>> pictured: Richard (Rick) Shia Anderson <<

***

Noah Silas Anderson

Chapter Sixty-three: "Daddy's home"

"Come on, get up," I rushed Brooklyn.

You'd think getting the seven-year-old up for the day would be harder than waking a grown woman. She groaned and curled back into a ball. It was early as Hell, though.

Brooklyn coughed and I knew she was faking it.

"I'm sick, see? I can't go," she continued being dramatic so I ripped the blankets off the bed and let some light in the room. She laughed and sat up, freeing her long hair from the messy bun she slept in.

Emereigh ran in, spilling milk from the bowl of cereal on my floor.

"Emereigh," I barked, clenching my jaw.

She tightened her mouth and whispered "oops." So she froze in place to avoid anything else, knowing I was about to get on her for being in my room and spilling shit on the carpet.

"I can still see you," I told her, putting my phone on the charger.

"How about now?" she asked me, stepping behind a lamp.

"Oh no, where'd you go?" I dryly played along. She giggled and ran to Brooklyn.

"Hold this, let me show you!" Em shoved the black bowl at Brooklyn's chest and found an open area. She made sure I was looking, too, before demonstrating her approach - the steps in volleyball to attack the ball.

"Good job, Emmers!" Brooklyn congratulated my sister. They high-fived and Em asked me how good that was.

"Ten outta ten," I gave her, smiling proud.

"YAY!" She roared in a distorted voice.

While I cleaned up, the girls went to the bathroom and Brooklyn started to brush Em's hair.

"Can we get donuts before we see Daddy?" she asked with excitement.

"I think Dad's tired of donuts, kid," I said.

"Are you excited to meet my Daddy?" Em asked Brooklyn who paused and smiled in the mirror.

"Yeah, I'm so excited. I hope he's excited to meet me," Brooklyn sighed.

"Oh, he is!" Emereigh yapped. She wouldn't stay still for Brooklyn to do her hair because she was all hopped up from sugar and with anticipation. "I told him allllll about you! He's gonna like you, or he's crazy."

"Well, he's definitely crazy," I mumbled, sitting on the bed.
Brooklyn's phone vibrated and I saw that it was Venus. She noticed me reading the screen but didn't say anything about it right away.

"All done!" Brooklyn sang, squaring Em's shoulders.
She put her hair in two braids in the front, parted down the middle and it looked so cute on Emereigh.

"Oh my gosh, I have to show Cassie. Can I Snapchat on your phone?" Emereigh asked Brooklyn, running out of the bathroom. I handed over Brooklyn's phone to Em who tried unlocking it.

Brooklyn crossed her arms and ankles as she leaned on the doorframe. "It's 3467," she cleared her throat. I knew it was directed towards me, though. Em unlocked it successfully and knew exactly how to get on Snapchat and operate it. I blame the girls.

Emereigh sent a picture and video to Cassie and then scurried out of the room, dropping Brooklyn's phone on the bed.
Once the door closed shut fully, Brooklyn snatched her phone up.
"Really," she faltered, putting her hands at her hips, "isn't it too early to be snooping in my phone, knowing my password?"

I shook my head. "I wasn't snooping, I swear. I just happened to look and saw it was Venus. Honest."

She decided to believe me and relaxed her posture. Brooklyn pushed the hair out of her face and grabbed the folded outfit she laid in the chair in a corner of my bedroom.
Without saying another word, Brooklyn went in the bathroom to shower.

Em and I hopped out as soon as I parked outside of the rehabilitation center, and Brooklyn sat in the passenger seat.

"What's up?" I asked her, opening the door. She removed her seatbelt and frowned, sticking to the seat.

"I'm nervous, and I've never been nervous for anything," she whined.

"Brooklyn, stop, it's just Rick. If anything, he should be nervous. He's gonna like you, don't worry."

"Yeah, that's the problem: he's going to like to so much that after we end things he'll never stop asking you about me," she laughed, sitting up. She removed her hands from her face and took a deep breath.

"Yeah, probably," I chuckled, playing along.

Both of us watched each other's eyes fall one another's lips. At the same time, we leaned in for the kiss. It was only meant to be one, soft and sweet, but she demanded more. I chuckled and pulled back before getting carried away.

