Chapter 5

Anne walks into Abbey’s bedroom and sits on her bed, “Time to wake up, sleepy head”

“Good morning Grandma”

“Your father is going to be at brunch after church, with his new girlfriend and her son. I hope that is okay.”

“His new girlfriend? What happened to him and Mary? They got a divorce? Where have I been? Oh man”

“Yes, honey. They have been separated for a couple of months now.”

“And he already has a serious girlfriend? Wow he really doesn’t waste any time huh” Abbey gets up, and walks into the bathroom. She is still in shock from him and Mary breaking up. She has been around pretty much since Abbey was born. Abbey pulls a sun dress out of her closet, throws it on and heads downstairs. “Okay, I am ready Grandma”

While everyone is singing and praising God, Abbey is thinking about her father, and what she is going to say to him. He could have told her about the divorce and new girlfriend. He should have filled her in on his life.

 

After church, Abbey and Anne head to Cracker Barrel for brunch. They wait for a half hour or so, and decided to get a table thinking he was not going to come. Abbey’s stomach is still in knots when she sees her father walking in holding a woman’s hand. She is actually pretty, good job Dad Abbey thinks to herself. Her thoughts preoccupied her so much she didn’t realize the guy walking next to them, it was Tristan. Oh, crap. It figures. Her heart drops to her stomach as she smiles and gives her Father a hug and he introduces everyone and they all take their seats.

Abbey and Tristan share a glance and awkward smile. Tristan holds his stare a bit longer as Abbey quickly looks back at her menu.  “Grandma could you order me the southern special with bacon please? I need to use the restroom”

“Why don’t you just wait another minute? The waitress should be right over”

“Yeah, okay” Abbey impatiently waits for the waitress to come back and take their orders. As soon as she places her order she grabs her bag and bolts to the bathroom to call Melissa.

“Mel! You are not going to believe who my Dads new girlfriends kid is, Tristan!”

“I knew he looked familiar! Ha-ha well aren’t you in a pickle”

“Ha-ha, yeah... well I got to go, bye” Abbey puts her phone away and starts to head back to the table when she sees Tristan walking towards her.

“Hey beautiful”

“Hey… so did you know who I was when you hit on me? Did you know I was his daughter?”

“No, even if I did, that wouldn’t have stopped me anyways. There is no denying we have chemistry, it was obvious at first glance”

“Yeah so we are attracted to each other, big deal. It’s not like anything can happen now. ”

“Oh no? Says who? Look, I don’t know how serious our parents are about each other, and right now I don’t really give a s**t. I met this amazing girl the other night, and nothing is stopping me from being with her.

“Tristan I think you are taking this situation the wrong way. You are cute and all; but I am not looking for a relationship, especially not with you” Abbey starts to walk away when Tristan pushes her back into the woman’s bathroom and follows her in.

Tristan pushes her up against the wall, and grabs her face and kisses her passionately. Abbey tries to push him away but is soon overpowered by the moment.  The intensity is building up and suddenly Abbey pulls away “S**t, we have to get back! Leave in a minute, so we don’t go back together”

They both make it back to the table, as the food is arriving. Perfect timing Abbey thinks to herself, she just worked up quite the appetite.

“So, Abs how is school? Have you heard from Brad?”

“School is good, I am excited for senior year, well actually I can’t wait for it to be over so I can go to college, and I haven’t talked to Brad in a few weeks. Last I heard he is sharing an on campus apartment with his girlfriend and working at Wegmans. So, Dad where did you and Amy meet?”

“We met through mutual friends, Amy is Bobs ex wife.”

“Uncle Bob?”

“Honey, you don’t have to call him Uncle Bob anymore that was just when you were young, now he is just your dad's old friend, Bob.”

“But she is his… um… How did you?...” Abbey wipes the disgusted look off of her face and looks at her grandmother, who is giving her a ‘just drop it’ look. “I mean, I am glad you are happy, Dad”

“Thanks Honey. So how is Shaun? Did he propose yet?” This question seems to wake Tristan up from his food coma, because now he is glaring at Abbey awaiting her response.

“Actually, Dad… Shaun and I broke up last year. He cheated on me with a good friend of mine. We are still friends though.”

“Oh honey, I am sorry”

“It’s cool. I am fine, actually. It has been a while since we broke up, and keeping him as a friend has helped” Abbey glances up at Tristan who smiles at her. She gives him a half smile and looks down at her plate.

Amy decides she wants to join in on the conversation “So, Abbey would you like to go shopping with me later? I would love the chance to get to know you better!”

“Ma, don’t drag an innocent girl along on one of your eight hour shopping sprees, I am sure she has more important things to do today, don’t you New-uh I mean Abbey?” Tristan winks at Abbey.

“Actually, Amy I would love to go.” Abbey feels a pinch on her knee, which causes her to jump, she shoots him a look and he winks again.

“Okay, suit yourself. She never stops…” Tristan says with a sly smile followed by a slightly evil snicker.

“Oh would you just hush already Tristan?! Abbey I will pick you up in an hour or so?”

“Yeah, sure that works” Abbey walks over to her Dad, “So, Dad will I see you again?”

“Actually, do you want to spend a week in Key West and stay on the beach?”

“Oooh, Really? That would be awesome!” Abbey is genuinely excited about spending a week with her father. “I love you, Dad”

“I love you too, Angel” Brian has always called her Angel. As far back as she can remember that has been her name to him. She hasn’t heard him call her that in a while, and hearing him say it made a tear fall down her cheek. Abbey jumps in his arms and lays her head on his shoulder.

Trying to end the brunch on a different note, Anne says “It was great seeing you all. Maybe next week you can join us for church as well?” Tristan lets out a snicker, and Abby quickly elbows him in the stomach. “Alright, love you guys. C’mon Abbey let’s go”

“It was nice meeting you, Tristan, Daddy I will call you this week! And I will see you later, Amy.”

Making their way to the car, Anne breaks the silence “Well dear, it seems that you and your father are starting to patch things up”

“I don’t know about that, but I am trying to be okay with how things have changed. I miss having him in my life. I am excited to go away with him in a few weeks and have some real father/daughter bonding time!”

“Good, I am glad. You know, Abbey. You really have grown up a lot in this past year. I see a lot of maturity in you.”

Abbey smiles awkwardly at her Grandmother and grabs her phone. She has a missed message from Tristan

“You are so f*****g sexy, and I cannot wait to taste you again”

Abbey is shocked and slightly turned on by the message and decides to play back.

“You are so bad… I like it”

Abbey lets out a small squeal of excitement and throws her phone back in her bag. Tristan is gorgeous and completely wrong for her, and they have to stay a secret and all this excites her and she can’t wait to see him again.