“Eva, you ready?” I walked toward the front door, not waiting for her to reply. I stood there, trying to force patience into my countenance. It was nearly friggin’ impossible.
Finally, she bounded down the stairs and eyed me suspiciously. “Why are you standing there like that?”
“Like what? I’m just waiting for you.” My eyes narrowed in confusion. Why am I answering to my thirteen-year-old daughter?
“Waiting for me, why?”
“So I can have you help me drag a body from my trunk,” I said with an eye roll. “So I can take you to school. Why else?”
Eva checked her phone and then looked back at me as if trying to fit pieces of a puzzle together, but no matter how she spun them, they just didn’t fit. “I haven’t missed the bus. Why are you driving me?”
“I thought I’d be nice and drop you off. Am I not allowed to do something nice for you?” The look on her face let me know she wasn’t buying it. The truth was, I didn’t offer her the ride to be nice. I did it in the off chance that I’d get to see Lily. I wasn’t entirely sure what I was going to do when I did see her, but I’d figure all that out when the time came. “Fine,” I sighed. “I read a story in the newspaper about a bus driver who kidnapped one of the students on his route and held her hostage for three weeks before they found her. She’s so traumatized that she hasn’t spoken in four months. I guess the story makes me a little nervous about you riding the bus.”
Her eyes narrowed. “Are you going to pick me up in the afternoon too?”
Shit. “No.”
“Why not?” She put a hand to her hip and awaited my response. When had she become so skeptical?
“Because I don’t view sixty-year-old Doris Callahan as much of a threat to your safety. Can we go now, please?” Thank the Lord her afternoon driver was a female. Otherwise I would've been totally fucked.
Eva’s face softened and she dropped her hand from her hip. She started toward the door, but stopped in front of me, suddenly wrapping her arms around my torso.
“Thanks, Daddy.”
I hugged her back firmly and dropped my cheek to the top of her head. “Anytime, baby. It’s my job to keep you safe.” I am really going to burn in hell for this one.
Eva pulled away, bounced out the door, and got in the car. As I locked the house, I hoped that, however things played out with Lily, it was worth lying my ass off to my daughter.
***
Eva had actually kissed me on the cheek before exiting the car and making her way into the school building. I should’ve felt disappointed in myself for getting her affection in such a devious manner, but I was eating it up. The way I saw it, this was retroactive payment for all the things I had done for her over the past thirteen years that I hadn’t gotten a shred of appreciation for. Like talking to her about her period. I was definitely owed for that one.
But Eva had left the car five minutes ago and I was still at the end of the driveway leading up to Swift Middle School. I had scanned the teacher parking lot and didn’t see Lily’s car. She’s probably running late, as usual. Why I was still sitting there though, I didn’t know. I just couldn’t bring myself to pull away. So, instead, I sat there like a third-rate stalker hoping to catch a glimpse of a woman I wasn’t even sure I liked.
Then I saw her. I had somehow missed her pull in, but I hadn't missed her walking toward the school. And as soon as I caught sight of her soft, brown hair blowing gently in the wind, the confidence of her gait, and the cool collectedness on her face, I knew why I was still sitting there. I damn well did like her. Maybe even loved her. And I had about fifteen seconds to determine what to do about it before she stepped into the building and I lost my chance to do anything.
“Fuck it,” I muttered as I threw my car in gear and drove toward the school entrance. She was approaching the front doors, and I felt my opportunity slipping away. I racked my brain for something to say, but nothing came. Finally, I just said anything. “Thanks!” I yelled as I leapt from my car, not even bothering to close my door. I watched her jerk to a stop, but she didn’t turn around. Does she not recognize my voice? I immediately realized what a stupid question that was. It was because she knew it was me that her body was so tense. Maybe this had been a mistake.
“Uh . . . Lily, I just wanted to say thanks for the coffee.” I stood there, waiting for her to turn around and acknowledge me in any way. Christ, this had definitely been a mistake.