Feeling better now, Brooklyn took my hand and got out of the Hummer. We walked to the sidewalk and waited for Rick to come out.

"I have too pee," Brooklyn suddenly announced.

"Why didn't you go before?" I asked, chewing my gum. She raised her shoulders, her face twisted.

"Just go and stop squirming like a little girl," I exhaled. So Brooklyn said she'd be right back and ran inside. I shook my head and checked the time on my watch.

Less than a minute later, Emereigh tapped me. I looked down and waited for her to say something.

"I have to pee," she said.

I slapped my face and slid my palm down it. "Why didn't you go with Brooklyn?" I asked her.
When Em didn't say anything, only squirmed, I told her to go and find Brooklyn.

Just as I started pacing, wondering what was taking Rick so long, he appeared. His arms went up with bags hanging from his shoulders and he smiled big, causing lines by his eyes.

"My boy," he rang.

I smirked back. "My man!"

He dropped his bags to the cement and walked into a hug.

Rick looked good, better than ever, actually. Was an even healthier weight, skin was brighter and the dark bags under his shade of light spring green eyes.

Wow, I mouthed, looking at him.

He did a spin and said, "I know, I look good. I've always look good." We laughed and did another manly hug again.

I didn't think I'd be this happy to see him, but I could've cried.

"I'm out," he beamed, "I did it."

"Wow, Dad, that's.... that's amazing."

He picked his bags up and we walked to the Hummer.

"What, do you get more muscles every time I see you? Slow down, you're about to pop," he joked, throwing his bags in the trunk.

I laughed at him then changed the subject. "How was it? I-if you don't mind me asking."

"It was like being at the spa. Man, I found myself and I wish I could say it was hard, but it wasn't. It was the best thing I could've done. Honestly, before I went it, I didn't think I'd get better - not soon, anyway. But I had a reason to make it, and thank you for helping me see it. I should've said that months ago."

I had no idea what to say to that, so I didn't say anything. I just kept looking at him like: wow, that's my dad.
After however long, I finally had him back. And more importantly, now Emereigh will have a better man in her life who can be there for her.

"So," he rubbed his hands together after closing the trunk, "where's my baby, don't tell me you didn't bring her?"

"She's coming, her and Brooklyn went to the bathroom."

"Oh, yeah, I'm supposed to be mad at you," he joked.

"Mad at me? What I do?"

"Didn't tell me you're in love," he teased, making my eyes go big.

"Woah, who told you that?" I asked him. It has to have been Emereigh or Cass. Probably Em.

"A little birdy," he sniffed with a crooked smile. "So, do I get to know, or will I have to ask her myself?"

"Definitely not," I blew air from my cheeks. I crossed my arms and ankles, leaning against the bright vehicle, and thought of what to say. "Yeah, I like her. A lot. She's just so funny and real, Dad, she's not like anyone else I've ever met. I mean, we-"

"Dad?" He cocked his head and stared at me funny.

"Yeah? That's who you are, aren't you? Did you get replaced by someone in there?" I laughed it off.

"I like when you say it," he grinned, making me smile back.

Girlish laughter interrupted us from the talk we were having. It was Brooklyn and Emmy racing over to us.

"Oh," Brooklyn sounded, letting go of Em's hand.

"Daddy!" Emereigh exclaimed, running into his arms.

Dad picked her up and spun her, throwing her body high because he could do that now without worrying about hitting the ceiling.

"Sorry we don't have donuts," Emereigh mumbled in his arms. He just laughed and put her down, having to do a double take at Brooklyn.

"Well, hey," he grinned.

Brooklyn released the bottom of her black dress and parted her lips to speak but nothing came out. Instead, she just met him with a hug and he gave me a thumbs up behind his back.

When they pulled away from each other, Dad looked her over. She had on a black dress that stopped mid-thigh, a blue teddy peacoat, a matching LV scarf, sheer black tights, and a pair of boots.

"Wow," he approved, "you're tall. And beautiful ! I'd ask how you got with someone like Noah, but look at him, he's gorgeous. I would know, he is my son." I could tell he was nervous because he was trying to be funnier than normal, or maybe he just really likes Brooklyn.

"I'm-" she started to introduce herself but he interjected.

