We held on for awhile then Dad said, “Okay, now that we’ve done the family reunion business, maybe we can talk about my daughter being kidnapped and stalked. I might want to know a little more about that.”
I disengaged from Mom and Uncle Tex, wiping the tears from my face with my hand, and turned to Dad. “Hank’s handling it,” I told him.
“Yeah. Tex told me,” Dad didn’t sound happy and he turned to Hank. “How ‘bout we talk?”
“Dad,” I butted in.
Dad interrupted me. “Tex tel s me these are good people and they know what they’re doin’. I believe him. But, Roxanne Gisel e Logan, you got cuts on your face and fear in the back of your eyes and I’m your goddamned f**kin’
father and I need to be briefed on this f**kin’ situation. You got me?”
I’d heard that tone before so I kept my mouth shut and nodded.
“Herb. Your language.”
Mom had heard that tone before too and she never kept her mouth shut.
Before Dad’s head exploded, I said, “Why don’t I make us some coffee?”
“I don’t want no coffee. I want a f**kin’ beer,” he turned to Hank. “Is there a bar around here?”
Hank looked at me then to my father. Then he said, his voice quiet, “There is but there’s also beer in the fridge.” voice quiet, “There is but there’s also beer in the fridge.” Dad regarded Hank. “Son, we need to talk away from the women. I got things to say and Trish’s ears can hear what’s happenin’ two doors down. You get what I’m sayin’
to you?”
“What do you have to say that I can’t hear, Herbert Logan?” Mom asked.
“I’m not leavin’ Roxie,” Hank ignored Mom and how he said what he said stated quite clearly that he was not.
Dad watched Hank a beat, then I saw him smile.
Oh shit.
I thought I was in trouble, official, definite, certifiable trouble but I realized that now I was real y in trouble.
Dad approved of Hank.
I knew he would but I didn’t know it’d make me feel al warm and squishy inside.
“I’l stay behind,” Uncle Tex offered.
Dad nodded and turned to Hank. “That work for you?” Hank didn’t look happy but he also nodded.
Then his eyes came to rest on me.
I heard his non-verbalized request and walked to him.
His arms came around me.
“We’l be quick,” he told me.
“Okay.”
“Lock the door and don’t open it to anyone,” Hank said.
“Okay,” I replied.
“The couch in the office pul s out into a bed. Your parents want to stay here, they’re welcome,” he went on.