Chapter 79: CHAPTER SEVENTY-NINE —How do I help you, Dave?

“The guy dropped it off already. Why?” Riley said when her sister-in-law called. “Did you leave the place?”

“No, I’m just on my way. I feel like I’m running late and don’t want to park.” she lied about the reason she called. Shaking her head, Daphne peered through her rear mirror. Sure enough, Dave’s car was right behind her. Suddenly she remembered something. She could end this now, she realized. A phone call to Mabel and that would be it.

“There’s nothing here yet. The party is just starting. The family’s kitchen china got broken. Mom was pretty upset she forgot to start the party her official way” Riley said, cutting through Daphne’s thought unknowingly. “Did you hear what I said?” she questioned, struggling to keep the laughter out of her voice.

“I heard you quite all right.” she replied. “I can picture mom’s face” Daphne smiled inwardly at that. Trust her mother and her traditions. Her mother had to be the one to kick start the event. She did that by ringing her old bell and saying her famous line; welcome family! The party didn’t start until she did her thing. And if something went wrong, she could see her mother’s smug face. Her face would be so grim while she tried not to ruin her makeup.

“She’s very upset”

“As she should.” she replied halfheartedly. She was looking now at Dave who slowed down because she did the same “Then I have some time to spare. I’ll park and get the wine”

“Thanks again.” Riley said.

“And here goes.” breathed Daphne as she swerved into the MASSONs. She didn’t indicate that she would make a turn and just did. Behind her, Dave swerved too. Because he didn’t know he was going to swerve at that moment, his tires screeched loudly. She laughed while ignoring him to find a safe parking spot. Seeing one, she parked. Then she picked her shades from the compartment and used it. With a smug look his way, she looked his way briefly and went into the store without saying a word.

“Are you going to be like this?” Dave asked as she walked right by him into the store. He went after her too.

Daphne smiled at the men in the store. They wore the store’s t-shirt on jeans and looked quite warm with their friendly smile. “I’m picking up the wine packs for Riley Reed.” she said to them. The men showed her a seat and she gave her details as they questioned her. One of them immediately went in to get the pack. All the time, Dave was pacing back and forth behind her. The man who had gone to get the wine cartons came back. He dumped one of the two cartons on Dave’s hands and smiled sweetly at the lady.

“It’s a lady’s world.” he said smugly as Dave reluctantly carried the heavy load to Daphne’s car. He grumbled under the weight of the load. The man walking behind him said nothing as he followed with the other carton.

“Thank you.” she said to the man on the counter and strolling after Dave, waved. Even though the man thought he helped, he had only compounded her problems by letting Dave have the other carton. She planned to have the wine and be gone. Now, she had to face him since he had her things. She unlocked her boot as Dave got near the place and went to sit in her car. The men dropped the carton. The instant they were done, she locked the car with her key from where she sat. But she didn’t bother rushing to start the car. He was in the seat next to her in a minute. “Thank you.” she waved at the man walking away. Then turning to face Dave, she asked “What do you want, Dave? You realize if Mabel sees us like this it doesn’t look good for either of us”

“Well, maybe it doesn’t look good just for you” he threw back at her angrily.

She leaned back in her chair. “Oh, she has still not forgiven you”. Was Mabel serious about not taking her man back? she thought that was a joke, as always.

“No, she wouldn’t. Not after you told her everything”

“Are you seriously pinning your relationship issues on me right now?” she yelled at him angrily. How dare he just sit there, in her car, and say that trash?

Dave rubbed his forehead sorely. He wasn’t here to apportion blame even if Daphne had her fault. She shouldn’t have said everything. He was the one to do that. But that was by the way. “I’m sorry.” he said, holding her hand. She jerked her hand away. He let the hand be. “I was wrong to say that”

She mouthed ‘finally, something nice to hear’

“I’m sorry.” Dave continued, “Please help me right this”

Daphne turned to him with a broad grin. “Now he wants my help.” she scoffed when he took her hand again. “This doesn’t mean shit.” she jerked her hand away. “I’m doing this for Mabel.” she pointed out clearly. What can I do?” she needed to do something for her friend. If this is it, she’d gladly help.

“I need to speak with her and she wouldn’t give me audience.” he told her. “I’d love a date with her at some fancy place. Can you help me get her there?”

That wasn’t a big deal. “I need an honest answer from you though.”

“Go ahead” he urged. “Do you love my friend?” she added, “Honestly” so he could think real deep.

“I do.” he said as honest as he could be.

“And if she’s tired of all the drama?”

He had no answer to that. “I don’t know.” he said Daphne felt sorry for him. His eyes looked haunted.