"Harlem."

"Gael did that already," I told him, chuckling.

"Oh," he clicked his teeth, "well, Manhattan."

Brooklyn giggled. "Fair enough. Rich, is it?"

"Ohh! I'll take it," my father continued to humor Brooklyn.

"Alright. Can we go now, I'm starving?" I spoke up, stomach to my stomach.

"Me too," Rick agreed.

Emereigh jumped up and down, going, "me three!"

Everyone looked at Brooklyn and she said, "Me four," making everyone laugh.

"She fits right in," Dad told me, patting my back.

"I gotta say, Rich," Brooklyn talked, "you're handsome. Is this what Noah's gonna look like when he gets older?"

Rick squeezed her from the side and said, "If he's lucky."

*

"-So why'd your parents name you Brooklyn?" asked Rick after coming down from a laughing fit over the table in the restaurant.

"I don't know, they never said. It doesn't really mean anything, unlike my middle name, or so they claim. It's Noelle, supposed to mean strong girl or something," she told him.

"And you don't think you're strong, or something?" He mocked her last words.

She shook her head. "No, I know I'm strong - beautiful, and all of that - but I think they had these expectations for me, and I'm not exactly living up to them. Things haven't gone according to their plans, I guess." I listened to Brooklyn talk and put my arm behind her chair.

Dad nodded, trying to show he was involved in the conversation. "What are they like, your parents?"

"We don't have to talk about it," I stepped in but Brooklyn sat up and swallowed.

She rubbed her neck as she thought about what to say. "Erm, they're... rich. My dad works a lot, he's a plastic surgeon, and my mom's a housewife. She used to be a dancer."

"Oh, yeah, that's what I meant to say: they had me watching reruns of that reality show and I saw you on there. I think it was an old episode," Dad said.

Brooklyn laughed in embarrassment. "From a few years ago, yeah. She's not on there anymore, thank the lord."

"Do I hear a little accent, Manhattan?" Rick asked, teasing her.

Her face went red before she could answer, tucking the hair behind her ear. "I'm from Texas, so probably. I don't think I have one. My mom's Spanish, and my Dad's German. They both had accents but lost them, too."

"You're all over the place," he engaged, putting his elbows on the table. "How'd you all end up in Texas?"

"Well. How'd y'all end up in California?" Brooklyn answered a question with a question, playing with my father. Meanwhile, Emereigh watched videos on her phone as we waited for our food.

I think during their conversation is the longest I've ever gone without talking, but I actually liked their banter and them getting to know each other.

"I have to go to the bathroom," Emereigh blurted, throwing my phone down. I immediately looked in her cup and saw nothing but melting ice.

"Em, didn't we say not to drink it all before you ate?" I got on her and she sank in her seat until I couldn't see her under the table.

Dad just laughed and scratched his eyebrows.

"I'll take her," Brooklyn offered, standing up to excuse herself. Before she went, she put her hand delicately on my shoulder and pressed her lips to mine. I smiled small and watched her walk away holding Emereigh's hand firmly.

My dad cut his eyes from their direction and glanced at me, his grin growing.

He flicked a balled up paper straw wrapper at me. I flinched, laughing, and threw it back.

"Cassie said you were in love, and now I see what she meant," Dad cooed.

"Being in love? Eh, that's tough," I gritted, scratching the stubble down my neck, "but I'm into her, for sure."

"That, I can see. Tell me, what's she like?" He inched forward, sipping his water.

"You can't already tell?" I chuckled, snapping the blue rubber band against my wrist.

Dad cackled, too, shaking his head. "I like her. You never said how beautiful she is - or funny! She's hilarious."

"I know what you're gonna say, and don't. I already thought it, too."

"What? That she's just like Sic?" He referred to my late mother, Sicily.

I exhaled through my nose deeply and knocked my knuckles on the table. "I said don't say it, but yeah, that. Except Brooklyn can't cook for shit."

Dad laughed to lighten the mood back up and I joined in only a little.

"We're back!" Brooklyn sang, sitting down swiftly. "Did y'all talk about me, what'd you say?" She made us laugh.

"I'm wondering why you let my son turn into The Hulk, what are you feeding him?" Rick made conversation.

Brooklyn laughed but didn't say anything.

