“Jesus,” she gasps. “Have you been dating my dad for more than a month?”
I shake my head.
“OK,” she huffs. “Well at least there’s that.” She sits quietly for a moment before saying, “I know you always used to say that I had the hottest dad in school.” She shakes her head. “I always thought it was a joke though.”
I nod my head and shrug a little. I did say that a lot in high school. It’s true he really was the best looking dad in the school. I don’t know if she means to say it out loud, but she mutters, “Your dad is kind of hot too in that bad boy kind of way.”
“My dad? You’re kidding?” I laugh, not fully believing her. “I guess my dad does have that certain bad-boy appeal. It would be funny if we created each other stats.”
We both laugh really hard for a moment before we stop and stare at each other. “That would make us best friends, stepsisters, and stepmoms,'' I say, slowly raising my brow.
“Yeah, I guess that is a little wild,” she agrees shaking her head. “Then again, we are in Wyoming which isn't exactly Kentucky but it’s definitely not Connecticut either.“
She glanced back over at me. “I'm happy for you Lizzy,'' she says, leaning over and resting her drunken head on my shoulder. “I really truly am.”
“Thank you,” I tell her. “That means a lot to me, I know this whole situation isn’t an easy one to accept.”
“Not initially, no,” she says, shaking her head before smiling again. “And I’m not saying it isn’t going to be weird because it will be. But I'm glad you told me. It sure as hell beats coming home and finding you guys in bed together.”
“God,” I say with a laugh, shaking my head, “that would be so horrible and I’m pretty sure your dad would be mortified.” She laughs, shaking her head.
Just then, my phone begins to ring. “Hey, it’s my dad,” I say reaching down to pick up the phone. “Yes, is everything okay?” I ask. His voice is strange and tired.
“Have you been drinking?” I prod but I still don’t understand his response. “I’m sorry Dad, I don’t understand what you were trying to tell me. Can you say that again?”
“Lucy,” he says, his voice harsh. “I need your help. I need you right now. I don’t have much time.”
“Okay, done. What is it?” I say the words coming out quickly wondering what this could be.
“I need you to meet me at my apartment, then go to the warehouse. You know the one just downtown. Meet me as quickly as you can.”
“Okay,” I say, “but I need to drop Charlie off at home first.
“Sure, okay,” he concedes. “Just hurry. I can’t wait much longer.”
“Okay,” I say, putting my foot down and accelerating quickly. I hang up and put my phone back in my purse.
“What is going on?'' Charlie asks, her voice full of concern.
“I’m not sure, my dad sounds like he’s in trouble. I’m going to drop you off at home and drive over to his apartment. Are you going to be alright alone tonight?” I ask her, reaching over and brushing her hair behind her ear.
“Yeah of course I’m going to be fine,” she says smiling at me now. “Just take care and tell him hi for me.”
Later
* * *
“Hey Dad,” I say, opening the door and calling into the hallway.
“Lucy, come quick!” he says, his voice low and ushering me in.
I close the door behind me. I turn and see a dimly lit room. My father is pacing back-and-forth as he runs his hand through his hair. “I don’t have a lot of time, I need you to listen to me,'' he says, “I need you to put on this jacket, and at midnight, I need you to go to the warehouse downtown.”
“Why the warehouse,” I ask confused.
“Please don’t ask any questions. The less you know, the better.”
“Okay,” I say, and nod slowly. My stomach is tightening as I think about what the warehouse he owns downtown used to be used for.