Page 8 of Amelia's Daddy
He pulls out a small cardboard box, opens it, and sets it in front of me. It has chicken nuggets in it. “Littles do not stay alone on the island. They live a twenty-four-seven regressed lifestyle. They’re never left unattended.”
He holds up a few sauces. “I wasn’t sure what sauce you might like, so I grabbed three different ones.”
I scrunch up my nose. “Sauces are yucky.”
“Noted.”
I scoot forward on my seat, letting my legs swing. “Littles are never unattended?” That seems unattainable.
“Nope. Never.”
“What happens when their Daddy goes to work?”
“They go to daycare.”
“Oh…”
He hands me a carton of fries and takes a seat next to me. “Catsup?”
I shake my head.
“You eat all your foods without sauces, huh?”
“Yep. I’m kind of picky.” I don’t tell him exactly how picky I am. I rarely tell anyone that.
Noah sets a cup in front of me with a straw. “I got you lemon-lime soda. Is that okay?”
I grin. “It’s my favorite.” It’s the only soda I drink.
“That’s a relief.” He winks at me before pulling out a hamburger for himself and taking a huge bite, chewing and swallowing before he reaches for his soda.
“My friend Lacey moved to the island recently to be with her Daddy.”
“I know. Brian is one of my friends. He used to stay at my apartment here on the mainland when he visited. He was interested in Lacey for a long time before she finally really noticed him.”
“Yeah. She was too shy to really talk to Daddies. I’m so glad they finally got together. I don’t think she had a good home life.”
“She certainly did not. I’ve heard about her situation from Brian.”
I pick on one of my nuggets. “I hope she’s happy and safe now.”
He sets a hand on top of mine. “She’s very safe, Little one, and, from what I’ve seen, thriving and so happy.”
I smile. “Good. She’s a nice girl.”
“What about you? Do you think you’d thrive on the island?”
I shrug. “It doesn’t matter. I don’t have a Daddy to take me there.”
“What if you did?”
I nibble on the corner of my nugget. “That would be heavenly,” I whisper without looking up. It would be like a dream come true.
“You could certainly keep your job as a muralist if you wanted. Would you miss your waitressing job?”
I lift my gaze to meet his, scrunching up my face so tight it makes him laugh.
“I guess that’s ano.”