Read The Flu 1/2 for Free Online

“Just brought the boys back.”
    “Thanks.” Dylan smiled. “Are they home?”
    “Yep. Fed too.” Sam said, nervously. “You know, I have this car to work on, but...I can work on it tomorrow if, you know, you might be in the mood to do the family thing tonight. You, me, the boys, go to Central Park, watch the concert...”
    Before Dylan could answer, Tom did. “She can’t. I’m taking the boys to the concert and she’s working until after ten. You’re out of luck.”
    “Oh.” Sam nodded. “All right. I’ll come by then.”
    “She might be later,” Tom added. “Not that I’ll pay her, she takes so damn long to close the store. Wouldn’t count on it.”
    “Still,” Sam shrugged, “I’ll stop by. Do you mind, Dylan?”
    Dylan shook her head. “No. If you want.”
    “Ok.” Sam smiled. “See you later.” He walked to the door. “Mr. Roberts...Mick.”
    Tom kept his eyes on the door until Sam left. “Asshole.”
    “Dad!” Dylan gasped.
    “Can’t help it, he is,” Tom said.
    Mick smiled. “And you wonder why I like your Dad. But....” he tossed his hands up, “guess I’m out of luck. I was gonna see if you wanted to hang out and watch that concert with me.”
    Again, before Dylan could respond, Tom did. “Oh, sure she can, Mick. My wife wanted to work tonight anyhow. So come on and pick her up about eight.”
    “Dad!” Dylan turned to him. “I can’t afford to lose the hours.”
    Mick laughed. “Two hours? Hell, I’ll pay you what you lose.”
    “Isn’t that prostitution?” Dylan asked.
    “Better to get paid for it, than to give it away.”
    “Isn’t that a Lars line?” Mick asked.
    “Could be,” Tom answered. “All the good ones are. And speaking of Lars, I have to get on the horn with that dealer. None of Lars’ favorite movies have arrived and he’ll be showing up in a little bit for his month-long visit. Everyone else in town is preparing.”
    “Tell me about it,” Mick said. “Heard Jean’s Diner is ordering that Italian desert. Tara-something or other.”
    “Tiramisu,” Dylan corrected. “And that’s not what she ordered. She ordered cannelloni.”
    “Whatever.” Mick tossed out his hand. “So you going with me or not?”
    “Not.” Dylan answered then smiled. “Sure. Why not.”
    The door to the video store opened once more, and Tom turned his head. “Ah, Mr. McCaffrey,” he said.
    Mick had heard the name, but hadn’t met the man. Not that he wanted to, but when Dylan’s attention quickly shifted from him, he wanted to see the guy. He blinked in surprise when Patrick’s appearance failed to match his name.
    “Evening,” Patrick said holding his video case.
    “Hi, Patrick.” Dylan smiled while tucking her hair behind her ears in a flirtatious manner.
    “Stop that.” Mick pulled her hand down then untucked her hair.
    Patrick smiled and laid the case on the counter. “Just wanted to drop this off.”
    “Are you...” Dylan tilted her head, “gonna rent something else for maybe you and your wife this evening?”
    “My wife?” Patrick asked.
    “You know, a woman you possibly live with,” Dylan fished.
    “Stop that,” Mick snapped.
    Flinging her hand at him to hush him, Dylan smiled again at Patrick. “Video?”
    “No. Not tonight,” Patrick answered. “I’m planning on taking in that concert.”
    “Possibly with your...girlfriend?” Dylan questioned.
    “Stop that,” Mick said again, louder.
    “For crying out loud!” Tom’s hand slammed to the counter. “If you want to know, Dylan, just ask the man if he’s involved.”
    Horrified, Dylan just wanted to duck behind the counter.
    “Mr. McCaffrey” Tom faced him, “are you married?”
    “No.” Patrick shook his head.
    “Engaged? Girlfriend?”
    “No.”
    “Homosexual lover?”
    “Dad!”
    Patrick chuckled. “No.”
    “So....” Tom continued, “you are an available heterosexual man?”
    “Yes.”
    “Meet my daughter, Dylan. Estranged from her asshole husband,