Jack, Troy, Marion, стр. 21
There’s a huge smile in her voice as Mar offers news that cuts me to my core. “Troy helped. He did all of my errands for me. Cooked me meals. Kept me company while I watched girly-movies.”
I lock eyes with him. He knows I’m jealous, and he feels guilty about it. But didn’t I ask for this? Didn’t I tell her she’d never feel my kiss again?
“We all need friends like that. You can check out at the nurse’s station, Marion. It was a pleasure.”
“Thank you, Doctor Eudy.”
We watch her go, and as soon as she’s gone, Marion looks at me, the sweet smile gone. “How were the Florida Keys?”
I cock my head.
She’s jealous, too.
What the fuck?
She’s not satisfied with one guy?
She still wants two?
The door opens and we all look over.
“Daddy!”
My stomach turns as David walks in wearing a suit, his tie perfect. “Well well well, look who’s got her cast off!” Passing me, he claps a hand on my shoulder. “Hey Jack, when did you get back in town?”
“Today.”
“Poker on again?”
“You bet.”
“Great.” He focuses on our friend. “Troy. Good to see you. Thanks for driving her. It took a load off my mind.” Bending to kiss Marion’s cheek, he explains, “I only have a few minutes, kid. I’m driving back to my office.”
Her beautiful face is riddled with skepticism. “Late lunch?”
“Kind of.”
“Dad.”
He chuckles awkwardly and slides a glance around before landing back on her. “Had an errand to run after a lunch meeting.”
“I didn’t realize people named girls “Errand” now. I’ve heard of Erin, but…”
“Marion,” he laughs, rubbing his smooth jaw. “This is about you getting better, right? Look at that leg! Like new.”
“Dad…!”
One more glance swings by. “Oh, alright, I’m among friends. And I needed to tell you sometime. I just didn’t want to make this grand moment about me.” Taking a deep breath, he announces, “I was at city hall applying for a marriage license.”
Air leaves the room.
Troy and I glance to Marion.
She is frozen. Doesn’t even blink, pouty lips parted in shock.
David chuckles nervously, “See, that’s the reaction I expected to get.”
“Did you propose already?”
“Yes.”
“Who is she?”
“Mar…”
“Who the hell is my new stepmom and why haven’t I met her before you put a ring on it?!! Explain!”
15
MAR
M y father has this weird expression that’s a combination of sheepish and proud. And I want to slap it off his face.
“Dad, I’ve heard nothing about a woman I’ll have to spend holidays with for the next however many years!”
“The rest of your years, one hopes,” he jokes, then loses the smile. “I’m sorry, Mar, but it wasn’t that serious at first and then things sped up without my realizing it. You’re a grown girl, now. You don’t meet everyone I date.”
I stand up, mind-blown. “Dates and weddings are two very different things, Dad!”
“Look, I didn’t want you to meet her because I didn’t think you’d approve.”
I flatly ask, “How old is she,” crossing my arms.
His eyes sharpen. “At least I didn’t cheat on your mother. It was the other way around!”
“She’s that young, huh? How old?”
“She’s older than you, don’t worry.”
“How old?”
We glare at each other and he snaps, “Twenty-five.”
I drop my arms. “Nice. Great.” Glancing around for support, I find Jack and Troy grievously bearing witness to something out of their control. Neither is accustomed to that sensation, and neither enjoys it. But as I stand here, struck dumb by the news that my father is tying the knot with a stranger, it dawns on me. “I have news, too, Dad. I am in love.”
Jack bristles, and looks at Troy like he wants to punch him.
My roommate is staring at my father, preparing himself for a right hook from him instead. While Jack was gone, Troy and I didn’t have sex. We haven’t even kissed ever since that one day. But we’ve become very close and I think he was hoping to ask his investor and friend if we could date now. Or someday. The chemistry is insane and he wants more.
So do I.
I’m done waiting.
Dad, unassuming, wants to know more. “Really? That’s great, hun. Who is he?”
“Your best friend.”
A vacuum sucks the air from the room. Jack’s eyes go wide. Troy glances to him, the fury exchanging hands.
Dad can’t quite understand what I’m saying. He tilts his head. “Come again?”
“I’m in love with Jack, Dad. Jack is who I want to be with.”
He laughs, glances to his buddy and back to me. “Oh Mar, you’re hilarious. Look honey, I know this is upsetting news but you don’t have to one-up me by saying this preposterous thing. Nice try.” Shaking his head, he adds, “First of all, aside from the obvious reason why that’s out of the question, he’s too old for you. And don’t throw my girlfriend’s age in my face. You know what I mean. And second, Jack’s too much of a player to ever fall in love. He’s a confirmed bachelor who’s hardly ever here. You’d have done better by saying you loved Troy. That I would’ve believed.”
Jack shifts his weight. “She’s in love with me, David. And it’s mutual.”
My heart fills up with helium that turns my voice into a chipmunk’s, the noise I make unrecognizable as my own.
Dad’s smile fades with the slow-motion speed of one who is catching up to reality. He blinks at Jack, and punches him so fast no one sees it coming. The blow cracks Jack’s nose and turns his head toward the door.
Troy steps forward, but knows this isn’t his place. He throws a look to me, filled with questions we don’t have time for.
“You piece of shit bastard!” Dad hollers and goes to punch Jack again. The swing is avoided this time. The next is caught.
“David, calm down. You’re not one to judge.”
This throws my father into a rage. He starts wailing on Jack with punches that don’t get resisted this time.
“Daddy, stop it!” I shout,