Daddy’s Law by K.C. Crowne

Chapter 17

Ava

Awhole week of sneaking around was easier to manage than I first anticipated. It was kind of exciting. Every time Theo gave me a quick peck on the lips before I got out of the car to go to work, every time he placed his hand on the small of my back as he saw me to my door —it was thrilling.

Cindy visited me at the art studio with an extra-large coffee. She slumped down in the vacant classroom chair beside me and ran a hand over her cheek, perturbed.

“They’re cutting our hours,” she complained. “All in the name of making sure the hospital staff isn’t overworked.”

“That’s a good thing, isn’t it?” I asked. “I wouldn’t want a medical professional to be too tired to take proper care of me.”

Cindy grimaced. “I know, I know. But the less I work, the less I make. If David and I are going to start a family, we really need to be in a good place financially. My kid should want for nothing.”

“That’s very responsible of you.”

She hummed, taking a long sip of her own cappuccino. “Well, sorry I missed out on dinner last week. Now that they’re shortening our shifts, they’re expecting us to complete all our daily tasks within that time frame. It’s like crunch time twenty-four seven.”

“Don’t worry about it. It’s all good. We can always reschedule.”

Cindy squinted, eyeing me suspiciously. “What happened?”

“What?”

“You look really happy.”

“I’m always happy.”

“No, I mean really happy. Like something-really-good-happened kind of happy.”

“I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

She hit me across the arm, not hard enough to hurt. “It’s a guy, isn’t it? I knew it. You met someone. Tell me everything and spare no details.”

“There’s nothing to tell,” I insisted, sticking to my guns. “And even if there was, I’m not going to say anything when there are children nearby.”

Cindy clicked her tongue and said, dryly, “Oh, yes. The children.”

“Don’t pout.”

“I’m not pouting.”

I shook my head and laughed. “Trust me, if I had news, you’re the first person I’d tell.”

“Alright,” she replied, though she sounded entirely unconvinced.

The summer days were getting longer and hotter, prompting me to crack open the art room window that overlooked the school’s parking lot. I could see Theo’s truck from here, though the glare from the sun prevented me from actually seeing him. Despite this, I knew he was there, diligent and protective as ever. Temperatures were climbing, and I felt bad that he had to wait out in his vehicle. Maybe I’d stop by the cafeteria later to grab him a drink.

I observed my students while Cindy continued to talk my ear off about her work. I kept a watchful eye on Cory, who no longer sat in his corner of the studio alone. Emilio was pulled up beside him, working on a clay project. Their workstation was messy and full of color, filled with the sound of lively conversation and laughter.

“I didn’t like how the movie ended,” Cory said to his friend.

“Are you still thinking about that?”

“Obviously. It came out of nowhere! I checked online. Lots of people feel the same way.”

“That’s the point of a twist ending,” Emilio countered.

Cory shrugged. “I thought the hero was supposed to get the girl, but he wound up breaking her heart instead and chose a life of crime. I thought he was going to be a good guy.” Cory curled his nose. “I didn’t like it. He should have treated her nicer.”

I didn’t mean to eavesdrop but hearing Cory’s comment brought a smile to my face. He was definitely his father’s son. Considerate. Sweet. A gentleman in the making.

Cindy and I made plans to meet that coming Friday for dinner.“For real this time,” she’d said. With fifteen minutes until the end of class, I had my kids clean up and prepare to go home. The children poured out of my art studio, looking forward to enjoying the rest of the day out in the sun.

I was surprised to find Theo at my door once the bell rang, waiting respectfully to the side. He waved to Cory, then smiled at me. I smiled back, pleased to see him.

“Hey, Dad,” Cory greeted, pulling his backpack strap over his shoulder.

“What are you doing here?” I asked, making my way over to him.

Theo handed me a cold bottle of water. He handed another to his son. “It’s hot out. Thought I’d get you two something to drink.”

Cindy cleared her throat. “Where’s mine?” she asked, arching a curious brow. He produced a third bottle, pulling it out of his jacket pocket. Cindy took it, smirking. “Well, aren’t you handy?”

“I’m always prepared, ma’am.”

“Ma’am? Do I look old enough to be called that?” Cindy looked at me, aghast.

I only smiled. “We should get going. Call me later?”

She kissed my cheek, but not before glancing between Theo and me. “Sure.” She patted him on the shoulder as she left. “You kids behave, you hear?”

Cory tilted his head to the side. “Dad?”

“Yeah, buddy?”

“What did she mean by that?”

I cleared my throat and ushered them both out the door. “Hop to it, folks. I’ve got to lock up.”

* * *

We stopped by their house first, as was our usual routine. Just as Cory was about to get out of the car, art supplies in tow, he asked, “Miss Cruise, can I show you what I’ve been working on for the exhibition? It’s upstairs.”

I glanced at Theo, who nodded. “You know what? I’d love to see it.”

“Maybe you can stay for dinner, too?” he asked. “Dad said he’d make me macaroni and hotdogs tonight.”

“Did he? Sounds delicious, but I wouldn’t want to impose. Maybe we should ask your father first?”

Theo chuckled. “Miss Cruise, would you like to stay for dinner?”

“It’d be my pleasure.”

Walking into the Phillips’ home was surreal. I’d been able to admire it from the outside, but the interior was a whole other world to me. There was history here, a lived-in quality to every room and wall and floorboard.

