“And you’ll do great,” David said with a confident smile.
“You could return in the spring if you wish,” Cold offered. “I would expect that your hours at the club will be reduced so you can focus on your studies.”
“Club?” David questioned.
“Oh! Right!” Jimmy blushed as he explained, “So, I might have taken a job singing at one of Rod’s clubs. La Belle et la Bête.”
“That big swanky place downtown that used to be a theater?” David whistled. “That’s awesome, slugger! I remember how much you used to love singing with Mom.”
“Thanks! It’s a lot of fun!” Jimmy beamed proudly. “You’ll have to come see me perform!”
“That would be wonderful, son!”
“Dinner is served, monsieurs,” Jerry announced, swinging back into the dining room with a tray of steaming food. “Steaks the size of Texas, as requested.”
David stared hungrily down at the enormous T-bone steak set down in front of him. “Wow. Thank you, Jerry. This looks friggin’ incredible.”
“Oh, it’s nothing, monsieur,” Jerry preened, looking very pleased as he served Jimmy and Cold.
The next few moments were filled with the light clattering of silverware as they ate, and David made little pleasurable sounds as he chowed down. He was already almost done with his steak before Jimmy had eaten a quarter of his.
“Why, Daddy Poe,” Rowena greeted from the doorway, smiling at him ravenously. “Don’t you look lovely all cleaned up!”
To Jimmy’s delight, his father blushed.
Rowena walked up beside him, lightly raking her nails over his shoulder. “Much improved.”
“Thank you, Miss Legrand,” David said, smiling shyly up at her. “Nothing sweeter than the compliments of a beautiful woman.”
“Why, Daddy Poe!” Rowena laughed, petting his cheek. “You are just adorable.”
“Behave yourself, sister,” Cold scolded.
Jimmy had never seen his father so flustered, grinning in between bites.
“I am!” Rowena argued.
“I certainly wouldn’t mind if you misbehaved,” David said innocently, and Jimmy nearly inhaled his steak.
“Mmm, and here I thought you were a good boy!” Rowena giggled.
“There might be snow on the rooftop, but there’s still fire in the furnace, Miss Legrand,” David told her sagely, his eyes twinkling with mischief.
“You wicked old thing!” Rowena gasped as she pretended to be aghast. “My boyfriend better watch out. Apparently he has some competition.”
“Enough,” Cold warned with a roll of his eyes. “We’re trying to eat.”
“My apologies,” David said, still grinning. “I meant no offense.”
“Oh, none taken,” Rowena assured him with a wink. “I love shamelessly flirting with handsome men.”
“Flirt elsewhere.” Cold pointed his fork at his sister. “Doesn’t your little boyfriend need some tending to?”
“Yes, dear brother,” Rowena replied, scrunching up her nose with a smirk. “I was just on my way over to see him. Wanted to stop in and see Daddy Poe!” She blew Jimmy a kiss, giggling, “And Baby Poe, of course!”
“Have fun!” Jimmy laughed. “Say hi to Dario for me!”
“You boys have a lovely evening!” Rowena called out before slinking away, waving farewell.
David went right back to his steak, making small talk about the changes he’d like to make in the prison, with Cold voicing his support. Jimmy was glad to listen while watching two of the most important people in his life getting along fabulously.
Dinner was cleared away, and Cold suggested they take their drinks into the living room. It was a massive space of plush furniture and state of the art electronics. Jimmy plopped down in his usual spot, stretched out across the couch positioned right in front of the massive television.
Cold sat on the end so Jimmy could put his head in his lap, surprisingly at ease around David to show such affection.
“So?” David took the armchair next to them. “What are we gonna watch?”
“You’re the guest!” Jimmy laughed, his cheeks rosy from all the wine. “You get to pick.”
“I’m a little behind on recent flicks, slugger,” David reminded him.
“Well,” Jimmy said cheerfully, “we have all the time in the world now to get you all caught up!”
“Yeah,” David agreed with a fond smile. “We sure damn do. I love you, kiddo.”
“I love you, too.”
David sipped at his beer, sinking down into the lush cushions with a contented sigh.
“I take it your first day as a free man is going well, David?” Cold asked politely, his fingers absently gliding through Jimmy’s hair.
“You know,” David chuckled, “yeah, it really is.”
Cold raised his glass. “Here’s to you, David. May every day of freedom bring you such joy.”
David lifted his beer in salute, agreeing, “And here’s to you and Jimmy for making that happen. Thank you both.”
“The pleasure is mine,” Cold assured him.
Finally settling on an old western that Jimmy knew was one of David’s favorites, the movie began to play. It had only been running for about ten minutes before David’s attention drifted elsewhere. His expression now somber, he reached over to pat Jimmy’s leg as he said, “Tomorrow, I’d like to go see Mom.”
“Oh!” Jimmy sat up immediately. “We can go see her right now if you want! Jerry would totally drive us!”
“It’s all right, slugger,” David said with a sad smile. “We can go tomorrow. It’s been nineteen years, I can wait one more night. Maybe after we see Maury. He may even want to come with us.”
“Yeah!” Jimmy nodded earnestly. “Whatever you want to do!”
“Mm, well, it’s been a pretty long day,” David sighed, “so I might have to give you guys a rain check on the movie if that’s all right.”
Jimmy frowned, starting to protest, “But Dad—”
Cold’s hand touched the back of his neck, a silent reminder of their previous conversation.
“O-okay,” Jimmy stammered, smiling awkwardly as his father hugged him good night. “I love you, Dad.”
“Love you too, slugger,” David sighed, hanging on tight for a few moments. He shook Cold’s hand, saying, “Thank you, Roderick.”
“Have a good night, David,” Cold replied politely.
Watching his father depart, Jimmy resisted the urge to call out after him. He had to trust Cold. He got settled back on the couch with his head in Cold’s lap and tried to watch the movie.
“Thank you for trusting me,” Cold said, his hand moving to pet Jimmy’s hair. “Things will get easier for your father, but it will take time. Just listen to what I tell you, and all will be well.”
“Are we in a ‘master and slave’ relationship?” Jimmy asked suddenly.
“Pardon?” Cold blinked.
“You tell me what to do all the time.” Jimmy blushed. “So, what we have together... am I your slave?”