I butt in and yelled, "Nothing. That's the thing, she isn't cooking me anything!" Brooklyn dropped her jaw, acting offended like she didn't want him to know she can't cook, but neither of us cared.

"Give her a break, she's probably never had to cook a day in her life. She'll learn. Right, Manhattan?" He winked.

Brooklyn rolled her eyes. "I can cook, okay? Just not, like, full... meals." The more she talked, the more she felt embarrassed and slouched in her chair.

"Aw," I laughed, putting my hand on her thigh, "it's okay."

"Daddy, after this can we go home and get my kitty?" Emereigh asked. I almost bursted her bubble. There's no way that cat is still hanging around their house, I thought. It had to have run away. But I hate cats, I hope it's dead.

***

"-Ooo, ooo," I shouted over the song to Brooklyn who sat in the passenger seat and recorded me on Snapchat. "Listen to this part!"

She giggled in the camera and turned up the volume.

When the part came, I belted the lyrics:

" Missing turns 'cause that's our song
If heaven is anywhere
It's in a blue Tacoma, California
White magnolia in your hair
Rays of gold are shining on ya
Ooh, if heaven is anywhere
It's never running out of golden road
Always having your hand to hold
In a blue Tacoma, California
Ooh, if heaven is anywhere
It's right here "

The video ended and Brooklyn changed the volume to something more quiet.

"Awh, that's your song?" She asked me, making a face like she was about to laugh.

"Shut up, I saw you tryna mouth the words," I sucked my teeth, snatching my hand from her thigh.

"I liked it!" Emereigh chimed in. I looked back for a second to see her. I honestly thought she was sleep the whole ride to Dad's house.

Rick laughed and finally looked up from his phone.

After an hour drive, more or less, we were at the house. It was nice being out of the city.

Emereigh hopped up with Dad's phone in her hand for the flashlight feature and she called for the cat. I actually felt sad for her, there's no way the cat was around.

As we stepped to the door, we heard a 'meow.' I jumped at the sight of the cat pouncing right into her arms.

My little sister grew equally excited as someone who won the lottery when she recognized it.

"Cindy Clawford!" She trilled, cuddling the cat so tight I think she almost killed it. For the first time in person, I heard a cat purr. Em told me it meant he likes her, and she carried the cat inside.

"She named the cat Cindy Clawford?" I asked Rick as we filed inside after the girls.

*

"Thanks for having me, Rich. I'll keep an eye on your kids, especially this one," Brooklyn alluded to me. Dad laughed with us and gave her a hug, then me.

"He might behave for you, I don't know," Dad suggested, throwing his arms up.

Both Brooklyn and I took that way wrong.

"Ew, Dad," I clucked. "Good night. Come on, Em."

"I think she's sleeping," Brooklyn whispered, her hand on my chest. I peeked on the couch behind Dad and saw her comfortable under a throw blanket with Cindy Clawford in her lap.

"Long day, I guess," Dad sighed. And it wasn't even two PM, yet.

We just watched her in silence and caught her peek her eyes open. None of us said anything because we realized she was just faking just so she could spend more time with her father after so long.

"Can she stay?" asked Dad, pulling me to the side.

I vibrated my lips, staring around the interior of the house. His neighbor and good friend, Mr. Mike Bowie, and his wife had been taking care of things around the house while Dad was gone. It looked nice and well-kept, plus her bedroom was still in tact. Actually, it looked better than before. The fridge was lacking, but I knew he'd get up and go shopping first thing, probably, as he needed new clothes, as well.

"I don't see why not," I agreed. He rejoiced and thanked me.

"But only this weekend," I stated, "we'll see how things go and then once you get back on your feet, she's all yours again."

"Sounds fair enough," Dad nodded, clasping his hands together. "You're a good man and I can't thank you enough for all you did - all of you - and Cassie, too. Things are gonna be better."

"I know they will. I'm proud of you."

He smiled big and pulled me in for a hug. And not a brotherly or manly hug, but a regular, parental one. I have to admit that I missed that, too.

Brooklyn carried Em back to her bedroom and Dad and I went back to catch her tucking Em in.

"How is Brooklyn with kids, she like Cassie?" My father questioned with low volume.

