Rodney sat at the kitchen island eating a piece of dry toast and reading the morning paper. Rachel, still dressed in her pajamas picked at some eggs on her plate. She looked like she hadn't slept all night and felt that way too. The kitchen door opened quickly, startling both of them.
Justine, Rodney's older sister, a thin redhead, 24 years old, already an owner of her own business, dressed in a thigh length brown skirt, nylons, a white button up top and a cross pendant necklace burst into the kitchen with her usual bright enthusiasm. "Morning, lovebirds!" She beamed at Rodney and Rachel.
"Can you make anymore noise?" Rodney chided his sister.
"Well, you sure are grumpy, today," Justine looked at Rachel, "You okay, Rach?"
Rachel nodded and yawned. "Didn't get much sleep last night."
Justine poured herself a cup of coffee and slapped Rodney on the shoulder, "You dog. You can at least let her sleep!"
Rodney's eyes widened, "But, we..."
Rachel laughed, "Not Rodney's fault. Just had a lot on my mind."
Rodney turned and looked at Rachel with a concerned look on his face. Had they gone too far playing with the fantasy of his younger sister?
"Sorry to hear that. Do you know if Dad is ready?"
"Yeah, he's been up for a bit. What are you two doing?"
"He's helping me with a cabinet for my place. I need to use the truck, and I can't drive clutch." Rodney nodded, "Do you need extra help?"
Justine shook her head and set her coffee cup on the counter. "Oh no, Dad and I will be able to handle it. Thanks."
Rodney sighed with relief. He didn't want to be wrestling a cabinet for his sister all morning. Mark Allen walked into the kitchen. When looking at him, people thought of one thing. Square. Not as in lame, but as in the shape. His shoulders were directly perpendicular to his neck. His arms were muscular and came straight to his hips. Even his jaw was firm and squarelike. His black hair was salted in a distinguished way with gray. As a moderately successful tax lawyer, he liked the graying look, though Patricia really wanted him to dye it since it made her feel older.
He always wore a sport jacket and either a button down shirt of a polo. Today he chose the more casual polo to go with his blue slacks. He surveyed the room and smiled, "Hey, Justine. Are you ready?"
"Yeah, Daddy, anytime," she smiled back at him. "Hey, Rodney, could you do me a favor today?" Rodney nodded at his dad.
"I promised your mom I'd get her car washed but I'm not going to have time. Could you do it?" "Sure, Dad, no problem."
"Excellent. Well you kids have a good day. Tell you mom I won't be back for lunch."
Mark grabbed a set of keys from a hook by the door and Justine trailed behind him giving Rodney and Rachel a timid wave goodbye.
Mark and Justine climbed into the big Ford F150 and buckled up. Mark started the truck and adjusted the air conditioning. He then sat there. He didn't put the truck in gear, he didn't even release the parking brake. The truck idled and the radio with the volume too low to be truly audible was a whisper just below the sound of the fan blowing. Justine turned to say something but then didn't.
After a minute she couldn't stand it anymore. "Is there something wrong, Daddy?"
"Yes, there is." His reply was cold and he didn't even look at her.
"W-what?" Justine shivered. "What's wrong?"
"I am not going anywhere with you when you are dressed like that," Mark said as he turned his head ever so slightly to see her in his peripheral vision and he gestured at her with his hand.
"Oh," Justine said. She quickly opened her purse. "I forgot. I'm sorry, Daddy." Justine pulled out a black band from the purse. It was a half inch wide strap of leather with a ring attached to it. A dog collar. She put it around her neck and secured it.
"Better?" she asked smiling.