Page 19 of Property of Yak

“Your favorite daughter is home,” she yells out, making us all laugh.

“Always humble, Elizabeth. Come give me a hug.”

I smile as she does that before sitting across from me. Liz never really had a family. Her mother was a junkie. One my father arrested more than once. We met in grade school and became fast friends. It wasn’t long before she spent more time here than at home. When her mom would go to jail, Dad would make special arrangements to take her in. She’s practically my sister at this point.

“Only because I work for the enemy,” I tease her.

Liz works as a secretary to the CEO of a marketing company. Dad is proud of us both, but I know he still wishes I didn’t help get criminals off.

“Uh-huh.”

“Elizabeth Marie, I hear you took my daughter out Friday night,” Dad starts in on her.

“Come on, Dad. We are young. We were safe. My boyfriend was with us. Besides, she made it home safely.”

I swallow hard, spooning food on my plate so I don’t have to meet their eyes.

Neither notices as they continue to argue about the safety of going to a club, and I don’t hear a word. All I can do is sit there and see those two dead men in the alley. All of the blood.

“Julie, are you going to pass the peas?” Liz asks.

“Oh. Yeah. Sorry. Thinking about work,” I lie easily, passing her the peas.

She narrows her eyes but lets it go.

“I want to meet this boy you claim is so safe,” Dad demands.

“Oh, come on. It’s not ‘meet the parents’ time yet. When we get there, you will be the first to know,” she promises.

Dad groans. “Please tell me you are using protection.”

“Dad,” I gasp.

“What? It’s important to be safe. I don’t want you girls having sex with any guy you meet, but you should be stocked up. In fact, I’m buying you both condoms in bulk.”

My face heats as Liz starts to laugh.

“Good looking out, Chief.”

I groan. “Don’t encourage him. Dad, we don’t need condoms. We can buy our own.”

He is about to speak again, but his phone goes off.

He keeps it on “Do Not Disturb” during these dinners, but there’s one number that will come through. His second-in-command, who only calls if it is an emergency.

He answers, leaving the room to speak in hushed tones.

“You told him about Friday?” Liz hisses at me.

“He wanted to know why I am so tired. Staying out past my bedtime does that,” I whisper back to her.

“You left before ten, so don’t act like such a grandma.”

Before I can respond, Dad comes back.

“I’m sorry, girls. I have to go in.”

“Anything serious?” I ask.