We all sat down and caught up with dad over the giant lunch Grams had prepared. She always fixed big meals, but now I understood why this one was completely over the top. It was good to see my dad, it had been a long time, and while we kept up occasionally with phone calls and emails, it was never the same.
“So, Della, Grandpa was telling me you got yourself a job. That’s great to hear sweetie. Tell us about it.” I squirmed in my seat as dad beamed at me from across the table. I could tell he was proud of the progress I had made since moving here. I guess I really shouldn’t let it bother me though, I was a grown adult now, and while everyone thought they needed to keep an eye on me at all times, it really was time for me to be able to take control of my own life.
“I got a job waitressing at a sports bar near campus. I’ve worked a few days on my own now, and the tips are really good. I’ve actually been able to start saving some money up.” There, my answer was vague enough. It’s not like I needed to describe the work uniform for them.
“That’s great sweetie. And I hear that you got two pretty great roommates. Have you met many other people on campus?”
“She’s actually reconnected with Nash since moving back,” Grams chimed in with a mischievous smile on her face. It made me wonder how much ‘reconnecting’ Grams actually knew about.
“Yeah, just as friends though, he has a girlfriend, and I’m really not looking to get involved with anyone right now.” We all knew what happened the last time I had been in a serious relationship.
“Hmm…well that’s nice,” Dad replied. “You know, Della, you’ve grown up a lot since dating Chris. I don’t think it would hurt to get back out there in the dating world. No one expects you to live like a nun for the rest of your life.”
Judging by Grandpas scowl directed at my dad, I think he was expecting just that, and I had to bite back a laugh at his expression. It was true though; I would grow up and possibly have a family some day. “I know Dad. Actually, I have a date later tonight after I head back to campus.”
“Oh, really?” Grams asked in surprise. “Tell us about him. Was it someone you met on campus?”
“Maybe we should meet him before that happens,” Grandpa interrupted sternly.
“Absolutely not,” Dad piped in and I gave him a thankful look. If he hadn’t been there, I probably would have give in to Grandpas strict rules and introduced them to Justin.
I don’t think that one would have gone over very well. I had a feeling a tattooed, pierced, cigarette smoking guy would be someone Grandpa would ban me from dating, no matter how old I was. I had defied my mom plenty, but I wasn’t prepared to do that with my grandparents.
“I think Della has learned her lesson over the years and can make her own choices. I would like to spend some together while I’m back though, Della. Maybe we could meet up to go fishing one day this week if you don’t have any early morning classes.”
“That would be great.” Fishing had always been our thing. We would wake up early to take Grandpa’s fishing boat out and talk for hours. My mother thought it was the most disgusting thing and demanded I immediately bathe whenever we came back from one of our trips.
We finished up our lunch and dad and I did the dishes while catching up with each other. It was great to have him around again. We had always had a special bond that I think my mother was jealous of. It had fizzled a little over the years when I had moved away, but he always tried to come up with something special to make it up to me. Now that he was back, I could tell that he really was interested in getting to know me better and being the father that I needed.
Chapter 12
“How do you think this looks?” I stood in front of Callie and Zoey who were sprawled out on their stomachs, spinning around Callie’s room that looked like Pepto Bismol and a furry white cat had gotten into a fight and exploded all over her room. I mean, I loved pink, it was my favorite, but this was a little much.
“Hello?” I jutted out a hip, glaring down at them when they still didn’t give me answer.
“Oh, sorry Della, We’re just a little busy reading about you.” Callie giggled before looking up from the newspaper that they the two of them had in front of their faces.
“Huh?” I scrubbed at my face, regretting ever coming to the two flighty twins for advice on what I should wear on my date with Justin. I had no clue why I was so worried about what to wear. Justin would probably show up in a t-shirt and those ratty jeans he always had on, thinking he was hotter than any guy out there.
“Look.” Zoey jabbed at the paper again with her pointer finger. “Apparently you’re hot news around here. I didn’t know that I was living with an actual celebrity. Can I please have your autograph?”
I threw a fluffy pink pillow at her face, snatching the paper out of her hands. “What is this exactly?”