David
I had to admit that the days when I got laid before work put me in a much better mood than usual. I knew I needed to rethink the timing of letting Greyson take over, but it was going to happen sooner or later, and I just needed Allison’s support for letting me decide when. I couldn’t bring myself to just dump it on him, and I didn’t think my father would approve of such a move either, especially at this time of the year.
Greyson came in to grab his usual cup of coffee and was so busy texting that he didn’t have time to say hello. I watched him and laughed when he sat down with me like usual and proceeded to ignore me for his device.
“Good morning to you too, friend.”
“Oh, sorry, man. I’m not great at multitasking and texting. I’m not really great at texting. I’m always inadvertently typing something inappropriate thanks to fucking auto-correct and fat fingers.”
“Who is getting all of your attention? Is it a girl?”
“Yeah. If you have to know, it’s Katrina. And before you go making any cheeky remarks, no; we’re not sexting.”
“I wasn’t going to say a word. But if it gets to the point your sending dick pics, I’m going to make you marry her.”
“Relax, I’m not a total fucking sleaze, man. Innuendo at best.” He gave me a wink and then balanced the phone on his knee as he sipped his coffee.
The phone rang, and it was still a bit early for business, but I answered it anyway. “David DeVant.”
“Hello, Mr. DeVant. This is Ms. Caine from Oaks Academy.”
My heart stopped thinking there was a problem and what was worse, I’d have to call and tell Allison. “Yes, ma’am. What seems to be the trouble?”
“Oh, there’s no trouble. Sierra’s doing wonderfully. In fact, she’s trying out today for a part in the Christmas pageant, but I’m afraid I’ve hit a snag, and while it’s the last thing I wanted to spend my morning doing, I’m afraid I’m calling to see if you might help us out with a little financial issue.”
It wasn’t every day that a school called asking for money and especially by reaching out to me directly. “What kind of a financial issue?” Greyson’s head popped up from his coffee, and I suddenly had his full attention.
“It seems the money I’m usually allowed to put on the Christmas pageant has been cut. I’ve got enough to pay the deposit for the venue, and we have a few costumes and items that we can reuse from previous years, but I’m afraid I’ll not have enough for all the props we’ll need to really make the pageant the success it’s been in years past.”
“I see. So, how much money are we talking about?” I knew what was a lot of money to some, wasn’t but a drop in the bucket for me, but I needed to always present myself like it mattered.
“Well last year our total spending was just under three grand, and that was after we bought refreshments and paid the rent on the stage. My budget is less than a thousand this year.”
“I’ll send you over a check for five thousand dollars, Mr. Caine, but I’d like for you to take what’s left and see it goes to a worthy cause.”
“Oh yes, Sir. The show is free for our parents and friends, and the last night of the show we ask for a charitable donation. I’ll see to it that what’s left goes into the till.” Her voice was so full of joy that I knew the amount of my check was only going to get bigger. “Thank you so much.”
“Glad I can help. You know, Sierra really loves her new school. I’m appreciative of all you do. Have a Merry Christmas.”
“Same to you, Mr. DeVant.” She hung up the phone, and I looked up to see Greyson shaking his head.
“Aren’t you just the original Santa Claus.”
“Yeah, if Sierra gets a part, you’re getting a ticket.”
“Lucky me,” he said and rolled his eyes until I cleared my throat. “I mean, I wouldn’t miss it for the world.”
“And you’ll bring your checkbook. It’s for charity, after all. Perhaps, you could even bring a date.” I laughed, and he shook his head.
“You don’t give up do you?”
“Not when it bugs the shit out of you, no.” I belted a laugh when he shot me the finger.
“Did you ever get the team to look at the Dax Scott account?” He was supposed to put the group on it, and each was going to come back at us with an idea.
“Yes, and we’re spending the day looking at their concepts. I can’t wait to see what they come up with.” He sounded really enthused and sincere, much more so than my current mood.
“You love this job, don’t you?”
“Yeah, I really do. The creative part is always a rush, and I love making a deal.” He spoke with conviction and with a sense of pride for what my father built as I had never had.
“You really are the son my father always wanted, aren’t you?” And one day I’d give him the place he deserved.
He laughed, it was something he’d always teased me about. “I was a pretty good substitute, but you boys always had his heart. Some days, he’d talk and talk about you trying to get me to tell him things. He really grilled me when you enlisted. Damn, I thought he was going to pop a vein with stress. Remember that one on his forehead?
“Yeah, And the way he’d turn red.”
“Like he was going to fucking explode. Used to scare the hell out of me. I’ve never seen anyone so red, the devil maybe.” We shared a laugh.
“He was a devil alright.” I really missed my father, and it was good to have someone to talk to who knew him as I did. Missy and Blaine got too damned emotional, each on different ends of the spectrum, and it was then that I realized, why I was having a hard time letting go. At work, where my father loved to be, I felt closer to him than ever.
We finished up our day and sat with the team who showed us some really interesting and funny takes on Dax Scott’s idea. And by the time we were done, I had a few that were solid enough to present to him.
I headed home, eager to see my girls. My plan was to tuck Sierra in early and spend the night with my wife.
I found them both in our deconstructed kitchen and kissed them hello. Sierra was busy playing with Mystery, so when I got to Allison, I whispered softly in her ear. “I’ve wanted you all day. You owe me another round or two.”
“Sorry, baby. I asked Blaine and Katrina to come over. He had a last-minute meeting he couldn’t miss and called to cancel, but I thought there was no reason being so formal. We’re family and Katrina is my best friend. We can make it a casual thing. I thought we could eat take out on the patio since the house is such a mess.”
I pulled her in for a kiss and spoke softly, so Sierra didn’t hear. “Okay, Ms. Pouty Pants. But when you’re crying for attention and getting all sassy with me, I’m going to remind you of this night and how it was your fault we didn’t get our alone time.”
“Well, it’s not like I expected anything to happen.”
“Ouch, woman. You’re going to earn a spanking with that mouth.” I gripped her ass and made love to her mouth until Sierra screamed across the room. I turned to see she’d tripped over a piece of trim that the workers had left on the floor.
There was a trail of blood down her leg, and I ran over to scoop her up and take a look. It was a superficial cut and mostly scraped the skin, but my blood was boiling for their negligence. I’d be glad when they finally finished, and we could have our house back.
“I swear, those men.” I tried to hold my tongue as I brought Sierra to the counter and Allison was quick to get a cold rag and some bandages. “Let Daddy clean it.” Sierra’s cheeks were wet with fat tears, and I realized it was the first time she’d had an accident on my watch. I felt like such a damned failure and so helpless.
“It’ll be okay, Papa Bear. She’s going to be fine.” Allison tried to calm me down, but our kid was bleeding. I didn’t know how she kept her composure when all I wanted to do was grab that piece of trim and beat that pretty boy contractor over the head with it.
“You’re so much better at this than me.”
“You’re doing fine, too. I’ve just had more practice, and it’s not the first time I’ve seen her bleed. But I do know that if you overreact, it’s only going to make it worse.”
“I know that, but damn.” I held Sierra tight against me and rocked her as she cried. “It’s okay, angel baby. Daddy’s sweet girl.”
As her sobs got louder my need to lash outgrew. “I don’t want her in this room anymore. Not until this work is done. And I’m saying something to this GD crew! They need to have their stuff out of the way. There’s a child living here.”
“What’s a GD crew, daddy.” Sierra’s little hand reached out and stroked my beard.
Allison pulled her lips in tight and tried not to laugh as I stuttered to explain.
“It’s the kind of crew that these people are.”
Thankfully, I was saved by the ringing of the doorbell.