Pb & J: Two

Dinner with dad.

 

 

 

- Two -
Heart attacks dad had.

 

Zoë didn’t go to the winter dance, and mom didn’t care.

 

Zoë was ramblings on about respect and privacy, on the phone to dad in the kitchen.

 

I guess Jonas was snooping in her bedroom again.

 

Mom said she can’t have a lock on her door until she gets one on her mouth.

 

That means Zoë needs to have a huge peice of humble pie.

 

Dad’s taking us out to dinner at the pier, and Zoë had an ear full for him.

 

“Dad, I told you a hundred times. I don’t do seafood.”

 

Zoë says with her hands on her waist looking at the big sign that says 'Pete’s Seafood House'.

 

“We always come here.”

 

I jog her memory.

 

She leers her eyes at me like she was to jump me.

 

“I don’t do seafood.”

 

She repeats herself slowly as if I am a child.

 

“I like it dad.”

 

Jonas says licking his lips.

 

“That’s my boy.”

 

Dad pats Jonas head.

 

“May I help you?”

 

A slender teenage boy with a crab hat asks us.

 

“Do you have anything here that doesn’t involve seafood.”

 

Zoë asks looking at her menu disgusted.

 

“Water.”

 

The boy laughs.

 

We all laugh behind him.

 

“Dad, can’t we go to the restaurant across the street from your job?”

 

Zoë whines.

 

“We could go there next week Zoë.”

 

He points to a plate on his menu.

 

“Could I replace the fries for garlic bread?”

 

He asks the boy.

 

“Yeah. Is that what you want? The seafood linguini?”

 

The boy asks getting ready to write it down on his small notebook.

 

Dad nods, and hands the boy the menu.

 

“And what drink would you want with that?”

 

Dad looks at a paper box in the center of the table with all the drinks listed on it.

 

“I’m fine with water.”

 

He sits back feeling pleased with his answer.

 

“Okay.”

 

The boy says, and jots it down quickly on to his notebook.

 

“And for you?”

 

He looks up at me.

 

I look down at the laminated menu in my hands.

 

“I like your hat.”

 

Jonas compliments him.

 

“Thanks.”

 

The boy says shyly touching it with his right hand as if it is to tip over.

 

“I’ll have the Crab-Stuffed Fillets.”

 

I agree with myself after debating with the Crab Cakes.

 

I close my eyes, and try to remember my great aunts.

 

I open my eyes, and Zoë is looking at me.

 

“Have I mentioned you're-”

 

“Many times.”

 

I answer knowing the end of the question.

 

I look back at the boy, and see that he is still looking at me.

 

“With what drink?”

 

He asks as if he asked it many times before.

 

He probably had, but Zoë’s voice must have drowned it.

 

“Oh, sorry. Coke will be fine.”

 

I blushed.

 

He nods, and adds to his notebook.

 

“And you?”

 

He looks at Jonas who is focusing on another table of boys the same age as him.

 

“Jonas.”

 

Dad calls him.

 

“I wish I had that sword.”

 

He says looking at his kids menu.

 

“Maybe mom will get it for you if you ask.”

 

I say giving him hope.

 

“Maybe if you acted less difficult, then she would buy it for you.”

 

Zoë suggests bringing my hope down.

 

“I’m not difficult.”

 

He says in denial.

 

“Yes you are. You're like a loose puppy.”

 

She disagreed.

 

“No I’m not!”

 

He yells getting upset.

 

“Come on guys. We're here to have fun. To get out of the house, and lighten up.”

 

Dad says making a goofy face.

 

Jonas, and I giggle.

 

Zoë rolls her eyes, and looks back to her menu.

 

“Now what do you want Jonas? Don’t keep this good boy waiting.”

 

Dad picks up the menu from the table, and hands it to Jonas.

 

“Um… Can I have this?”

 

He asks dad pointing to a plate on his menu.

 

“Whatever you’d like. I’m buying.”

 

His laugh is similar to the one Santa Clause would have.

 

“Okay. I’ll get the crab mini burgers with macaroni, and cheese.”

 

Jonas says looking back at the two boys playing with their swords.

 

“And to drink?”

 

The boy asks waiting for Jonas to look back at him with an answer.

 

“He likes root beer.”

