I frowned at Dad and looked around. “I live here now?”
He grinned and pressed a quick kiss to the side of my head as he walked by. “I mean in the kitchen, sitting and relaxing, this early. Normally, you’re either asleep when I leave, or I only catch a glimpse of your back as you’re sprinting out of here.”
I drained my juice and shrugged. “I got a good night’s rest. That’s all.”
Dad looked nothing like me. His sandy blond hair went lighter in the summer and with his bright blue eyes, he looked like a fair-skinned surfer. I’d gotten Mom’s dark hair and deeper eyes. I even had her smaller nose and the same dip in my cupid’s bow. I could stand next to Dad and no one would ever know we were related.
It’d never really occurred to me until Reba showed up with her blond hair and Barbie figure. They looked like a cute little family, only missing their blond children. I didn’t fit into their family pictures. I knew because Reba scheduled them for times when I was never available. Having Grandma around made it bearable, but I missed having a parent alive who people told me I looked identical to when they saw us together. I missed having my person.
Dad stood across from me and drank from a glass of lemon water. “What’s on your agenda for the weekend?”
My mind flashed to an inappropriate image of the guys, but I shoved it away. “I’m not sure yet. Probably more of the same.”
Grandma chose that moment to stroll into the kitchen, looking every bit like an extra fromI Love Lucy. She stopped when she spotted me and looked me over while tapping her finger in my direction. “Oh,youhad a damn good night.”
Dad looked at me again and frowned. “What’s she mean?”
Grandma looked over at him and sighed. “I didn’t see you there, Bill. You look the same.”
I smiled into my muffin and watched as she moved around the kitchen and planted a red-lipped kiss on Dad’s cheek, leaving a giant red lip print behind. Reba came in and frowned when she saw it. I watched Grandma watch Reba flutter about, cleaning Dad’s cheek before looking up and seeing me.
“Well, look who’s up.”
“What did you do last night, SJ?” Dad was still focused on me, his eyes narrowed in fatherly mistrust.
I stood up and started gathering myself to leave. “Nothing.”
“SJ.” He put his hands on his hips and frowned. “What’s your grandmother talking about?”
Grandma sighed dramatically. “I wasn’t talking about anything. Stop bothering her. She’s got to get going.”
“No, something is going on. What are you two up to? I don’t trust you together. What time did you get in last night?”
I put my hands on my hips, mimicking him without even realizing it. “I am an adult. I understand that I’m living with you and I’ll always respect your house rules, but I don’t need to tell you when I come home or who I was with.”
“So, you were with someone?” Dad narrowed his eyes. “A boy?”
Grandma laughed, doubling over and smacking her knee. “A boy! That’s funny.”
Dad braced his hands on the countertop and shook his head at me. “You were out with a boy last night? It’s a work night, SJ.”
I tossed my trash in the garbage and shot a glare at Grandma. “I wasn’t out with a boy, Dad. Again, I’m an adult. This is a weird conversation to be having.”
“You keep saying you’re an adult, SJ. Are you any closer to moving out?” Reba sounded sweet and innocent, but I could read through her casual remark. Everyone could.
Even Dad seemed to deem her comment rude. “Reba…”
I laughed. “No, Dad, let her. Maybe she’s right. Maybe I’ll move out with aboy! Just think of it! I could be barefoot and pregnant in no time with my very own kitchen and dry muffins.”
“Hey! I made those.” Grandma sniffed. “Well, I bought them.”
“You are not moving in with a boy, SJ. You’re not ready for a baby. Jesus. It’s too early for this shit. I’m going to work.” Dad threw his hands up and left the three of us women alone in the kitchen, staring at each other.
Reba crossed her arms over her chest and raised her eyebrows at me, like she was expecting something. I stared back at her, unsure of what she thought she was going to get.
Grandma suddenly made a choking sound and spit out a hunk of muffin. “These are dry as a lizard’s ass.”
I giggled and moved to the stairs. “I’ve got to finish getting ready for work. We can finish whatever this is later. If I’m not out withboys.”