4.
Saturday June 20th, 1987, and Lydia returned home. She was not going to in any way inform anyone of her two thousand dollar overall win in Vegas, least of all her father, oh no, her winnings were her secret. She was dreading arriving home for a few reasons. The holiday she enjoyed so much had ended, there was no worry attached to that. What did carry plenty of worry would be the condition of Lydia's father.
Was he still in the land of the living? Surely, he can last a few days without her though at that, what kind of condition would he be in? One thing for sure, if her father was conscious then he would have been drinking and most likely until such a time he wasn't.
'Where the hell have you been?' came the shout from the living room.
These words were met by relief closely followed by dread.
'I was away.'
'Away where? And with who?'
'I was far away ... on my own.'
Lydia was greeted by empty beer cans and empty vodka and whiskey bottles, as well as a stench that may have well smelled like death. How and where he got the drink, she did not want to know.
'The state of the place here, have you eaten at all while I was gone?'
'There were some beans in the press' said Lydia's father as he accidentally knocked over a half full can of beer from the armchair he sat on. 'Aw crap.'
He struggled to reach and retrieve what was left of his beer.
'Beans, that it? I have been gone all week and all you had were some beans?'
'I ate, I ate plenty. You still haven't told me where you were and with who? And would it hurt to call me dad?'
'I did tell you', she speaks under her breath. 'C'mon get up and get yourself somewhat respectable. It is my last day before I go back to work, so we are going out for dinner.'
There was only one place to go and that of course would be Abe's Diner, the diner that Lydia works at. Upon her arrival to Abe's, Lydia was immediately greeted with a hug.
'Lydia. You're back. You do know that you are not due back in until tomorrow.'
'I know Sophie, just in to grab a bite to eat with my DAD'.
'Do you guys know what you both would like?'
'Yeah, an omelet with a bit of everything in it, fries and a black coffee for the dad, Cajun chicken salad with a juice for me please.'
'Sure thing.'
'Any whiskey to go with that coffee?' asked Lydia's dad taking a seat in the near empty diner, and in no way being considerate as to how he spoke.
There once was a time he would never speak in such a manner though such is how life has changed.
'No more alcohol for you today, old man.'
'Old man?'
Lydia put her hand on her father's shoulder before following Sophie up to the counter as she put in their order.
'So, you enjoyed your break?' asked Sophie.
'I did indeed. I definitely needed that getaway.'
'Tell me, who is this ... Scott Harmon?'
'Scott who?'
'Ya know, tall well-dressed older man. Almost as old as your father, only he looks like he has money and takes care of himself. He was here only a little while ago inquiring about you.'
