Page 80 of Family Bonds: Alana & Brennan
Some things weren’t changing, that was for sure.
“Do you want to see my dance?” Becca asked.
“You’ve got a dance?” Rene asked. She was smiling, but it didn’t seem as genuine as it was when they welcomed her off the ferry.
“I’ve got a lot of dances. Daddy and I do. We make them up together. We can show them to you.”
“Why don’t you show me one of yours,” Rene said. “I don’t need to see your father dancing.”
Rene rolled her eyes when she added the last part. Becca didn’t notice and it was for the best.
“I’ll be back,” he said and walked to the kitchen to get a drink. He’d let the two of them talk some, but heard the music come on and his daughter giggling while she danced.
He pulled his phone out, wanting to text Alana, but knew it wasn’t the time or the place.
Maybe he wanted an encouraging word or a friendly voice rather than the flashbacks of dismissal that Rene always threw his way.
After he finished a glass of water, he returned to the living room. Rene was nearly finished eating, while Becca began another dance.
His ex didn’t seem all that entertained by it, but she was at least watching.
He reached for the bag once Rene stuffed the wrapper back in it.
“Do you want to open your gifts?” Rene asked.
Becca looked at him. “Can I, Daddy?”
“Sure,” he said. There was no reason not to. This visit was ten minutes in and already awkward as fuck. He didn’t want Becca to feel the tension in the air.
Rene pulled the gifts out of the bag and handed them over one by one while he went to the kitchen to get a garbage bag to put the paper in.
His daughter was squealing when he returned to the room to see a paint set just like the one she’d picked out to donate.
“I love painting and coloring,” Becca said. “I can do a picture for you.”
“I’d like that,” Rene said. “Why don’t you open the rest and then you can do that for me?”
Rene had gotten some thoughtful toys and two cute outfits. They were too big since she hadn’t asked for Becca’s sizes, but they’d get worn.
“Can we give Mom my gift now?” Becca asked.
“You got me a gift?” Rene asked. She looked surprised by it.
“I did,” Becca said. His daughter ran to the tree and grabbed it and brought it back. “I hope you like it.”
He grinned. It’s not like Becca even saw it; he’d had it wrapped before he picked her up.
Rene opened it and pulled the sweater out, then looked at him and nodded. “It’s pretty. Thanks.”
No big smile, but Becca ran to get a hug. “Can I draw you a picture now? I can use the crayons or the paint. What do you want?”
Rene looked at him. “Why don’t you draw me a picture with the crayons while your father and I talk?”
“Talk about what?” he asked.
“Just about Becca. Fill me in on her for the past six months.”
He frowned. He wanted to be sarcastic and ask why she was so interested now but wouldn’t do that in front of Becca.
