"Come on, Dad, let's just go," Kate pleaded.
"But, Honey, I just want to talk to her!"
"She's not coming down, now let's just GO!"
Reluctantly, I backed out of my former driveway, knowing my ex was at one of the many windows, watching, enjoying this. Anything she could do to make my life miserable, she would, and seeing Katie and I argue would really be a treat.
We drove in silence, then I apologized again.
"Daddy, you just have to get over her and move on, find someone else."
"I AM over her, Baby, but at functions like this, you should have both your parents. We shouldn't let our problems affect your life."
Kate patted my hand on the stick shift, as you would to comfort a small child. "Okay, well, let's just forget about her and enjoy ourselves. I can't wait for you to meet my friends! A lot of their parents are single, too. Maybe you'll meet someone! Becca's mom is real sweet, but a little too hefty for your liking."
I looked over at my young college student, and smiled. She was so different from that bitch who carried her. So sweet and considerate, and bright! And look at her, curly brown hair, stuffed under a beat-up Yankee hat, no make-up, rumbled sweatshirt, jeans. And she still looked gorgeous! But, of course, I'm prejudiced.
"How do you know my 'likings'. We barely ever see each other."
"Oh, I see what you look at when we go to dinner. And they look back, Dad. You're a catch!"
I smiled. "Yeah, like an old rubber boot!"
She punched my arm, playfully. "Don't be saying anything bad about my Dad! Them's fightin' words!"
We both laughed, and I quickly forgot about the bitch. She went on excitedly about the Spring Family Get Together and Barbecue. At the conclusion of freshman year, students could move out of dorms and into their own apartments, a real coming-of-age thing, which I equated to being told by my dad that it was time to get a life, job, and place to live.
The hour's drive went quickly, the cool air blowing through the latest solution to a mid-life crisis, a Fire Engine Red 1968 Olds 442 with white convertible top, fully restored, and worth every penny of the twenty grand I paid for it. A classic, and Katie loved to ride in it, people gawking at the rumble the exhaust made.
The air was clean and refreshing, and I felt good for the first time in a month. I guess Kate was right, I wasn't in too bad a shape for forty-five, fairly trim from a steady diet of basketball, racquetball, softball, and an occasional dip in the pool. I'm just under six feet and weigh 175, not skinny but hardly fat. a flat stomach and well-defined features, I had even done some modeling before it got too gay for me. With just a touch of gray and a trim goatee, I guess I was presentable.
Katie rambled of names like Becca, and Josh, and Tiara, and Monie, and I just smiled, not knowing if some were even male or female.
Since the dorms were closed, we arrived at the hotel just off campus, grabbed our bags, and made our way to Reception.
"I'm sorry, sir, all I have is one-bedrooms," the pimply, squinting, clerk whined.
"But I made the reservation two months ago."
"I see that, sir, but there was a mix-up."
Kate could see my famous temper beginning to show and interceded. "We'll take two singles, then."
"No we won't", I growled, and the clerk was clearly taken aback. "You give us the room we reserved, or I come across this counter!"
"Sir, please..."
"Daddy!"
An older man, distinguished, in his seventies at least strode up, "Elliott, what's the problem?"
Elliott explained the mix-up and the older man turned to us. "I'm very sorry for the inconvenience. Elliott, give these fine folks the Honeymoon Suite, at no charge."
Back to us, he said, "It's still only a one bedroom but the living area folds out to a Queen, there's separate entries, for privacy, and the view is spectacular. I will send the maid up to arrange things. I hope this will suffice. Once again, my apologies." He smiled,turned and left.
"Okay now, Daddy?"
To Elliott I said, "Is he the manager?"
"Oh, no Sir, that's Rudolph Hesch. He owns this and all 5 others in this chain."
"Wow, I've heard of him! That man has serious bucks."
Elliott smiled, "You could say that, yes, Sir."
Word spread quickly, and the entire staff was at our beck and call. They insisted on carrying our over-night bags, with Elliott showing us the room personally.
It was huge, with large flat screen cable TV in both bedroom and living area. A basket of fruit and bucket of champagne arrived, courtesy of Mr. Hesch.
Katie showered first, then me, and as I tried to defog the mirror to shave by opening the door, I caught a glimpse of her, in skimpy bra and panties, and I marveled. Gone was the baby fat of her teens. She was 5'5, too thin, I thought, but shapely, with pert breasts, so much like her mother back in the day.
I looked away, finished shaving, and went out in my boxers.
"Who's that hunk in my room? Oh, Daddy, it's just you!" she laughed.
"Yeah, just your poor old man," I mumbled, trudging past her.
"You are neither poor nor old! But you can be a real stick in the mud!"
By now she was in a floral sun dress, cut above the knees, and half off her shoulders. Just the right accent of makeup made her look like those models for teen magazines, even though she was 18, herself.
I dressed, and the barbecue was in full swing when they arrived. Katie dragged me around by the arm, introducing me to friends, their families, and faculty. Each face were a blur and the names were worse. The many bars had a nice variety of cocktails, and I had a few to relax.
As the party began to wane, I was propped at one bar, holding a scotch for dear life as one mother, after telling me what a sweetheart Kate was, slipped me a note, with her cell number. "Call me," she whispered as she moved away, going back to her husband.
"Not a chance", I thought, noting I had no intention of getting involved with a married woman and besides, had no clue of her name.
Kate came up hurriedly, dragging, someone. "Daddy, this is Becca. Becca, my dad."
Becca was stunning, close to my height, built like a porn star, heels, low-cut top. She was black, her smooth skin like fine chocolate. She had sleepy sad eyes, that said, "I know you want me."
And I did! I was embarrassed at once, and felt she could see right through me.
"Hello, Mr Orwell, it's so nice to finally meet you, I've heard so much about you from Kate."
"Isn't he a hunk, Beck? We gotta set him up with a real babe. And call him Harry."
We shook hands and I felt a rush I haven't felt in a while.
"I see Jenna, I'll be back!" and Kate was gone, with us still holding hands. "You have strong hands'", she finally said, breaking the silence.
I realized my grip was a bit strong. "Oh, sorry, I didn't mean to hurt you."
What a smile, sultry, exotic, reminding me of some tropical island. "That's okay, I'm a big girl, I can take it."
I bet you could, I thought.
"Kate says you live in the city. I visit my mom there quite a bit. Maybe we can get together and you can show me the sights."
My God, I thought, she's hitting on me!
