Joneses – 18.2 Covert Mission

Phoenix plopped down next to her father. Even after all that time, leaving him to go back home was still weird. All week, she missed him and couldn’t wait to get home from school on Friday nights so she could go to San Myshuno. She didn’t even pack a bag anymore and kept some of her clothes and personal items in the apartment. Two and a half days were never enough. At that point in her life, she had lived more than half of it going back and forth and was used to it. But, in those moments, life was unfair and cruel.

“Getting out of here?” he asked.

“In a bit.”

She saw the same sentiment in his eyes every time she prepared to return to Willow Creek. Sometimes she half expected him to cry though he wasn’t that kind of guy. What was it like for him to live so far away from his family all alone in a tiny, ran-down apartment? Did he ever get lonely? Or, was he the type who appreciated the quiet? She didn’t think so.

“Daddy?”

“Yes, my darling?”

“Do you have any friends?”

His eyes lit up briefly like the question caught him by surprise. “I suppose.”

That was a no. “What do you do when I’m not here?”

He chuckled nervously. “Why the sudden interest in my personal life?”

She flashed a totally not guilty smile. “I’m just curious!”

He eyed her suspiciously. “Sometimes, I go across the street and have a drink…or four.”

Her mouth dropped at the image of him being tipsy in public.

“Other times, I have dinner outside and meet people. Sometimes, I even play basketball.”

If her jaw could reach the floor, surely the mice would run in and make themselves comfy. “You play basketball?”

“Well, play is an overstatement, I’m sure.”

“So…these people you meet…do you ever hang out with them again?”

His eyes narrowed. “Are you doing reconnaissance for your mother?”

“What? No! Of course not! I’m just…you know…just curious about you.”

He eyed her suspiciously and sighed. “Fine. No, I have not dated anyone. That’s what you really want to know, right?”

She smiled innocently and shrugged. “Maybe? Maybe not!”

He shook his head at her.

“Do you want to get married again?”

He sat back on the couch and thought about it. “I’m not sure marriage is for me. But, if I do decide to do that again, it’ll be my idea on my terms.”

She nodded. Though she couldn’t put her finger on it exactly, something about him seemed off. He didn’t want to get married again, but he probably wouldn’t mind a girlfriend. He didn’t seem like the type of guy who could live long without a woman in his life. Maybe she could help.

“I should go before it gets too dark.”

He stood up to walk her to the door. “You’re up to something, and I don’t like it.”

“I don’t know what you mean!”

He shook his head again. “Come here, you little jokester.”

“I love you, daddy!”

“I love you too, darling. Put on a sweater. It’s supposed to be chilly tonight.”

“Daddyyyy…”