Wild Card

by Elsie Silver

Eventually our clock runs out. He boards his flight, and as I watch him leave, I see the way he glances back over his shoulder, brows drawn low as he searches for me. A thrill races down my spine at the stoic parting wave he gives me. And I tell myself it’s just goodbye for now and not forever.

West: When are you back? We suck at bowling without you. We need our daddy back.

LOVE THE BANTER

Until Gwen sat her fine ass in the chair across from me and made herself at home. She made me feel better.

To the outside observer, it would appear that I’m staring at the guy I showed up here with. But they would be wrong. I’m staring at his dad.

yassss... give me

Maybe it was the way he looked at me or the way he listened to me. Hell, it could have been the way we laughed together. Or maybe it was the spark I felt when his hand enveloped mine. I’ve wondered if it was one of those moments in the universe where all the stars align—where every little choice made in life led us to that airport on that exact night.

Clyde yammers on about the jet trails in the air, spraying the mountain with chemicals, poisoning the water and the animals. He suspects this is the reason his kidneys are in such rough shape. Chem trails.

Amen, brother.

It taps straight into every hurt I carry with me. I grew up feeling like I had to bend over backward not to anger my father. Seen but not heard is what he requested of me.

its sad how much Gwen and I are the same.

“Quit gawking at his ass,” Clyde whispers, making me snap my gaze away. “I’m not. I’m looking at his back.” He giggles. This grizzled old man giggles. Like a little girl.

never.

“Almost as impressive as the depth of my daddy issues and the uniform kink my upbringing sent me out into the world with.”

She just laughs. She knows. And all it does is egg me on because I am a glutton for punishment.

yessss daddddy we know.