Playing Dad

14. Arcades Aren't Just For Kids

(Tristy)

    We pulled into a big parking lot. “Dave and Busters?” I asked curiously looking out the window.

“Yep!” Tre said smiling to me. I had never been to such a place. I looked back to Billie and he just shrugged and smiled.

“What kind of place is this?” I asked as I took off my seat belt. Billie and Tre were doing the same.

“It’s an arcade slash restaurant,” I went to roll my eyes but he quickly put his hand up, “Now before you go all ballistic and rant about a kiddie place, it’s not! Just give it a chance.” I bit the side of my jaw.

“Alright,” I said calmly. His face filled with joy.

“Oh this is going to be great!” He got out. “Hurry up Billie.”

“I’m coming, I’m coming.” We all started up the parking lot when Tre came beside me and put an arm around my neck.

“You know kiddo, your mom and I use to come here a good bit. Of course we couldn’t drink, but we had fun. She really liked it.”

“Really?” I asked softly looking up at him. He smiled.

“Yeah, she was the one that brought me here first. And you kept saying arcades were for babies.” I smiled a little. Billie came to my other side and threw an arm around me.

“Well I think this is a good choice Tre!” Billie said.

“Thank you!” He said proudly. We made it to the doors and they each let me go. Billie held the door open.

“Ladies first,” he smiled gesturing. I smiled and Tre stepped in.

“Why thank you handsome young man,” he said smiling pinching at Billie’s cheeks. I snickered as Billie rolled his eyes. We went in and the host greeted us. “Booth please,” Tre told her. I was looking around. The place was actually pretty cool. There was a section of tables to eat and a big section of an assortment of arcade games.

“Follow me.” The host started walking but I was too busy looking. Billie placed a hand on my lower back slightly pulling me along his side. I blushed when I looked back and realized it was him. He smiled and I felt his thumb slowly rub on my back. “Here we are.” The host laid some menus out. Tre gestured for me to sit beside him but on the inside. I smiled and decided to go ahead and sit next to him. I slid in and Billie slide in in front of us. We picked up our menus and another girl came up claiming to be our waitress and took our drink order.

“So I figure after we eat and have a nice chat we can run wild and play some games,” Tre said smiling. “Sound good?”

“Yeah sure, just don’t leave me alone you guys, this place is kind of big and I’ve never been here before.” I said looking back and forth at them.

“Oh honey I won’t!” I actually felt a bit relieved by Tre’s words.

“Yeah, don’t worry. We’ll keep an eye on you.” Billie said I looked at him and smiled.

“Thank you guys.” After a few minutes of debating on what I wanted to eat, the waitress came back and took our order. When she left we sat there in a few minutes of awkward silence. “Sooo, Tre.” He looked to me. “What’s the special occasion? Didn’t you just buy food today?” He laughed a bit nervous.

“I just wanted to spend time with my family.” He smiled and ruffled my hair. I smiled a little and patted it back down.

“Really?”

“Yeah!”

“Billie isn’t family,” Tre jerked his head to him.

“Pfff, yeah but he’s like family.” I could tell he was a bit nervous.