5
I quickly change out of my suit and pour myself a much needed Scotch in lieu of the beer before collapsing on the couch. It feels like I've aged years in a matter of minutes, and it takes me a few to calm down.
Alice should be glad I didn't ground her for life for this little stunt.
I dig through the takeout menus on the coffee table and call in our order. They're backed up, so instead of getting it delivered, I call Angela and ask her to stop and pick it up on her way home from the center.
I'm grabbing plates and drinks when she comes stumbling in the house, all smiles and happy giggles.
"Hey, dollface," I greet when she tosses the boxes on the table and shucks out of her jacket. "You're in a good mood."
"Daddy." She drops a kiss on my cheek. "You'll never believe what just happened."
"What?"
She pushes her hair out of her face. "Well, it was a long wait 'cause they're super busy."
"Uh-huh."
"There's a vampire working at Stanley's now," she tells me with wide eyes and takes her seat. "When it was my turn, he was working the till and wanted to thank me personally for ordering the spinach with extra garlic pie."
I'm confused. "But garlic doesn't affect vampires."
Unfortunately.
"I know!" Angela exclaims. "It was just a joke. He said he was going to be smelling garlic cloves for a week now thanks to me."
I don't find it as humorous as my daughter.