BELLA’S RESTAURANT
Ace had sounded thrilled at the chance to finally meeting his son that he had called Ivy that morning to see if the meeting would still be possible. Ivy had told Leroy after cleaning the house that he would be meeting his father. He had jumped in excitement, had talked nonstop about what it would be like to finally know his dad. He had rushed his mom, determined not to be late for his first date with his dad and they had arrived twenty five minutes early. Ivy watched as her son jumped each time the door bell jangled announcing the presence of a customer.
“What’s the time mom?” Leroy asked feeling tired of jumping up at every sound of the door bell.
“The time is 2:35 p. m” Ivy answered, never liking the idea of Ace turning up late on the first day of meeting his son.
Leroy sighed. “He’ll be here right? Probably he is busy at work.” He nibbled on his lower lips.
“I don’t really know.. but let’s wait for five more minutes if he doesn’t show up, we will go to the store nearby to buy you some school stuff alright?” Ivy patted his curls gently.
“Alright mom.” Leroy lisped slightly.
He really hoped that his dad would show up before five minutes clicked by. And as if the bell stopped working because it didn’t ring and no one came in until after five minutes.
Leroy’s head snapped up towards the entrance. “Mom! He’s here!” He danced in his chair.
Ace’s heart was beating fast as he crossed the restaurant. He had tried to be on time but his father had delayed him plus he got stuck in the traffic when all he wanted was to make a good impression of himself to his son.
“I am so sorry.. I am late… I got stuck in traffic.” Ace stated with an apologetic look on his face when he settled in the booth facing Ivy and her son.
“It’s alright. Leroy was just worried about you.” Ivy replied.
Ace looked at Ivy, studying her, she looked good. Ivy looked really good, all dressed in a Jean that hugged her abundant curve and a blue off shouldered top that showed her glowing skin.
“Leroy, I am sorry. I didn’t mean to keep you waiting on our first date.” Ace apologized.
“It’s fine dad.” Leroy flashed him a boyish grin.
Ace froze at the sound of the nervous little voice and not just that – his son just called him dad. The entire restaurant was looking at them, eavesdropping but he didn’t care and it was none of their business.
Ace face beamed with a huge happy smile. “Thank you Leroy. I appreciate that,” He said to Leroy, clearing his throat.
“So how are you doing dad?” Leroy asked.
“I am very much okay. I have been really anxious to meet you.” Ace responded.
“I have been more anxious to see you too. I was super excited when mom said we were going to meet.” Leroy smiled.
Ace just simply nodded his head. He was nervous that he feared that he might ruin his chance with his son. But Ace prayed that wouldn’t happen.
“Leroy has been waiting for you to get his ice cream. Why don’t you help him pick something at the counter?” Ivy suggested.
“Oh alright… what your favorite flavor?” He asked his son.
“Chocolate…! I looovveee chocolate ice cream!” Leroy replied.
“Chocolate flavor is my favorite too.” Ace added.
“Dad, does that mean you are a chocoholic like me?” Leroy asked.
Ace nodded his head positively.
“Cool dad! I also like chips and cookies, can I have all of that?!” Leroy requested.
“Sure of course!” Ace answered. His son could have more if he wanted it. Leroy could have anything as long as his father could buy it with money.
“Can I get all of that for him?” Ace asked turning to face Ivy.
“Mom, can I get it?” Leroy pestered.
Ivy smiled at her son. “Since we had a deal, you can have it.” She replied.
“Awesome! Thank you mom!” Leroy got out of the booth to meet his dad.
“What can I get for you?” Ace asked Ivy.
“Come on moooommm… decide.” Leroy danced impatiently beside his dad.
“Okay.. I’ll take vanilla ice cream.” Ivy answered and grinned at her son.
“Alright, we’ll be back.” Ace and Leroy walked off to the counter.
And few minutes later they were sitting together, their ice cream in front of them. Ivy frowned at
her son as he dived into his ice cream like a hungry man while Ace watched him with amazed indulgence.
Ivy tapped her son’s shoulder gently. “Stop taking your ice cream like a starved man. Show your dad you weren’t raised in a barn.” She cautioned him.
“Sorry mom but this is the best ice cream I have ever taken!” Leroy shoveled another bite into his mouth. “And the chips is nice too. I can’t wait to taste my cookies when I am done with this. This is really good but mom why are we just coming here today?” He asked.
“It’s a new place. They opened it about two weeks ago.” She exchanged glanced with Ace.
“Oh that’s great! We must come here often okay mom?”
“Sure but with another deal.” Ivy teased her son.
“Oh come on mom, do we have to make a deal all the time?” Leroy looked straight at her.
“Of course.. that’s the only way to make you act like a cool boy. Ooohhh don’t tell me you are backing out already?” She teased him even more knowing her son was never the type to give up so easily.
“Never! Let’s keep making deals, Miss Rivera.” Leroy answered earning a laughter from his parents.
“So what grade are you in now?” Ace asked making a chance to get to know his son.
” I am in third grade at starville school.” Leroy replied.
“That’s cool.” Ace nodded.
“Dad, my school is really great but-” he pursed his lips. “My home room teacher is eccentric.”
Ace chuckled. ” Eccentric?” He repeated.
Leroy might be just nine but he is a bit advanced than his age.
“Don’t mind him anyone who is not doing his thing or anyone who is out of place is strange and weird to him.” Ivy explained her son’s reason for using such word to describe his teacher.
“Not everyone one… just Nanny Vanessa, my teacher and Kelly.” Leroy countered.
“Kelly? But you once said you like her and that she is your friend.” Ivy reminded him.
“That’s because my first day in school, she’s my first friend and my seat partner but later on I found out why everyone is avoiding her.” Leroy shook his head.
“She is still your friend. And why do people at your school think of avoiding her that way?” Ace asked.
Leroy shrugged. “That’s because she behaves like a ghost… Bleh and she scares everyone on the playground. She walks without making any sound too and appears out of the blues like a witch in the female’a toilet. That place seems to be her hideout.” He explained.
Ace laughed and Ivy laughed with him. He couldn’t help it, Leroy was too damn adorable for words.
“Maybe.. Kelly just needs someone to talk and play with her. She shouldn’t be that bad.” Ivy stated.
Kelly reminded her of her old self although she wasn’t labeled a witch but the unlucky one.
“Kelly is a nice girl.” Leroy admitted.
“I told you several times to stop thinking everyone is weird okay?” Ivy grabbed a tissue to wipe the traces of ice cream at the corners of his mouth.
Leroy flashed her a grin. And as time seems to fly, Ace Clark concentrated on learning and knowing as much as he could about his son and Ivy. The more he learned the more impressed he was about their lives.