 

I answer for him.

 

“Okay.”

 

The boy nods, and scribbles it down.

 

Zoë growls irritated.

 

“Did you find what you were looking for?”

 

The boy asks her.

 

She looks at him with fire eyes.

 

“No.”

 

“I hear the shrimp, and crab lettuce wraps are good.”

 

He recommended.

 

She ignores him, and closes her menu.

 

“I guess I’ll get shrimp kabobs minus the shrimp.”

 

She hands him the menu.

 

“And to drink?”

 

She pulls out her cell phone from her purse, and looks down at it.

 

“Water.”

 

She mumbles as her fingers rapidly beats the buttons to her cell.

 

“Okay. You're food will be with you momentarily.”

 

He walks away to the kitchen.

 

Dad looks at Zoë unpleased.

 

”Zoë please put your phone away. Cell phones are prohibited at this table.”

 

She lifts her head, and her eyes searched around the restraint.

 

“I don’t see a sign anywhere that says that.”

 

“The signs right here.”

 

Dad points to himself.

 

She rolls her eyes, and slides her cell phone back into her purse.

 

He sighs with a smile, and looks at all of us.

 

“So, how are all of you? How’s your mother?”

 

“Why don’t you ask her?”

 

Zoë asks him pissed off about having to put her cell away.

 

He looks at me.

 

“How’s school Jules?”

 

“It’s okay.”

 

I say folding my napkin into quarters.

 

“Did your report cards come yet?”

 

He looks at the both of us.

 

“Not yet.”

 

I answer.

 

“It’s December, dad. The semesters not even half way yet.”

 

Zoë muttered.

 

The boy came with our drinks, and handed them out to us.

 

Zoë’s cell rings, and she looks at her purse.

 

Dad stops, and looks at her.

 

“I know. I know. I’m not going to answer it.”

 

She looks at him.

 

“How’s your coke?”

 

Dad asks me.

 

“Fine.”

 

I say sipping on it.

 

He leans into me, and hides his face behind the paper cube on the table from Zoë.

 

“How’s your mom?”

 

He asks quietly.

 

“She’s fine.”

 

I say matching the tone of my voice with his.

 

“She’s trying to make me hate her.”

 

Zoë interrupts.

 

Dad sits up.

 

“Don’t say that.”

 

“Dad I’m a senior now. I need freedom to go where ever I please.”

 

“And do what?”

 

He sips on his water.

 

“And do senior things! I can’t just pass all of it up Dad. I want to have fun, and attend everything to its full existent.”

 

She protests.

 

“Okay. Okay. I’ll talk to your mom.”

 

“She’s making it really easy for me not to love her.”

 

“Hey, I want none of that. Okay? Your mother is a good person, and she wants nothing but good things for you guys. You hear me?”

 

He says almost braking.

 

We noticed that.

 

Jonas is still memorized with the boy’s sword, but Zoë, and I knew he still would die for her if it ever came to that point.

 

“I have to use the bathroom.”

 

Zoë says to me.

 

I stand up, and let her out of the corner of her seat.

 

Dad watches her walk to the bathroom, and looks at me.

 

“Do you think I upseted her?”

 

“No. Zoë’s just like that these days.”

 

“I guess she’s not a little girl anymore.”

 

He lifts his shoulders.

 

She’s not much of anything anymore…

Author's Note

This chapters a bit longer then the last.

:) Hope you like it.

Reviews

[Travis Lawrence]

I like how you capture irritability and show how destructive it can be to conversation and relations. You're also good at revealing the right amount of exposition, and I'm interested in these characters and want to learn more about them. This reminds me of a play I saw last week at a local theater.

Still though there are those icky grammar mistakes. For example restaurant was twice spelled "restraint". It's not like I really care too much, I mean, I can infer what you were trying to say, but that stuff can confuse some. Good writing isn't just about what is said, it must get through the way you intend. I could clean it up for you if you'd like?

Nonetheless, I'm looking forward to reading more of this story!

-Travis

[a Messenger]

A continuation of a very good write. Your story line is very good and your characters interesting.
I have to agree with Travis about the spelling and grammar.

[forfila]

I do like it Erin, you seem to be very connected to all parts, its very good..
=)

[christina]

i liked it need to read the first one though.