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"Me-li-o," I whine

"Go get him I have dad business to discuss with hio to the door Sa the end of the cook-off show He pauses it when I walk up "Melio wants to talk you Would youit gently to his ear He’s wary of my phone That’s funny

"Yes, sir," I hear hirin I lift o and sit down on the other end of the sofa

"Of course," he says into the phone He glances in my direction and then quickly away "You don’t have to worry I’ll take care of her"

He laughs But then I hear a sharp retort through the phone and he sobers, his cheeks growing red "Yes, sir," he says

He hands the phone back to me I lift it tothat didn’t need doing" He chuckles "Love you, kid"

"Love you too, Melio"

"Think about what I asked you"

I nod like he can see s up I sink back against the couch cushion Sa" But he’s still biting back laughter

"What did he say to you?"

"You really want to know?" He grabs my foot and jerks it into his lap My bottom slides across the couch

I don’t think I’ve ever had a man bodily move me around before I’m not sure I like it And I’m not sure I don’t like it, either "What did he say?"

"He said the only thing that could be referenced as a woody around here had better be the Woodpecker I think he meant you And that I should worry about castration if I try to get in your pants"

"Oh" What little breath I can get in and out stalls Sam sort of stole it all with that declaration "I’s "I respect that"

I nod, because I can’t think of anything to say I lean back and look at the ceiling Sas on my middle toe "Did he have news about your mom?"

I nod, and lay my forearm over ertips very gently skim up and down the top of my foot "Did he say what she wants?"

"M- stopped when he jerked my foot, and I just stuttered in front of him, over and over I opendown at him "Wh-what sh-should I do?" I laywith a kn-known d-drug dealer"