Chagrin Confessions

Chapter Eight: Major General Henderson

Why the fuck did I suggest Bryant Park Café for a Saturday brunch?

Families everywhere, little kids screaming, babies crying and couples making out. Apparently there’s a number of events scheduled today, a group jugglers, a pianist, a park tour, and a few accordions from around the world. To say the park is packed is an understatement.

I walk towards the outdoor café to look for the Major. I’m five minutes late, so I’m sure he found a table already. He’s always on time.

Square umbrellas, circular marble tables, and wooden chairs all contribute to the American-style design of the café. Little shrubs and hedge plants surround the café, splitting it from the rest of the park, with beautiful marigolds and tulips in each hedge square.

“Cassie!”

Turning around towards the familiar voice, I spot him standing at a table to the right of the café bar. Running towards him, I throw my arms around to pull him in for a bear hug.

“Major! I miss you loads” I say, muffling my voice in his large chest.

The Major is a large man, towering over my small height. He’s around six four in height, with broad shoulders and a fit figure for a man of his age. He has thick salt and pepper hair which is neatly styled, ocean-blue eyes and an oval face. Safe to say I got my looks from my mum.

“You look good for an old man, pops. Sixty doesn’t become you.”

“Nonsense, you little squirt, your old man puts those boys you call men to shame.” He says, while grinning smugly.

Giggling, I say “Of course, Major! That’s why no man is good enough for me.”

His face turns into a scowl, “Damn right, no man is good enough for my little girl. They’d have to face a mano-y-mano with me first to prove themselves worthy,” he says, scoffing and squaring his shoulders, “besides, according to recent intel, you have no man in your life. So I see no need to worry about that yet.”

“Intel?! Major General Paul Henderson! You better be joking about that! Tell me you’re not gathering Intel about my life, like I’m a mark or some kind of criminal?” I say, crossing my arms across my chest and glaring at him.

“Mark or a criminal? No, darling, I’d be planting cams and mics in your apartment if you were which I haven’t. Yet.”

“And you won’t. I’ll call mum if you do, you know that woman has you around her little finger, and will take my side if I tell her anything” I say, narrowing my eyes, while smirking.

He sits down, sulking like I just told him off, and motions for me to sit.
“Always have to throw in the mom card. That woman drives me crazy, and my men think I’m tough,” he scoffs, “They haven’t seen your mum. You have her feisty fire, you know? Anyways, I already ordered your usual order, so it should be a few minutes now.”

Smiling like I just won a million bucks, I thank him and look around the café, observing the people and our surroundings.

“I already checked the perimeter, there’s no suspicious behaviour. You chose a good, public place.”

Grinning cheekily, “I’m not surprised you already did, Major. But I was simply looking at the people normally. Plus, I have you.” 

The Major always wanted a son to follow his footsteps in the army. Mum blessed him with two daughters, one who became a flight attendant and travels the world, the other is yours truly. So he did the next best thing, he taught us all the basics of military training, from self-defence to untying different knots.