Page 82 of Taming a Menace

“You love saying that. I’m starting to wonder if you really hear me.”

“I do. I’ve heard everything you’ve had to say. After careful consideration of it all, I’m sitting right here going on this trip that I’m still nervous about, but I’m here,” she stated.

“You’re right. Thank you.”

“You’re welcome. I’m excited about going to the beach. How much longer do we have?”

“A little under an hour. We should be on the beach by two.”

“Yay,” she said, doing a little dance in her seat.

Making her happy made my day. It was crazy how I sat there thinking of what else I could do to make her smile today.

“You want to stop for food?” I quizzed.

“No, sir. I don’t want to be all bloated in my bathing suit.”

“Baby, you’re worried about the wrong thing. You’re going to look good no matter what.”

“Let you tell it,” she said, rolling her eyes.

“That’s all that should matter.”

“My opinion matters too. I don’t want to be fat and full on the beach. We can eat after.”

“Well I’m starving. As soon as we get to our exit, I’m getting something to eat. I hate to eat in front of you, but I would hate to fall out on you even more.”

“That would be evil. You know I’m hungry.”

“That’s why your ass needs to eat. I didn’t ask if you were hungry just to be asking. I’m hungry myself. If you were too, then we would have jumped off as soon as possible and grabbed something quick.”

“Fine let’s get something. You’re not supposed to eat less than thirty minutes before swimming.”

“I’m not worried about that because I’m not swimming anyway.”

“You suck! You have to swim with me,” she demanded.

“Lady, there are sharks in that water.”

“I thought you were the biggest shark.”

“On land. That is those people’s natural habitat. I have enough sense to know I’m no match for Jaws.”

She laughed. “And you called me scary.”

I shrugged. “Call it what you want. When we leave, I’m still gonna have all of my limbs.”

She giggled a little before leaning against the window. “We can only hope.”

“Let us pray.” I laughed.

“Ooo, Build A Burger. I’ve been wanting to try them.”

“Well, that’s where we’ll go.”

Fifteen

Iyla