Page 4 of Second Helpings (Sweet Treats 4)

“This is cool,” I say. “But what is it?”

My dad nudges the box to me again.

“You missed part of the gift.”

I peer inside and reach in to pull out what looks like a remote control.

“Oh, cool. A remote and an egg. But what does it do? I don’t get it.”

Tyler looks a little embarrassed, but then he sits up straight and composes himself.

“It’s a vibrator, sweetheart. You put the egg in yourself, and then use the remote to turn it on. It’s not too big so it should slip in just fine, even for a young girl like yourself.”

Immediately, my face goes beet red.

“Oh my god, you got me a vibrator, Dad? I mean, we’re close but we’re not that close.”

Tyler merely shakes his head.

“It’s okay, sweetheart. I don’t mind because this is part of my job as a father. I want you to be ready for the world because when the time comes, it’ll be easier that way. Your first time will be more enjoyable and feel better if you’re prepped on the inside.”

Prepped on the inside? I can hardly believe my dad just said those words, but I nod and slap a bright smile on my face.

“Oh cool, thanks Tyler. I appreciate the gift.”

But my dad’s not done yet.

“Sweetheart, there’s one more thing. This is a top of the line, cutting edge egg, so it works through wireless. You actually have to set it up through your laptop first. The manufacturer provided instructions,” he says, reaching into the box to pull out a pamphlet, “and it should be fairly straightforward.”

I swipe the pamphlet from him and stuff it in my pocket before he can say more.

“Thanks Dad!” I say brightly. “I love the gift. In fact, I’m going to try it out after you head to Layla’s place.”

Tyler looks at me hard, but then his shoulders relax.

“Okay, sweetheart. And again, I’m glad that we’re so close. Conversations like this are difficult, but I want to be the one you come to when you have questions. Got it?”

“Got it!” I say with another chirpy smile. Quickly, I stuff the gift back into the box and push it to the side of the table. The box looks so conspicuous sitting there, but I smile again and try to appear calm.

“I love the gift,” I say again. “Totally appreciate it.”

My dad looks more relaxed now and takes a big bite of bread before dunking it into his stew.

“I’m glad, honey. I want you to be happy because you’re my best girl. Life gets complicated as you get older, and I just want this to be a prelude to what happens next.”

I stare at him, my spoon midway to my mouth.

“Why? What happens next?”

Tyler looks flustered, but he recovers quickly.

“Nothing,” he says. “It’s all good, honey. Now that I’ve finished this stew,” he says, sopping up the last of the brown gravy with his bread, “I should get going. Are you going to be okay home alone tonight?”

He stands at the table, and I rise as well. Tyler heads over to the front door and grabs his jacket off the hook before slipping it onto his broad shoulders.

“Of course,” I say, leaning into his embrace for a hug. “Everything’s fine, Daddy. Don’t you worry about a thing.”

I feel like my dad holds me close for a second too long, but maybe it’s just my imagination. When we pull away, there’s a flicker of emotion in his dark blue eyes, but it disappears just as quickly as it appeared.

“Okay sweetheart,” he says, pulling the door open. “I’m off to Layla’s then. Have a good time with your toy tonight.”

I stand at the open door and wave as Tyler gets onto his motorcycle.

“Of course, Daddy! You too!”

My dad pulls the bike onto the street and then waves one last time before zooming off into the distance. I watch as his massive form grows small and then shut the door with a deep breath.

That was definitely a strange conversation. Yes, Tyler and I are close, but that was a weird conversation even for us. I basically said goodbye to him as he left to hook-up with his girlfriend, whereas he just gave me a vibrator as a gift. It’s not even my birthday! And why would he give me something like this anyways?

But I know my dad has always taken fatherhood seriously, and this is just the latest incarnation of his efforts. He wants to do a good job, and he wants to protect me while also introducing me to the world. I get it. Tyler has to play the role of mom and dad at once, and it’s not an easy load to bear.

But now, I’m all alone in our house, and my eyes swing involuntarily to the brown box still lying on the kitchen table. Do I really want to try it? Why not? It could be fun, and just the thing to help me relax after that bizarre interaction.

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