Page 49 of Grouch-ish

“Just sent one,” Nick adds.

I click over to the text app and enlarge the shared photo. “Damn, buddy. You clean up nice,” I tease while my vision blurs.

My kids are so fucking grown up. Nick might be twenty-one and still have a baby-ish face, but his body is all man and we’ve had plenty of discussions about how the machine he is belongs on the field and nowhere else. No bar fights. No aggression toward women.

My baby girl, on the other hand, has looked like a woman for years, and she’s stunning in a deep red gown.

“Ellie, it probably wasn’t fair for you to outshine the brides, sweetheart. You look gorgeous.” Her brown hair has golden highlights, and it’s swept up in some elaborate hairstyle.

“Thanks, Dad.”

“So, what are you guys doing today? What have you been up to?”

“Kenny wanted us to come over.”

Mentally, I protest that Kenny and Melissa get more time with my kids. I’m missing out on two weeks with this twelve-day gig, and I brought it up to Cap, who brushed me off, knowing the kids would only be gone the week of Christmas for the wedding. Nick and Ellie are both home for a month between their semester breaks.

“I thought they were going on a honeymoon.”

“They leave tomorrow,” Ellie explains. “But we’re home now.” Home, meaning my house.

Silence fills the line again.

“Actually—” Ellie’s voice begins but some kind of struggle ensues and what sounds like the phone hitting the floor clambers through mine.

“You guys okay?”

A minute passes before Nick responds. “Yeah, we just—”

“We’re having a party, Daddy.” Ellie hollers as if feet away from the phone.

“Ellie,” Nick groans.

“What?” I chuckle, not half as upset as maybe I should be.

“We each asked five friends to come over,” Ellie explains. “I promise we’ll clean up everything.”

“Guys,” I groan, lowering my head and squeezing at my forehead. A party at my house without me present is the last thing I need.

“We’re ordering pizzas and watching the big game,” Nick adds.

“No alcohol,” I demand, but Nick is twenty-one.

“Dad,” he groans.

“Ellie.” My girl is a good girl, and Nick’s friends have all been warned away from her by him, being the protective, big brother he is. But alcohol and college kids aren’t a great mix. Not that I have any say when they are away at school, but I’m not liking this combination in my home.

For some reason, Pear’s voice whispers through my head, reminding me I need to let my kids make their own choices, and their own mistakes. Doesn’t mean I don’t want to prevent something dangerous or harmful from happening to them, but they’re still good kids. Nick will watch out for Ellie. And Ellie can hold her own against his friends.

“Okay.” I sigh.

“What?” Ellie squeaks.

“Ow,” Nick grunts.

“What happened?”

“Ellie hit me.” The fake pout in Nick’s voice suggests he isn’t really hurt.