“Can I get some of that?” Matt asked sarcastically, pointing his chopsticks at the pork. I pretended to think it over before reluctantly handing him the platter.
“Me, too, A-go,” Banana said, using the Taiwanese honorific for grandmother which my mother had taught to her.
“Sure, Banana,” Mom beamed, grabbing the platter from Matt before he was through. My mother heaped a generous portion on Banana’s plate and handed her a fork. Banana tried to use her chopsticks for a few minutes before giving up. She was getting better, but some things were just beyond her ken.
“So, how is everything, Scarlett?” My father asked between bites. He didn’t ask just to be polite—oh, no, he really wanted to know. Unfortunately, everything I wanted to talk about couldn’t be mentioned in front of Banana.
“Um, ok. I’m sort of seeing someone,” I said cautiously, glancing at Matt. He was too absorbed in eating as much food as fast as possible to pay the slightest bit of attention to me.
“Ma told me. A detective?” My father asked cheerfully. “At least you’ll be safe with a police officer.”
“What about Uncle Matt?” Banana asked, putting her fork down. “I thought you lived with Uncle Matt!” She looked from Matt to me and back again, and Matt indicated that it was my ballgame.
“We’re roommates, Banana,” I said gently, not wanting to add any more grief to her life. “We’re really good friends. We are not boyfriend and girlfriend.”
“Why not? Don’t you love each other?” Now Banana’s chin was trembling, and I knew she was seconds away from tears. My father looked sorry he had said anything, though I was the one who’d brought up the date.
“I love him as a friend,” I explained, not sure how to put it so a three-year old would understand. “Um, I met this other man who I like as something other than a friend.”
“Oh.” Banana was quiet for a minute before turning to my mother. “A-go, can I have some tea?”
“Sure, honey,” Mom said, relieved that the mini-storm was over.
I dismissed the thoughts as I pulled on my head. I was ninety percent certain that Shannon was the culprit which meant I could relax. No one would be trying to off me today. I could walk freely among the children and not worry about anything more than getting food on my outfit. The darlings tended to have their hands full when they wanted to hug me and would through their arms around me ad nauseam without thinking to pass along their booty to their beaming parents first. Consequently, at the end of the day, I became a walking billboard for the park’s menu. I usually ended up smelling like I’d been dipped in a vat of hot oil, and it wasn’t pleasant. However, I was so ecstatic not to be the target of someone’s venom, I didn’t mind the thought of all those spoiled children ruining my day. Much.
Amidst her ranting and raving, the sound of sirens were heard. I couldn’t tell if they were coming from the phone or directly from outside, but it really didn’t matter. The cops were here which meant they’d put a stop to the insanity. Through my phone, I heard the voice of Detective Bradley shouting for Shannon to put down her weapon. Shannon screamed, but did not indicate whether or not she was going to comply. Her phone cut off, so hopefully the detectives had winged the bitch. I poked my head around the corner into the living room and was relieved when no shots flew by—or at my head. After ascertaining that she wasn’t shooting any longer, I glanced down and saw my father on the floor, slumped against the couch, holding his arm. Blood was flowing freely, and his face was white.
“We should go to the hospital,” I say urgently. We gather our stuff, forgetting about our brainstorming session. It’s more important we reach the Jensons and Paris before anyone else does. As we’re rushing down the front steps, Inspector Robinson is walking up them. She is wearing a taupe pantsuit that flatters her figure nicely.