father figures

“This ought to be a celebration. Here I am on a beautiful island, in a cozy restaurant, having a lovely dinner with my two wonderful children. But everyone is too sad.”

    “What happened to Bobby?” Kate asked.

    “He said he was going to drive the cab this evening. He said something about making money while he could,” said Kat.

     “He thinks he’s going to be arrested,” said Kate.

     “Why would he?”

     “I guess you don’t know,” said Bill. “But he found Dad. And his fingerprints were all over the place.”

      “If he found him that would be understandable.”

     “And then there’s the gun,” said Kate.

     “Gun? He doesn’t seem like the type.”

     “We found a gun at his place. In my backpack. I’ve been asked to stay on the island.”

      Kat took a swig of her martini. “By who?”

      “The police chief. Merideth’s son. I wasn’t on the island at the time Dad died, but I guess I could be Bobby’s accomplice.”

       “Or motive,” said Bill. “If this were one of my shows, the rich father would have found the poor taxi driver an unacceptable suitor for his daughter. Especially given the age difference.”

       “It wasn’t like that,” said Kate. “Yes I loved him—still do—but in more of a friendship way. We agreed to have a summer romance and then cut it off. And we did.”

     “Friends with benefits,” said Bill.

     Kate blushed.

     “I can see what you saw in him,” said her mother. “But I can see why Malcolm wouldn’t like him. Why Bobby must be my age!”

      “He always has these short-term relationships,” said Kate. “Probably attachment issues.”

       “And we know you have father issues,” said Kat.

       “But I don’t have a father any more,” said Kate.