Page 92 of Just Trouble

“Creepy,” she says, stepping around me. She doesn’t leave though, just folds her arms across her chest, waiting.

“Allies, maybe,” I offer.

She shrugs. “Maybe.”

“The thing is that I don’t know anything about being a dad, seeing as I didn’t ever have one. And I don’t know much more about being an uncle, for the same reason.” I hold her gaze. “But I know how to be a friend.”

She gives me a side-eye. “You and me, friends? Don’t you think some people would assume that was a little twisted?”

“I suppose, though I don’t have any nefarious intentions. Do you really worry that much about what other people think?”

“Don’t you?”

“I worry about the opinions of people I care about. The rest of them can go to hell.”

She purses her lips, considering me and the possibilities. “You could be my non-dad.”

“Like a dad, but not quite.”

She nods. “Nothing twisted.”

“A Norman Rockwell non-dad,” I say and she nods. “All right. That works for me.”

She smiles, but she’s not amused. She’s showing me her snaggle tooth and points to it in case I miss it. “I need braces, non-dad.”

“Just jump right in and speak your mind,” I say and this time she really laughs.

“Well, why not? I have exactly nothing to lose.”

And now I grin because I know that feeling. “There is that.”

“Mom said you used to be a bad kid.”

“More like a rebel without a cause. Although come to think of it, I did have a cause.”

“Do you know who your dad is?”

“Yes. I’ve always known, but it never made any difference to anything.” I stop then correct myself. “Not any good difference, anyway.”

“Because he never admitted that you were his.”

“That’s it.”

She folds her arms across her chest. “Kind of like my dad.”

“See? Common ground.” I offer a fist and to my amazement, she bumps it with hers.

“Tell me something bad you did.”

“What, I’m supposed to inspire you?” I feign indignation and she giggles, looking younger than she has thus far.

“I need to calibrate you, on a scale from scumbag to guardian angel.”

“Right. Of course. Is this a non-dad credential?”

“If it isn’t, it should be.”

I like this kid. I like her enough that I wish shewasmy kid.

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