Kat looked at me and smirked. “How about later you show me these naked baby pictures, and I’ll determine for myself what I’m in for.”
She was testing me to see if I’d bolt. What she didn’t know was that the idea of marriage and kids with her didn’t scare me. What did scare me was if she wasn’t going to be around long enough for us to get to our forever. I stood my ground and gave her a half smile. “You, me, and naked baby photos will be later. Right now I have some questions for you, Dad.” I turned my attention to him. “What’s with all of the curtains? It looks like a woman came through here and gave it the Midas touch.”
He set his glass down on the counter and said, “That’s because a woman did. And that woman will be here in about an hour for you to meet.”
Slightly shocked, even though I knew this was coming, I asked, “Are you even going to tell me her name before she gets here?”
“Nope.”
My mouth dropped. “Are you kidding?”
“No, I’m not. You and Kat can meet her when she gets here.” He came towards me and put his hand on my shoulder. “Listen, son, I know she’s not your mother, and she’s certainly not going to try to be. But I haven’t dated anybody since your mom. This one… well, she sorta took me by surprise.” He gave me an honest smile. “Give her a chance, okay? You’ll like her. And she’s making me happy.” He clapped me on the back a few times before he walked out of the kitchen, leaving me standing there with my thoughts.
So there was a woman in my dad’s life. He said she was making him happy. That’s all that mattered at the end of the day, right? Looking around the place, I remembered how dark it had been the last time I was here. My dad hadn’t spoken much and we had just sort of existed in the same house together. Now, it felt like there was new life behind these walls. Dad was smiling more than I’d ever seen him smile, and he simply wanted me to accept this new woman. Yeah, I could give him that. It might be strange having her here, but if he liked her this much, I was sure I would too.
Now, looking across the kitchen, my new life was watching me with those hazel eyes. “What are you looking at?” I taunted her.
“Oh, just wondering if your butt now is as small as it was when you were two.”
I chuckled. “Feisty little girl. Come here!” I darted towards her as she squealed and took off running.
“Damn, Alice that was some good potato salad.” I leaned back in my lawn chair and rubbed my stomach. Kat giggled at me because I was trying to push it out, but couldn’t.
Dad came up behind me and slapped the back of my head. “Language, boy.”
Alice clucked at both of us. “Give me a break, Thomas, your mouth is worse than his. And I’m glad you enjoyed it.”
I’d finally learned what Dad’s new girlfriend’s name was. Turns out I liked her. She was shorter than my mom was, and had fairer skin, but I could see some similarities between the two. Both were inviting and open to everybody they met. Both had a permanent smile glued to their face, like the world was always telling them a funny joke. And both were head over heels for my dad. Any reservations I might have had prior to meeting her were now gone. I approved, and I had no doubts that my mom would have too. She would have wanted him to find happiness again.
“When do you think you’re going to teach me how to make it?” my dad asked Alice.
“Make what?” she said in her singsong voice.
“The potato salad.”
“Oh, heavens, probably never.” She batted her eyelashes at him. “This recipe has been in my family for years. You have to prove you’re sticking material before they trust you with something like that.”
Kat laughed. “Golden potato salad. Hmmm… never heard of food being held with such high regard.”
“Oh, honey, you can lure any man in with a decent meal and a pretty smile.”
She sounded so sweet and southern, I started to think that even I was falling for her. “Well, you’ve got me. Now can I have some more, please?”
“Of course, hand me your plate.” She dished me some more and passed it back.
Dinner went on for about an hour while we chatted, teased, and sucked down our food and drinks. It was really humid outside today, but we still chowed down out on the deck Dad had repainted. Even with the typical Texas heat, I’m not sure today could have been more perfect.
The sun was beginning to set in the sky, and the fireworks were going to be going off in about thirty minutes. Kat ran inside to get me another beer and a Mike’s Hard Lemonade for herself. Dad and Alice had ended up heading into town to watch the fireworks from the park. I’d pulled some lawn chairs out into the front yard so we could see the lights through the big oak trees. Kat came out with her hands full.