"This is Cassie's passion, her calling. Brooklyn has those motherly instincts, all women do, but nah, she doesn't want any."

"That's what they all say. Your mother was the same way, but she came around and it became her passion - her calling," he told me.

***

I took Brooklyn home, then went to work so I could spread the word about Venus's new business.
I tried looking on the bright side and kept telling myself it was only promoting, that nothing's wrong with what Gael and I were doing. Plus, I was happy it was all word-of-mouth so nothing could come back to me unless someone snitched, but people at The Playroom were usually good about keeping their mouths shut.

After sunset, we occupied the rooftop - Gael, Cassie, Brooklyn, Ned, Daniel, and myself. We drank lightly and talked shit, mostly getting to know Brooklyn's friends from home.

Ned was actually smart as fuck, he knew things like, no one else did. He could calculate shit fast in his head and blurt random, interesting, and super intelligent facts that made my brain hurt.

I learned about Daniel's situation, the hate crime, and I looked at him differently. Every time I saw him drink, I felt worse. That's why I made sure I laughed at his jokes and interacted with him and Ned so they didn't feel like extras or unwelcomed. Thankfully, though, they took a liking to Gael and Cass, too, so there was nothing to worry about. And Brooklyn was more than happy that we all got along.

"Gail, what are you being for Halloween?" Brooklyn asked him, starting a new conversation.

Cassie faked a cough. "A dick."

"Uh, a world champion boxer," Gael corrected.

"And you, Noah?" Brooklyn questioned.

I turned around from leaning over the rail and taking in the view. I had to remove the the bottle of beer from my lips to speak, now facing them all. My costume was easy. "SWAT," I said.

"I guess we're all lazy" Brooklyn laughed because her costume is the devil, and Cassie's an angel.

Cassie's eyes closed, she said, "One of the best traits, I'd say." Gael tickled her nose as she jumped up and swatted him away.

That's when Brooklyn spilled her beer and I took it from her. Nope, I'm not dealing with her drunk.

"That's enough," I declared, keeping the bottle out of her reach. Wanting another, Daniel snatched it from my hands and hummed, "Don't mind if I do!"

"Hey I was drinking that!" Brooklyn pouted, trying to grab Daniel but I pushed her arms down.

"You guys are cute," Daniel said to the four of us, "I'm jealous, it's hard to find good dick back in New York."

"What part of New York are you from," I set up my joke and paused. "Brooklyn?" Cue the cymbal crash sound effect.

No one laughed, except Gael.

Daniel said, "No, Harlem - the club scene."

Hearing he was from Harlem, the nickname G gave to Brooklyn, she and Gael laughed with each other, enjoying their moment.

Ned startled us when he came back to life. He jogged over to his best friend, Daniel, and said to everyone, "Hey, I just found a party downtown, you wanna go?" But none of us were up for a party so we declined.

Daniel and Ned decided to go anyway and said their goodbyes. Ned waved to everyone and walked to the door first. Dan then hugged the girls and said good night.

Brooke yelled after her brother, "Be safe, call me when you're on your way back!" He nodded like he was embarrassed and quickly made his way down with Ned.

"Aye, how's rick adjusting to being out?" Gael asked me.

Cassie massaged her temples. That's what a hangover will do to you, but I didn't wanna say that and make her feel worse.
"Oh! Yeah. Your dad is absolutely amazing," she commented.

"Oh, Cassie you met him, too?" asked Brooklyn. She grabbed my arm and pulled me close, keeping me close behind her back.

"Emereigh wanted to see him and I couldn't say no. But he's so nice and I just have so much respect for him already," said Cassie. She took a pause and went on to say, "Oh. He's...attractive, too. Sorry," earning a funny look from Gael.

"He is attractive," I had to agree, now getting a stare from Brooklyn.

It got quiet for a second then Brooklyn sprung to her feet, looking panicked. "Oh shoot, I forgot I had something in the oven!"

I dropped my head, laughing. That's Brooklyn for you.

"Guess it's pizza for dinner again. Or noodles," I grumbled, following Brooklyn who was speed-walking comically.

"Good night, y'all!" She hollered to Cass and Gael at the door

My head tossed back and I groaned, "Night. Call me if you have something to eat!"