“Just watching a movie, Dad.” I yawn.
“Who is this boy in your bed? And why’s there a lawnmower by our front door?”
“This is Corndog,” I say. “He’s a friend from school.”
Dad raises an eyebrow. “A friend?”
Why is Dad choosing this precise moment to stop being Daddy Denial? Gar. It’s not like I really care—I mean, this is just Corndog—what if Brian were in my bed?
“I better go,” Corndog says, giving me a nervous smile.
“I’ll walk you to the front door.” I hop out of bed and lead him down the hall. When we get to the living room, I stop dead. Mystery Woman Veena is here. Staring at me. She looks from me to Corndog and back to me again.
Who is this lady? Some angel of darkness God sent to confront me for my sins? Thanks but no thanks, God. I’ve already got Laura.
Dad walks up behind me, whistling. He drops a hand on my shoulder. “I invited Veena over for dinner.”
“I’ll see you at school tomorrow,” I mumble to Corndog. My face feels hotter than a supernova.
He glances at Dad and Veena, then gives me a quick smile. “Thanks for the chick flick.”
Once he’s gone, Dad claps his hands together and looks at me. “So what’s for dinner?”
“Oh, um…” I say. I hadn’t really thought about dinner yet. I glance at my watch. It’s 6:00 p.m., and normally I’ve started cooking by now. Veena narrows her eyes at Dad. I guess he invited her over for dinner and failed to mention that his daughter makes most of the meals.
“I love cooking,” I explain, not wanting to embarrass my father. “I accidentally fell asleep. I’ll start making dinner now.” I nervously play with my hair as I head into the kitchen. Pasta is a good, fast option. I don’t have time to make a roast or anything. I could toss a salad to go with it. I grab a pot from the wall and begin filling it with water.
Brian hasn’t called all day. Didn’t that time in the closet mean anything to him? Obviously not.
I’m shutting off the water when Dad enters the kitchen. “Forget cooking. Let’s go out for a change, okay?”
Ryan said he has a paper due tomorrow (can you say “excuse”?), so it’s just me, Dad, and Mystery Woman Veena at Davy Crockett’s Roadhouse. I like this place because they serve peanuts by the bucket, and I can eat a bucket load of peanuts because my diet depends on lots of protein.
I crack open a few and line eight peanuts up across my bread plate. I’ll savor them one by one.
“Veena’s a nurse,” Dad says, touching her hand.
She blushes. Is she embarrassed of her job? Or because Dad is coming on way strong? Since when does Dad come on to anybody? He hasn’t dated since…since…ever? Since Mom.
“I work at the Murfreesboro Regional Medical Center,” she says, avoiding my eyes.
Dad rattles peanuts in his fist like a pair of dice. “And Parker is a senior at Hundred Oaks. She’s going to Vanderbilt next year.”
“Vanderbilt? Really?”
“She’s valedictorian too,” Dad adds, smiling and popping a peanut in his mouth.
I’m pleased that Dad is proud of me, but Veena looks way surprised. How humiliating. But then I remember: she doesn’t know me. She has no right to judge me. Is that why she agreed to come out with us—to judge me? But on the other hand, all the evidence I’ve given as to my personality involves me hanging out with two different guys on the same day. One in a janitor’s closet, one in my room. I rub my eyes. This isn’t what I wanted for myself. Maybe I was meant to be a sinner. Maybe that’s all I’ll ever be. Maybe Laura’s right.
A good person wouldn’t lust after a teacher. Lonely or not.
Veena takes a greasy roll from the bread basket and butters it up. Saliva forms in my mouth as I stare at the bread. I could have one bite, right? No, I shouldn’t.
“Are you coming to Forrest Sanctuary now?” I ask Veena.
She sips her water, then nods. “Yes. I just moved here from New York and don’t really know anyone except for people at the hospital. But I’ve always gone to church, so here I am.” She shrugs and blushes again. It gives her dark skin a rosy touch.
“I’m glad you came,” Dad replies. He touches her hand again. “Excuse me, I’ll be right back.” He stands and heads toward the restrooms.
I eat the first of my eight peanuts, savoring the salt.
Veena takes a bite of roll, and after swallowing, she whispers, “Don’t worry. I won’t say anything to your father about this morning.”
I find her eyes. They are kind but questioning.
She continues, “The man you were with…he seemed older.”
I don’t respond. I concentrate on peanut #2. I want to eat it in peace.
“It’s none of my business, I know. And I’m one to talk…your father must be over ten years older than me…I’m 29…I just wanted to let you know I won’t say anything, okay?” she says.
“Okay, thank you,” I whisper. “Nothing happened, just so you know.”
She pauses. “So, Vanderbilt?”
“Yes, I got in early admission.” I say it with a strong, proud voice.
She smiles. “Good school. I didn’t get into their medical program. I’m jealous.”
“I studied hard.”
“I guess I didn’t study hard enough.” She laughs, sipping her water, and I join in laughing.
I eat peanut number two and smile at Veena as I chew. She’s very pretty and slim. I love her black curls, and it looks like she knows how to use an eyelash curler. Her full lips are painted a bronze-ish color.
Dad hustles up and slides into the booth next to her. “What did I miss?” he asks, putting his napkin back on his lap.
“None of your business,” Veena replies. “Girl talk.”
I pop peanut number three in my mouth and think: don’t mess this up, Dad! She’s pretty nice.