million times.”
Lauren lowered her head, clearly hiding a bout of laughter.
“Aww, Dad. Come on! Yes, I cleaned everything up, all right? Geesh!” The boy blushed, clearly embarrassed. “Anyway.” Aiden scratched at his nose, a little nervous gesture he’d started doing as of late. “I actually asked Dad about going to Mason’s a few days ago,” he explained to Lauren, turning his attention back her way. “He said no, but suddenly changed his mind today, tellin’ me it was okay.”
“Yes, I heard him speak to you while we were driving over here about some place you wanted to go. I just didn’t know the specifics. I hope you have fun.”
“Yeah, I’m sure I will, but I know Dad just agreed to it so he can get rid of me tonight. He wants you. Alone.” The boy glared at him with venom in his eyes, the words no doubt payback for the smelly room jab. Lauren gasped then burst out laughing as the teen walked away, practically bouncing on his tippy toes and with not a care in the world.
“Thanks, Aiden. Smooooth. That was real nice of you to say, boy.”
Said boy shrugged, pleased with himself.
“It’s true.” Aiden tossed his bag on the counter, opened the refrigerator door, and picked a Capri Sun. He jammed the straw into the hole and began to suck so hard, his cheeks practically caved in. Just then, a honk sounded outside.
“That must be Mason’s mom.”
His son squeezed the juice pouch, getting the last of the liquid, then tossed it in the trashcan. Grabbing his duffle bag, he headed towards the front door with pep in his step.
“A! Hold up, there.” Aries approached him. “Remember the rules. Follow them.”
“Yes, Dad.” Aiden sighed.
“What are they? Recite them to me.” Aries crossed his arms and looked down at the miniature version of himself.
“No cussing in front of his mom. Do as—”
“No cussing, period. Go on.”
“Do as his mom says. Go to bed when I’m supposed to and if she offers me somethin’ to eat and I don’t like it, just be nice and pretend to eat it. Dad, I already had dinner. That pizza we had left over from last night.” He pointed towards the kitchen. Mason’s mom was a notoriously bad cook, and often used her children and their friends as guinea pigs for new recipes.
“I know, so just tell ’er you already ate but if she offers you dessert, you know what to do.”
“What is he supposed to do?” Lauren interjected. They both stared at her for a moment as if they’d almost forgotten she was there. Aries placed his hands on his son’s shoulders while looking into his eyes.
“Just be polite. Take a few bites, say, ‘Mmm! Mmm! Mmm!’” Aries tossed his head back and rubbed his stomach. “‘This sure is good!’, and then, when she’s not looking, fold it up tight in a napkin, like the stuffin’ for a wonton, and toss that shit in the trash.”
“Aries, that’s terrible!” He swung around to look at her. “I can’t believe that’s the type of advice you are giving this poor child!” Lauren was laughing. She tried to sound stern and convincing, but failed miserably.
Aries opened the front door and waved at Mason, his brother, little sister and mom sitting in their copper-colored Toyota Highlander. He grabbed his boy and kissed the top of his head.
“Be good, champ. Go on, now.” Aiden galloped happily away, got in the SUV, and saluted before the car took off out the driveway. He closed and locked the door, then rubbed his hands together like a fly zooming towards a fresh pile of shit. Alone. I finally have her all alone…
He found her in the living room, looking out of his window. Her fingers curled against the soft fabric of the curtain. Pushing it open further, she peered out into the darkness.
“It’s a beautiful night, Aries. Looks like it might rain, too.”
He nodded in agreement as he took the final swig of his beer, tossed the bottle in the recycle bin, then reached for another in the refrigerator.
“So, I can make you some dinner?” he offered. “I’m not terribly hungry but I can order something. I don’t want you to cook, either. Let’s just relax.”
“That’s fine with me.” She yawned, checking out the few decorations he had about the room. “We can just nosh a little.” An abstract stone figurine he’d gotten from an ex-girlfriend sat on a small glass table. She bent down to take a better look at it.