Page 29 of Antagonist

Fletcher:Is that a yes? You can be in charge if you want.

Harrison:Stop it!

Fletcher:Stop what?

I shake my head at the photo that follows: a selfie of him with an angel’s halo around his head. I save the picture and reply.

Harrison:Everyone knows the person in charge is really the person who allows someone else to be in charge.

Fletcher:And this is why we’ll work perfectly together.

I unfold the paper and take my pen out to add my answer. I take a photo and send it to him.

His smile sends me off-kilter. I can’t remember the last time I saw someone smile at me like that. And I don’t think he knows he’s doing it.

Which is worse.

Far worse.

9

FLETCHER

“Have you picked one yet, buddy?”I ask George after signaling the server to give us a few more minutes.

“I can’t decide, Daddy. I want blueberries, but I don’t like maple syrup, and I want chocolate chips, but not with the blueberries.”

He sighs as if he’s trying to solve the biggest problem in the world. I could point out that he could pick two different pancakes, one with blueberries and one with chocolate chips, but this is my fiercely independent child. He’ll figure it out.

Nona, the diner’s namesake, waves at me, raising a freshly brewed pot of coffee. I blow her a kiss because I really could kiss her right now.

“Here’s your coffee, my dear.” She places a cup of steaming black goodness in front of me and then ruffles George’s hair.

“You take your time, George. These are very important decisions.” She leans closer, whispering, “I thought you should know that we have that chocolate spread you like.”

George puts his hands on his head and groans. “That’s worse. Now I want all of them.”

Nona winks at him and pretends to look around before saying, “How about I ask the chef to make you three small pancakes with your favorite toppings? Then you won’t have to pick.”

“Really?” George asks with the brightest smile. “Can I do it, Daddy?”

I raise both hands. “That’s between you and Nona.”

He clasps his hands together and confidently places his order.

One chocolate chip pancake with whipped cream, one blueberry pancake with lemon juice and sugar on top, and one vanilla pancake with the hazelnut chocolate spread.

“Can I get you anything, honey?” Nona asks me.

“I’ll have your veggie omelet since I’ll probably end up finishing his very sugary dinner,” I say. George has a very balanced and healthy diet, so once a month, I let him get whatever he wants from Nona’s. “Can you keep me topped up with coffee, and he’ll have a large ice water.”

“Gotcha. I’ll look after you boys, as usual.”

“Thank you, Nona.”

She puts her order notepad in her pocket and leaves us.

“So, what do you want to do this weekend?” I ask George.