“Wait. Is your dad a dentist?”
My shoulders slump. “Yeah. How’d you know?”
“Jarvis isn’t a name I hear often and so far, your dad seems like a total asshole. I don’t really like my dentist, and turns out, that’s your dad. Go figure.”
It’s somewhat comforting that he knows who my dad is. It makes him more real, more like someone who can be trusted. Usually, I’d defend my dad, but not today. If he’s waiting for me at the airport, then I’ll feel guilty about it, but I’ll worry about that later.
“So, do you have any siblings?”
“Well, I have a younger half-sister, Rachel, from my dad’s new marriage and with my mom’s new marriage, I have a stepbrother, Logan. He’s actually the same age as I am. He offered to come with me, but I stupidly told him I would be okay.”
“You guys are close?”
“Yeah. We weren’t at first, but he’s become like a real brother to me now. Sometimes, he’s a real pain in the ass, but I’m really glad to have him as part of the family. What about you?”
“Older sister and younger sister; both a pain in the ass all the time.”
I laugh as he shakes his head. “That bad, huh?”
“Yeah. It hasn’t been so bad since they decided to jump ship and live with my mom. It’s been nice for there to be no women in the house for a change. Lot quieter. Less shit on the counter.”
“Oh, but what do you poor things do about dinner?” I roll my eyes. It almost sounds like the house was ran by women and they’ve been left to their own devices.
“Hey, we can cook. We’re fucking awesome in the kitchen.”
The lady in the aisle seat frowns, probably because he’s cussing. I wonder if she frowned when he kissed me earlier, too.
“Really?” I ask.
“Yeah. Dad made me help him shortly after Mom left. I didn’t want to at first, but it’s cool now.”
We talk about these kinds of things for the rest of the flight. He easily feels like a new friend by the end of it. It seems he likes his dad more than his mom. He speaks more highly of him and about him more often anyway. I turn off airplane mode as soon as I can to see if there’s any word from Dad, but there’s nothing. Ian reaches
over and squeezes my knee.
“I’ll wait with you.”
“You don’t have to do that. I’m sure he’s only running a little late. Or, maybe he’s here waiting for me.”
“I won’t leave you to wait all by yourself.” There’s a determination in his voice and though I’ll try once more, I have a feeling there’s no changing his mind.
“Isn’t your dad going to be here?”
“Yeah, and he won’t leave you to wait either.”
Well, what argument am I supposed to have for that? Dad better not let me down. It’s embarrassing if he’s a no-show, especially since I can’t get rid of Ian and possibly his dad. Ian takes my carry-on again. It’s weird, but nice. Lots of guys back home claim to be true Southern gentlemen with manners, but I open doors for myself, carry heavy stuff without much help, and things like that. I wonder who instilled these things into Ian. His mom or his dad? Both?
Dad isn’t waiting for me, but Ian spots his father easily. I see some of Ian’s features in the older man. The similar build. The same hair color. The same green eyes.
“Who’s this?” Mr. Rhett asks after greetings between them are exchanged.
“This is Sydney Jarvis, the dentist’s daughter. She’s in town for her grandmother’s funeral. Her dad isn’t here yet.”
“Yeah,” Mr. Rhett interrupts. “His car was at his house; I drove by it on the way here, but he could’ve left after I did. I’m always early.”
“Well, can we wait with her?”
“Yes, of course.” We follow Mr. Rhett to a trio of seats and I try calling my father. It rings and rings and rings, but no answer. I call the house phone.