Page 6 of Grace's Daddy

I stare at the refrigerator for a few seconds before turning back to him. I have no reason not to reveal what’s in my fridge. He’s given me no reason not to trust him. Besides, he’s seen nearly all of my secrets. Why should I care if he finds out what I like to drink?

“I have some sodas and juice,” I tell him.

He nods toward the fridge, brows lifted as if to ask if it’s okay if he opens it.

“You can get them.”

He pulls the door open and looks inside. I know what’s in there. Juice boxes that have only marginally seen juice, flavored sodas, and milk. I’m not very adventurous.

“Orange soda. I haven’t had that in a long time.” He pulls one out. “What would you like, sweet girl?”

“A cherry juice box.”

He grabs one, chuckling as he looks at the back of the box. “You realize it’s a misnomer to call these juice boxes, right?”

I shrug.

“So, I guess you eat Lunchables a lot…”

I giggle. “For lunch. Duh.”

He laughs. “What do you eat for dinner?”

I glance at my freezer. “Frozen meals.”

“Ah.” He doesn’t look. “I guess cooking isn’t something you enjoy.”

“Not really.”

“And your pretend Daddy lets you have soda?” he teases.

I hold my finger up to my lips. “Shhh. He doesn’t know,” I whisper. This banter is fun.

Eli laughs harder. “I’m super jealous of him. He gets to spend a lot of time with you. Meanwhile I’ve been snubbed for all these months. You’ve only spoken to me three times, and you never make eye contact.” He sets a hand over his heart as if he’s wounded.

“He’s not real, silly,” I tell him, grinning. I don’t know when I’ve ever felt this light. A half an hour ago, I was so heavy I wanted the Earth to swallow me whole. Now I’m nearly skipping.

“Oh.” Eli looks stunned. “So then I don’t have to fight him off? He’s not going to show up here in a while and punch my lights out for honing in on his girl?”

I cover my mouth as I giggle. “He wouldn’t be able to fight you anyway. You’re much larger than him.”

Eli pulls a chair out for me at the table and helps me sit before stacking my coloring books on the other end, getting them out of the way. Meanwhile, he keeps talking. “Are you saying I’m fat?”

I giggle again. “No. You’re taller and have more muscles. He’s just ordinary.”

“What’s his name?”

“Daddy. Duh.”

Eli’s entire body shakes as he chuckles. “Of course. Silly me.” He heads for the counter and returns with the box of pizza before making another trip with our drinks and plates.

My stomach growls when he opens the box. It looks delicious. I never order pizza because I can’t eat more than a few slices, and then I’d have too much left over. Plus I’d have to face the delivery guy.

Eli puts a slice on the pink plate and sets it in front of me. “Do you want me to cut it up?”

“No, Sir.” But I kind of like the idea. I like watching him move around my apartment.

“Okay, but wait a minute to pick it up. It’s hot. Blow on it first.”