“Yeah, I kind of came to the same conclusion.”
Parker gave me a bro fist which I acknowledged with one of my own, though a smirk crept around the edges of my mouth.
“So, do you want me in there with you?” I asked.
“You would do that?” Parker looked at me in shock.
“We share pussy, and I know Patty, so I think it’s the least I could do. Anyway, they’re in my home, so if they start trouble I’ll kick their asses out.”
“I’m kinda hoping they do now.” Parker laughed and I followed him through into the living room.
To say she lived here before, Patty was perched on the edge of the couch nervously, her hand on her husband’s. It was hard to miss the giant diamond on her wedding finger and I’m guessing the pendant and earrings she had on weren’t costume jewelry either.
I leant forwards as Philip rose and shook his hand. We made introductions.
“I figured, if it was okay with you both, that I would sit in, seeing as it’s my house you’re in.”
Philip looked like he was going to protest.
“I want him here Pops. He’s become a good friend.”
Philip nodded and sat back onto the couch.
Patty made herself busy pouring everyone a coffee from the tray I had brought in.
Philip cleared his throat. “So, Parker. I came to clear things up. I didn’t like how things were left between us. It wasn’t my intention to make you feel like you had been disowned. I was just enjoying spending time with my wife.”
“A known money-grabber. No disrespect.” Parker answered.
“None taken, honey.” Replied Patty. “I can see why you would think that, but Parker, this time you’re incorrect.”
His eyes narrowed. “Is that so?”
“Yes.” Patty looked up at Parker and then turned her gaze to my own and I could see the honesty in her gaze as she carried on talking. “I fell in love with your father. Right at the time I had sworn off men and decided to stand on my own two feet. Your dad’s had quite a challenge on his hands as I resisted him for some time.” She turned to Philip and their eyes met and the look that passed between them really was pure love.
“Patty could see you were on a slippery slope son. Having hung around money before, she had seen wayward sons who had ended up with drug problems, or crashed race cars and ended up in wheelchairs or dead. All because they were seeking thrills because money got them everything. You were on your way to becoming a playboy, son, I could see it. We agreed that you needed encouragement to stand on your own two feet. I wasn’t expecting you to run away from home.
“I didn’t run away. I came to track down Kayla to see if I could get her to talk to you,” he looked at Patty. “To try and get you to leave my dad alone. I thought you were trying to take him for his wealth.”
“Well, I don’t blame you for that. I hardly had the best reputation.” Patty bit her lip. “But Parker, everything I did before was to make sure my daughter had a good standard of living.”
“I get that, but on talking to her it seems the money was there but in place of love.”
Patty looked hurt. “I was so busy trying to keep the roof over our head and play at being a rich man’s wife or lover that I forgot the whole reason why I was doing it.” Her eyes went glassy. “There’s no doubt about it, I neglected my daughter that way. I see that now and I’ve come to apologize to her. I fully expect after all these years she’ll tell me to go to hell, but at least I’ll have made the effort. At least she’ll know I love her.”
“Anyway, Parker.” Philip interrupted. “I came to tell you to come back home. We can talk about your allowance. We don’t want to cut you off, just give you a little direction. We came to take you home son.”
“Can I just have a minute outside to discuss something with Dan?”
“Err, yes, of course.”
I followed Parker out of the room. We stood just outside the door and I could hear Philip mumbling to Patty.
“Is there something going on between the two of them? Are they lovers?”
“I don’t think so, Philip. I think, knowing Daniel, he’ll be being a father figure.”
“He’s got a father.”