At the local airport in Texas, Jessica stood hand in hand with her boss, waiting for his son. He was arriving from school today and was due any time now. McCarthy had insisted she came with him even if she felt it would be better that he picked up his son alone. The boy might want just his father this time. But McCarthy insisted he wouldn’t mind seeing her too. That was partly because they had spoken about it on the phone, she was sure of it. Also, since they got along well, he might see nothing wrong in that. But she was skeptical about it. Then, she wasn’t his girlfriend. Now, she was. Would the boy not see her as someone taking his mother’s spot? She hoped that didn’t affect her standing relationship with him. Which was why she made McCarthy swear that they weren’t going to tell Luke just yet about their relationship status. “Do you see him anywhere?” she asked her boss again while scanning the large crowd trouping out.

“No.” he started to say. Then he spotted him getting off a line, and pulled Jessie with him. “Yes, yes. I’ve seen him” he shouted excitedly as they made a run for the boy. They ran into a couple who weren’t quite paying attention to their surroundings too. The lady almost fell but her man grabbed her. Her box flew open in the struggle and all the contents flew out.

“We’re so sorry.” Jessica apologized. She bent down to help pick up the things. Turning to McCarthy, she nodded that he should go on and get his kid. “Go.” she said when he looked from the things on the floor to where his son was. “I’ll pick up here”

The couple realized what was going on. The man smiled and sent both of them away. “Go on, we will take it from here.” he said as he gathered some of his woman’s things. There wasn’t much left to pick. Just some packs of anxiety sweet which he had gotten for her and some books, a few clothing.

‘Go, it’s fine.” the lady encouraged. Some folks had already helped retrieve the books, sweet pack, and some clothes.

McCarthy and Jessie dragged slowly unsure if they should stay or leave “Go.” the couple insisted loudly.

“Thank you” they both chorused Luke looked up at the commotion a few feet from him. Seeing his dad, he dropped his box and ran towards the two. “Hey Dad.” he screamed, rushing into his arms. He smiled at Jessie beside him. The instant he was free of his father’s firm grasp, he hugged her too. “I miss you”

“I’ve missed you too.” she said, hugging him tightly.

Luke pulled back to look at the lady properly. He smiled at her makeup. She looked amazing and different.

“Do I look different?” Jessica asked Luke as he kept starring at her.

“I think so.” he told her then handed over something. “Happy Thanksgiving.” he said shyly.

Jessica hugged him, “I get a gift” she jumped excitedly while her boss looked on. She began to unwrap her gift. The boy had it wrapped in a small box. Before opening it, she could guess it was a pair of earrings. But when she opened it, what she saw wowed her. The box housed a small neck chain, bracelet, and earring. “Where did you get money to buy this?”

“I saved” he shrugged. “My father sends me more than I need. And my grandparents too”

Jessica looked at McCarthy with a mixed expression. He nodded his approval and smiled at his son’s chivalrous behavior. Ruffling his hair, he muttered that he was proud of him.

“Thank you.” Jess said, hugging the boy again. Thankfully, she had gotten him something too. But it was waiting for him at home. She couldn’t wait to show him.

“You’re welcome.” Luke replied. “Can we go now? I’m famished”

“Yes, please.”

“Go where.” McCarthy asked looking astonished. “Are you saying you didn’t get me anything?” he looked shocked that his son actually never got him anything but got Jess something.

“No, Dad.” replied Luke, “I didn’t know what to get you.” he ran his hand through his head. “I looked and couldn’t make up my mind. So I just figured you had everything anyway”

Jessica covered her mouth as a laugh threatened to fall. She could tell the boy was joking but his father didn’t get it. He was going to make a fool of himself if she didn’t something. “You figured he doesn’t need anything but got me this lovely set” she raised the small box.

“Are trying to make me jealous now?” McCarthy asked with a mocking glare.

She ignored him, and asked Luke instead “How did you know I needed them?”

“You hardly have a complete set.” Luke teased. “I noticed that the last time that the pairs didn’t match”

It was McCarthy’s turn not to laugh. “Really?”

“Kidding Jess” he smiled, hugging her as he produced his father’s gift. “Here dad.” he gave him the pack. “But you cannot open it now”

“Why? Thank you, son”

“I wasn’t sure about what to get you really. I hope you like it”

“I’ll treasure it. This is the first gift you’re giving me since…”

“Mom died? I know. It’s why I got you that”

As the two embraced, Jessie stayed back watching them. She was happy they were both in a good place with each other now. Coughing slightly, she made the two stop their mushy murmurs. She could bet one of them was bound to cry if she didn’t stop. “We should leave now” she said, looking around them for emphasis. A few people were looking their way.

“Yes, home.” Luke said, “I’m really hungry”

“We can just grab a bite outside”

McCarthy grabbed his box and they started to walk out of the terminal. They went first to get something for his son to snack on while they head home. Once outside, he saw a couple whose things they had fallen earlier, standing by the exit, waiting for a cab. “Do you suppose we could give them a ride?” he asked Jessica “Of course” she replied.

McCarthy parked the car right across from them and honked. “Let’s give you a ride.” he said, winding down the glass. “Where are you headed?”