Chapter 49
"I don't know sweetheart, but right now I am watching over him so he doesn't drink and drive, he is in a bar getting drunk and there might be a fight when he comes out if I have to take his keys. Will you still love me if I have a black eye and broken nose?"
"Can't you just call the police if you see he's getting drunk," she asked. "How many drinks has he had so far?"
"Do you really want me to call the cops on your father Andi? He is in the bar and I am outside so I don't know how much he has had. I just want to make sure he is okay to drive when he gets ready to leave."
"Do you think I should tell Mommie and have her come and talk to daddy? She could make him come home."
"He really wanted to be alone, Andi. I think we should just leave him be for now, I just want to make sure he is safe."
"Do you think I should tell Mommie? She is walking the floor worried to death!"
"Just tell her that I am with him and watching out for him. That should reassure her, ok?"
"I'll tell her, darling, and I love you so much. Take care of yourself, Tigger."
"I will, my sweet, Piglet."
Deciding that he had waited long enough for AJ, AJ went into the bar looking for his future father-in-law.
Meanwhile in O'Brian's, AJ sat at the bar nursing his drink and wondering where he had gone wrong. Taking another sip of whiskey he let it slide down his throat and seriously gave some thought about getting so shit-faced they have to call the police to haul him out. He needed a friend right now who would listen and understand. 'George, old boy, here's to whom I would have called first.' Then down went the third shot of whiskey.
"Bartender, another if you will."
"Make that two please," AJ said sitting down next to AJ
"Am I being followed? Didn't I tell you several times already to leave me alone, son?"
"Yes, Sir, you did. But I just talked to your daughter who is in tears because she upset you and tells me your wife is pacing the floor crying also because she is so worried about you. And I thought you might be in need of a friend right about now. I don't know if you hate me or not right now, but I would like to be your friend, Sir."
Taking a sip of the whiskey AJ said, "Careful son, most of my friends are dead. They all seem to die on me one way or another, George, Chaplin Turner, Sturgis all of the good old ones are gone. And here I sit drinking with a kid that took my daughter's innocence. I don't need friends like you, son. Go away."
"I am sorry that you feel that way, Sir, because I would have considered it an honor to be your friend. Yes, Andi and I have been intimate, but we would have been when we got married too, it was just sooner than you would have been happy with. I love her, Sir, and would never do anything to hurt her. If you ever want to talk I would be glad to be there for you." He got off the bar stool pushing his untouched drink closer to AJ and starting to walk out with his shoulders hunched.
"Damn, kid talks too much. Ah, what the hell I'll go home. I have better whiskey at home then you serve here," he said drinking down the last shot and heading to his Escalade, and home.
AJ followed AJ at a safe distance to make sure that he got home all right, and then went around to the back door in the hopes of letting Andi know he was there without letting her father know he had been followed home.
"AJ, what are you doing here, did something happen to daddy?" cried Andi.
"No he should be coming in the front door any second..." they heard the slam..."He is fine, but you might want to stay out of his way for a bit."
To be continued…..