While Theo parked the truck in the garage next to his motorcycle —a recent discovery I’d made and would certainly be bringing up later— Cory guided me inside through the front door and showed me around.

It was spacious and clean. A little dim because the sheer curtains had been pulled closed, but it was warm and welcoming all the same. The front entrance opened into the living room, a couch and two armchairs positioned in front of a fireplace. It didn’t look like it saw much use. The large television screen mounted above the mantel appeared to be the room’s centerpiece, a large collection of DVDs next to the fireplace on a sturdy bookshelf.

To our left was the kitchen and dining room. Open concept, the spaces flowing into one another seamlessly. The big, modern kitchen had stainless steel appliances and a white tile backsplash. There was a rack hanging above the kitchen island, pots and pans and various other utensils hanging from hooks.

The dining room pulled my focus. A circular hardwood table was at its center, just beneath a hanging pendant light. There were only three chairs, one of which had been tucked away in the corner next to a cabinet full of expensive China. It didn’t take me long to guess who it must have belonged to.

“My project’s upstairs,” Cory said, giving my hand a light tug. “I hope you like it.”

I smiled. “I’m sure I will.”

He led me upstairs and showed me to his room, which was at the very end of the hall. Several picture frames hung on the walls. Family photos, the majority of them featuring a blonde woman with a gorgeous smile.

A huge canvas sat on an easel set up next to Cory’s bedroom window. It was a landscape with fantastical elements. The colors blew me away. Deep greens, vibrant reds, stunning yellows. He was layering the background, slowly adding definition with each stroke. While it looked to be a bit of a blur now, I knew that this was impressive and technical work. The amount of organization and planning required to complete a project of this size was astounding for someone so young.

“It’s going to be a castle,” he explained. “Overlooking a lake and surrounded by a forest. I was inspired by a picture I found of the Swiss Alps.”

“Cory, this is amazing.”

He shifted his weight from foot to foot. “Do you think I have much of a chance at winning?”

I smiled gently. “I certainly think so. You’ll give everyone else a run for their money.”

“Thank you very much, Miss Cruise.”

I heard a set of footfalls behind us. I spotted Theo at the door, observing us with a fondness in his eyes.

“Would you mind setting the table, bud?” he asked his son. “Dinner will be ready in a few.”

Cory nodded. “Okay,” he said, leaving quickly.

I gestured to the painting. “He’s really something special.”

Theo nodded, taking a few steps toward me. “I know.”

I went to him and quickly kissed him on the lips, making sure Cory was well out of sight. “Awful nice of him to invite me to dinner.”

“I may or may not have planted the idea.”

“You could have just asked me to come over yourself, you know.”

“True, but this way Cory will think it was his doing and won’t ask any questions about why I wanted you here.”

“You’re devilishly smart when you want to be.”

He kissed me again, slower and deeper. “I’m sorry we’re having something so simple to eat. It’s Cory’s favorite and I couldn’t say no. If you want something else—”

I shook my head. “I don’t mind. My mom used to make it for me all the time.”

“She did?”

“It was one of the only things she knew how to make without burning.”

“I hope it lives up to your expectations.”

I slipped my hand into his. “I’m sure it will.”

We went back downstairs. While Theo prepared dinner, Cory showed me all the different books that his father recently purchased for them. The majority of them were coffee table books, filled to the brim with high fidelity images of famous artworks spanning centuries.

“I’m trying to teach Dad about Van Gogh,” Cory explained. We were seated at the kitchen island.

“Van Gogh’s my favorite,” I said, peering over the pages with him.

“Is that the guy who chopped off his own ear?” Theo asked, preoccupied with stirring the pasta over the stove.

Cory sighed. “Not his whole ear. Just the lobe. Everybody gets that wrong for some reason.”

“And didn’t he try to give it to a… lady of the night?”

“You can say prostitute, Dad. She was a prostitute.”

“How on Earth do you know that word?”

“Because I know how to read. Duh.” And then he whispered to me, “We looked it up in a dictionary.”

I giggled. “It was supposedly a display of his undying love for her. Very romantic.”

Theo grimaced. “If you say so.”

“What? You don’t think it’s romantic?”

“Flowers are romantic. Poems are romantic. Giving a piece of an ear… not so much.”

“These were the olden times, Dad,” Cory noted. “Everybody was dramatic back then.”

I stuck up my index finger. “You want to know another interesting fact?”

“Sure,” he replied.

“Van Gogh had a brother named Theo.”

He chuckled. “That is interesting.”

Cory flipped the page. The Starry Night took up both pages, majestic blues swirling into the greens and yellows and whites. “I really want to go to the interactive museum.”

“What a coincidence, so do I.” I sighed dreamily. “I unfortunately haven’t had the chance to go. Too busy with work.” That, and the fact that I didn’t want to shell out the money for a ticket, but I kept that to myself.

Theo perked up at this. “Maybe we should all go together,” he said as he divided up the food into three separate bowls. “The next time you have a day off, of course.”

Cory beamed. “Seriously? That’d be so cool!”

“Yeah, why not? Who better to teach me about the ear chopper than your art teacher?” He looked at me, a question in his eyes. “What do you think?”

Warmth bloomed in my chest, my heart singing happily. “I’d love that. I’m free on Sunday.”

“It’s settled, then.”

Cory cheered before promptly digging into his food. “Awesome.”

I, for one, wholeheartedly agreed.