9
Izzy was waiting in the living room when Jessie walked in.
“Daddy, where have you been?”
“I went to Christmas in the Village, as you asked me to.” He pulled the gift cards from his jacket pocket and handed them to her. “You won a manicure and pedicure.”
“Thank you.”
He noticed the tension in her stance, heard the edge in her voice.
“Are you angry?”
“I’m not angry. I just thought you’d be here when I got home, that’s all. You made me come home at eleven, and then you weren’t even here.”
It wasn’t anger he was seeing. It was fear. He shouldn’t have lost track of time. He should have known she’d be anxious when she’d returned home, and he wasn’t here. This was one of those moments, the kind of little deal you’d look back on and realize was a big deal. “Well, I’m home now and I’m starved,” he lied. “How about you?”
She shrugged. “I guess.”
“Do vegans eat ice cream?”
“I’m kind of over that.”
In the kitchen, he retrieved two bowls from the cupboard, filled them with Rocky Road ice cream, and set them on the table. “How was your date?”
“It was amazing.”
“Was Lon a perfect gentleman?” He affected a thick Brooklyn accent, made a fist and slammed it into his hand. “Or will I have to give him a knuckle sandwich?”
“Daad!”
“Just checking.”
“The movie was incredible, and then we got pizza and talked. We have so much in common, you have no idea. We could have talked all night if I hadn’t had to be home so early.”
He could relate. “M-hmm. Tough break.”
She ate a spoonful of ice cream. “So, what about you?”
“What about me?”
She grinned. “What’s her name?”
“What makes you so sure I was out with a woman?”
“Because your eyes are literally sparkling.”
“My eyes are not sparkling.”
Her grin widened. “Yes, they are.”
He spooned up a generous helping of ice cream. “So, what was your movie about?”
“Why are you trying to change the subject? I don’t mind if you date.”
“You don’t?”
“I mean, I miss Mom. A lot. But you being alone won’t bring her back. I want you to be happy.”
“Thanks, Iz.”
She swallowed another spoonful of her ice cream. “So, what’s her name?”
“Her name is Alexis, OK?” he growled.
“When do I get to meet her?”
“Who says you will?”
“You got to meet Lon.”
“Yes, I did.”
“So…?”
“Christmas Eve.”
“Sweet!”
“It was just coffee, Izzy. Don’t make a federal case out of it.”
She laughed. “Good one, Dad.”
“Speaking of sparkling, I got you an early Christmas gift.” He retrieved the bracelet from his coat pocket and handed it to her.
She slid it onto her wrist. “Daddy, I love it. Thank you.”
“You’re welcome.”
And then she dropped a bomb and the beautiful moment exploded.
“Lon invited me to Christmas dinner at his house.”
The fist squeezed again. He would be spending Christmas alone? Don’t overreact, Jessie.
“Can I go?”
“Yes, you can go.”
“Sweet. We’ll still have Christmas morning and our big brunch together.”
“Izzy, it’s fine. Go and have a good time.”
“About our Christmas brunch. I invited Lon.”
This just gets better and better.
“That’s fine.”
“Thanks.”
He scraped the last of his ice cream into the trash and put the bowls in the sink. “We’d better head to bed. We have church in the morning.”
She was on her phone, sending a text. Probably alerting Lon that he’d given him the go ahead to ruin their Christmas day. “OK. Night, Dad.”
“Goodnight, Izzy.”
After Izzy padded up the stairs, he washed and dried the bowls. His daughter was not a child any more. Like her false eyelashes and her purple hair, her boyfriend was something he would have to get used to. Lord, give me the strength for this.
In the bathroom, he undressed and brushed his teeth. His thoughts returned to Alexis and the wonderful evening they’d had. He studied his face in the mirror. Darned if his eyes weren’t sparkling.