Only Average (EDITING)

Chapter twenty eight

Luke’s P.O.V

I pulled the car up to the valet in the front of Spago. My first thought when I got out of the car and looked up at the intimidating building that was judging me was that I don’t belong here. I shouldn’t be here, not meeting my so called dad. I took a hug gulp trying not to throw up and looked worriedly and Marie. She gave me an encouraging smile and grabbed my hand and squeezed it lightly with hers. I nodded one quick nod and walked her up to the front door where there was two doormen to hold it open for us. I smiled and gave each one a nod and walked in. It looked the same as it did a few years ago but maybe now with a new paint job. It held a bunch of rich snobby assholes enjoying their Sunday lunches. I walked up to the podium and said “hey, uh, I’m, I mean we’re” looking towards Marie “meeting my father here.” I finished nervously. I really didn’t want to do this. She looked at me with a flirty smile and said “and his name would be?” oh great, she probably thinks I’m nervous talking to her. “Bob Wright.” I gave her a small smile after I saw her eyes pop open. Everyone knew my dad for his money.

“Oh my god! You’re Luke! His son that….” She didn’t finish the sentence. A look of sympathy over came her and she finished “I’m sorry.” I laughed and replied “it’s quit alright… so my father?” I asked still chuckling.  She hit her head and said “Oh right. Sorry sir, right this way.” Marie was giggling beside me and I looked at her in a funny face. The hostess led us to one of the outside tables and the tables were spread out in a garden type thing. It looked really nice, that is until I saw Bob himself sitting at the far table by a fountain reading the menu with a quizzical look on his face. “Here you are sir, your waitress Cindy will be here momentarily.” I gave her a polite smile and pulled Marie’s chair out beside dad. I would much rather sit across from him. He looked Marie up and down, but not in a rude way which I was not expecting. “Hey son.” He greeted me politely and shook my hand. “And this is?” He asked smiling at Marie. “Hey father, this is Marie. Marie, father.” I said gesturing them to each other.

He gave her a polite smile and held her hand out to her “Bob. And might I say that Valentino dress looks amazing on you.” He said nicely. She looked down at the dress nervously. I could tell that she was really nervous since she was biting her lip. “Thank you mister Wright.” She said nicely while putting her napkin in her lap. “Oh please you can call me Bob. I insist, I have never met one of Luke’s girlfriends before. Even when he was living at the house. He must really like you.” He said with a smirk and then looking back at the menu. “Yeah… So let’s get on with this?” I said more like a question since I’m not the one who made this awkward event happen. “Okay.” He said closing the menu and setting it back down on the table. He looked really serious and then said “I have cancer.” Then he looked into my eyes searching for my reaction. And I’m sure all he saw was shock because that’s all I was feeling. I took in a deep breath and glanced over at Marie and she was looking down at the table looking shocked and uncomfortable.

 I cleared my throat not knowing how to respond to that and looked back at my father, my sick father. “I found out a few weeks ago and we have been trying to do everything and anything possible to prevent it from spreading and it was no use. It has spread to my lungs and some have even spread around my heart. They said if they would have found out sooner it wouldn’t have but me being my hard headed self I refused to go to the doctor. But eventually your mother’s constant nagging made me go and well now we know.” The waitress came to the table all cheery and happy and asked “Hey everyone! My name in Cindy and I’ll be your waitress on this amazing Sunday. What can I get you to drink?” she asked looking at all of us finally realizing the looks on our faces. Dad smiled politely at her and said “whisky sour please. Double.” She smiled and wrote that down and then looked at Marie “Umm… a long island ice tea please.” She told Cindy looking anywhere but me and dad. The waitress then looked at me and I said “whisky and a splash of sour.” She jotted it down and walked away quickly.