“So did I. I got a feeling you and I are going to get along just fine, sir.” At the time, I had thought it was weird that Dad called James 'sir'. Later on, however, I found out that this was the first business deal that James had ever made.
So now, the man who had bought me a conversation way back in the day would now have to buy me an expensive flight home because I had been irresponsible. Because James had left such an impression on me that day that I couldn't help but fall for guys that were aloof, full of themselves, and flaked out on me over a car ride home. I didn't even want to think of the car ride James had denied me right now. I just wanted to get home.
Chapter 3
You know what they say, I thought. You can never go home again.
I looked up at the house I once called “home” and called my dad. I didn't have enough cash to pay the taxi driver, who stood next to me with his arms crossed. It was snowing out and we were both shivering. My rolling luggage was safely in his trunk, held hostage in case I didn't have enough money to pay.
He answered on the first ring. “Allie!”
I put the most charm that I could in my voice. “Hi, Dad! There was a change in plans, and I had to take a taxi from the airport. I need you to come out and pay him.”
“Oh. But I thought that nice boy Jon was supposed to drive you home from the airport.”
I sighed. Jon had been my first boyfriend when I moved to New York. He was a nice guy for sure. Too nice. My dad had met him when he came up to visit me at college, but by then I already felt no sexual attraction for him anymore. I had dumped him the day after my dad left.
He had no idea about any of the other guys I had been with.
“Things with Jon didn't work out. Can you come quick? I'm freezing out here,” I said, shivering in the snowy air.
“Oh, okay. Let me just put some pants on.” Maybe some things about home never did change. On days when my dad didn't go to the office, he often just worked in his underwear and robe. It was a wonder he had managed to land a wife at all.
I waited outside for him. When he finally arrived, he was still wearing the robe I remembered from high school, just with a pair of sweatpants and a ratty pair of tennis shoes. He looked absolutely ridiculous. Even the taxi driver had a quick laugh about it. Dad paid off the guy, and he released my bag from captivity. We trudged back through the snow and got inside the house.
As soon as I was in the door, he wrapped me up in a big hug. “So good to see you, kiddo! How are things?”
“Fine,” I said, sounding exhausted. I had already had a super long day and I didn't really feel like talking to him or anyone about it.
“Sorry to hear about Jon, he seemed like a nice fella. Do I need to go break his leg or point a shotgun at him or anything?”
I laughed. “No, Dad.” Though if he had asked last night, I would have sent him out after Danny.
“Nancy is in the living room watching TV. Can I get you anything to drink? Hot cocoa?”
“Actually, Dad, I'd rather just go upstairs and unpack. It's been a long day.”
He looked at me with understanding, probably more understanding than I deserved considering the money I had just spent. “Of course, sweetie. We'll be down here if you need anything. Your room is all made up and ready for you.”
“Thanks, Dad.” I grabbed my bag and started to head for the stairs. “Oh, and one more thing. I had to use my emergency credit card for a flight out here. Hope you're not mad.”
For a moment, his eyes darkened and I thought he might be angry. Then he softened and said, “Of course. We can talk about what happened later. For now, just relax and unwind.”
I smiled, then skipped back over to him and gave him a kiss on the cheek. “Thanks a ton.” I knew he couldn't really stay mad at me for this. After all, I had made it home for Christmas, hadn't I?
That was more than he could say about James. This would supposedly be his first Christmas home in forever, though I wasn't even sure he'd actually make it this year. They seemed to understand, since he had been busy in college and then, once he dropped out, busy making a billion dollars. Still, I could see that it had affected Nancy.
“Dinner's in an hour,” Dad yelled up after me as I made my way up the stairs.
“Okay, Dad,” I called back. I wondered if I'd even be able to stay up that long.
“Hey,” he called. I turned back. “James said he's going to be here. I really need you to try and be nice to him. He deserves our congratulations and we want to make him feel like part of the family again.”
I knew that my dad thought of James as the son he never had, and that did irk me a little bit. Still, he did deserve recognition for his achievements.
I nodded, making an noncommittal promise and hurried upstairs.
My room was exactly the way I had left it. Well, maybe a little bit neater than when I left.