is never nervous. I lean back in the booth, cross my arms and watch him. When he is ready to talk he will and not before. I’m the same way. Macy brings our drinks and walks away. I take a sip and wait. Dad fiddles with his straw. He looks at me and back at his drink. I can’t take it anymore. “ This isn’t a casual catch-up lunch is it?” I asked.
“ No, princess. I wanted to talk to you about something,” he said. The way he is fiddling is making me nervous. I place my hand on top of his to stop him from twitching. “ Daddy, are you sick? We will get you the best doctors.” I said. I can’t have my dad sick. I will do everything I can for him. “ No, princess, I am fine. Healthy as a horse.” he said. “ Good. Great. Is it Uncle Rivet? Is he alright?” I asked. “ Yes, he is fine too.” Dad said. He ran his hands down his face. “ I’m going about this all wrong,” he grumbles.
Macy places our food on the table. When she leaves my nerves are pushed to the limit. “ Daddy, just spit it out. You are scaring me.” “ Oh, Silvy. I’m sorry. Nothing bad has happened. Or I don’t think it has.” he said. Suddenly I feel like I can breathe again. I pick up my fork and begin eating hoping he will talk. It worked after two minutes. “ Princess, I have been seeing someone. And I want you to meet her,” he said. I place my fork down, place my elbows on the table and place my hands under my chin. He now has my full attention.
Why, you asked. He has never told me about anyone he was seeing or wanted to introduce me. He had fuck buddies over the years. I was sure of it even though he tried to hide it from me. “ So it is serious,” I said. “ I would like to think so,” he said. “ How long have you been seeing her?” I asked. Dad tells me he has been seeing her for about eight months but has known her for a year. “ So why are you nervous about telling me?” I asked.
“ I want you to meet her because I want you to like her,” he said. Wow, this is serious. “ You love her don’t you?” I asked. “ I do, princess. I want to marry her but I won’t even think about it if you don’t approve,” he said. “ Daddy, I’m grown and trying to start my own family. Why would you need me to like her?” I asked. It is sweet that he is considering my feelings but it isn’t necessary. “ You are my daughter no matter what age you are. If you don’t like her then I won’t marry her.” he said. Something is ringing off. “ What aren’t you telling me?” I asked.
“ I can’t get much past you, can I?” Dad asked. I shook my head and continued eating. He told me that this woman is younger than him and a single mom of five years old. I noticed he tensed when he said younger. “ How much younger are we talking?” I asked. I don’t think I can handle him dating a twenty-year-old. It would be gross to me. “ She is thirty-five,” Dad told me.
So five years older than me. Still a little weird but I will get over it on one condition. “ Daddy, does she make you happy?” I asked. “ Yes, princess she does,” he said. He was smiling so big. I have only seen him do that, is when he is talking about me. “ Tell me about her. And the kid.” I told him. He told me how he met her in the cafeteria at the hospital a year ago while waiting for me. Her name is Gena and she is a nurse on the obstetrics floor.
He asked her out right away and she turned him down. It took him two months to convince her to go out with him. He didn’t meet her son until four months ago because she didn’t want to introduce him until she was sure their relationship was serious. I like her already for that. Dad told me about Xavier, Gena’s son. I could tell he loved that little boy. “ And she knows you have a grown daughter?” I asked. I had to know. “ Yes, princess. I have told her all about you. Gena has even gone to the ICU to see you just to know who you are.” Dad said. I can see how much he wants me to meet them. But more importantly, I can see how happy he is. “ I’ll meet them. Set it up.” I told him. My dad's face lights up. “ You will?” he asked. I nodded. “ Thank you, princess,” he said looking relieved. “ Don’t thank me yet. She better not hurt you or she will have to deal with me.” I told him. I wasn’t joking. Nobody messes with my daddy and gets away with it.
We had just finished eating. Dad was telling me he would get with Gena and tell me when a good time to meet was. He was thinking of having everyone over for dinner. I could handle that. We were chatting when Merigold came over to our table. “ Hey Silvy,” she said. I got up and hugged her. Marigold looks at my dad and doesn’t look the least bit intimidated. Not surprising considering her husband and brother. “ Are you going to introduce me to your friend?” Marigold asked. “ Merigold, this is my dad, Tony,” I said. I watched as Merigold’s eyes get big in shock. I’m used to that reaction. Dad doesn’t look his age. “ Dad, this is Merigold. I have told you about her a few times.” “ Dad? What did you do? Have her when you were twelve?” Merigold asks.
We all have a good laugh while Dad and Merigold shake hands. Then she told me a bunch of them are going to the lake today for swimming and a barbecue. “ You should come with us.” Merigold invited me. I start shaking my head but Dad stops me. “ Go have fun with your friends, princess. Soak up some sun and enjoy your day off. I’ll call you to come to the house for dinner.” he said. I guess I’m going to the lake. I tell Merigold I have to go home to change and pack a bag but I will meet her there. With a goodbye hug from Dad I head home.