Del was aghast. He didn’t like how this gaming company entered in his own motel room. He wondered if they were watching him. He looked at the phone number on the card and was about to dial the number on his phone when he received a call. It was his dad. He hadn’t talked to him for a year and a half.

“Hello,” Del said.

“Hey son, it’s your dad. How’re you doing?”

“It’s been awhile. You know I’m getting a divorce.” Del said

“Sorry son. I know we haven’t talked in a while. But you know I have a new girlfriend. She’s really into family and she wanted me to see how you’re doing.”

“I’m fine.”

“We should go to dinner. And have a talk. What do you say, son?”

“Will your girlfriend be there?”

“No, just us.”

His dad never really invited him to dinner before and if he did, he would bring one of his whores. He was surprised his dad wanted to see him alone. Del was a little tipsy and was still full from his dinner but he wanted to talk to his dad.

His dad said, “Come on Del we haven’t talked for a long time. And I want to tell you something face to face. We can have a few drinks.”

Del said “Ok, if you’re buying.”

“Okay, let’s meet in Long Beach.”

“I’m in San Pedro right now. It’ll take me awhile to get there.”

“Good, I also heard about your job closing down. I can help you out if you need money. But that’s not what I want to talk to you about. You can meet me at the Fish and Grill bar close to PCH. I’ll pay for you.”

“Sure dad.”

***

Del walked into the restaurant. It took him forty-five minutes to get there. He sobered up while he drove. When his parents were together, they would take him here almost every Friday or Saturday. He always thought the place looked beautiful with its dark oak leather chairs and maritime decor. There was a large salt-water fish tank in the front. He used to stare at the color fish as they swam inside when he was young. He saw his dad. He was sitting in his regular seat which was in the bar area overlooking the boats moored on the small pier.

Del always thought his parents liked it in this restaurant because the drinks were strong. His dad didn’t see him because he was talking to the cocktail waitress. She was giggling at something his dad said. Del shook his head. His dad was always flirtatious with the ladies, even his own wife. Marion, his exwife, thought his dad was a playboy and a womanizer. She was right.

Del sided up toward the bar and sat across from his dad.

“Hi dad,” Del said

“Son give me a hug.”

They both stood and Del moved awkwardly around the table and gave his dad a hug. His dad looked the same. He was dress in a dark gray polo shirt and jeans. He had gray frosting on the sides of his hair. He was trim with strong arms and chest. His dad worked out.

His dad’s blue eyes looked at him. His dad always reminded him as a Hollywood actor or director. He wondered if his dad ever tried to be an actor. But he was a car salesman, and he was good at it. He made lots of money selling cars. The waitress came and Del ordered a beer and a lobster dinner. His dad ordered the steak, medium-rare. When the waitress left, he waited for his dad to drop some type of bombshell news.

His dad said, “Son you look like crap. What’s been happening? I know that you’re getting a divorce but you don’t look good.”

“Dad, I got suspended at work and Marion wants a divorce. Nothing is working right.”

“Have you talked to your daughter? Always talk to your to your kids.”

Del nodded. “You’re right. I haven’t talk to her.”

Stolen story; please report.

Del tried not to smirked. His dad was giving advice that he doesn’t know a thing about. They hardly talk. The waitress got his beer, and he drank it from the bottle. He was feeling more drunk now. A big plate with a cooked lobster and vegetables were placed in front of him. He was hungry even though he had a cheeseburger a few hours ago. Del started to eat.

“Do l you ever eat. You seemed like you’re starving,” his dad said, “So what’s all this about you getting a divorce?”

“Marion is not happy. She blames it on my drinking. I don’t know.” Del said through mouthfuls of food.

“Yes, I felt the same when your mother came to me with the divorce paperwork. I didn’t know she was unhappy.”

“I have some money saved. I just don’t know what to do with my marriage. I screwed everything up,” Del said.

“I like Marion,” his dad said, “she’s very nice. She gave you your daughter. You have to talk to her.”

“Yes, like my mom,” Del said

“Okay, that was over a long time ago. We were growing apart, and she didn’t like my interests.”

Del shook his head. He knew what his dad’s interest was. It was the sales lady at his job. His mom found out he was sleeping around with some girl at his work. And that’s what really broke them apart. Yet, Del didn’t want to bring up right now. His dad never knew that Del found about the affair.

“Yes,” Del nodded. “But I don’t know what broke us apart. Maybe, she’s seeing somebody,”

“Sorry son.”

His dad started to eat his large steak. They were silent for a while.

“You should tell her son,” his father said, “that you want to get back together. It didn’t work with your mom, but it might work with Marion.”

“I don’t know. I need to change me life. I have to find a job. If I could show her that I’m different maybe she will come back. I need to stop drinking.”

His dad said “Since you’re jobless right now, do you want to work for me. I’m an owner now at the Honda Universe Dealership.”

Del didn’t want to be a salesman. He didn’t have his dad’s gifts to charm prospective customers.

His dad said, “This happen a few months ago. I signed the papers and I am basically a millionaire. I could get you a job. We have a chain of dealerships on the West Coast. I can get you a sales position or maybe something else. I know you could sell cars like your old man. You even have my looks.”

“I don’t know dad.”

“You talk to a lot of people at your customer service job. It should be easy. We will train you.”

Del took a piece of the claw and broke it with seafood cracker tool. He took the meat and dabbed it with butter. He knew selling cars was not easy. He recalled the many times his dad would come home at his work and complained about customers and not selling any cars.

His dad said, “Son, maybe instead of going back to your wife, you play the field.” He winked at him. “I think the waitress likes you.”

Del had noticed her when he ordered. The waitress was a beautiful blond.

“Dad, no I think I should stay away from girls for now.”

“Ok son. His dad sat back in his chair. He almost finished his large steak. “I just bought a new home in Newport Beach with several summer rooms. You could stay there for free if you want too. You could meet my new girlfriend. You don’t even have to pay rent. What to you say?”

Del was shocked. His dad had never offered to stay with him. His mom always struggled financially when Del was younger. Even though, his dad paid for alimony. It was not enough to raise him. Del wondered if this was his dad’s way to assuage his guilt.

Del said, “What does your girlfriend think about this?”

His dad smiled and was trying to turn on the charm to him. “She will be fine with it. Bring all your stuff. I’ll help you out with the divorce paperwork. I have a lawyer. I don’t want you to be screwed.”

Del said, “Let me think about it.”

***

Del drove home to his motel room in San Pedro. He was thinking about his dad. He almost took his dad’s offer but something made him stop. He wasn’t sure about his dad’s girlfriend. He had never met her before. Del should at least meet her before he moved in.

Yet Del had been independent for so long. Growing up with a mom who drank too much and sometimes forget to pick him up from school or feed him dinner made him very self-sufficient. But taking his dad’s offer could solve a few things.

He drove into the parking lot of the motel and stopped right in front of his room. He took out his phone it was down to eighty-five percent. And he decided to call his wife and also talk to his daughter. He dialed the phone number. It rang.

“Hello,” it was a man’s voice.

Del was shocked. He wanted to ask who this was. He hung up the phone. He shook his head. He was furious. He shook his head and wanted more alcohol something that would quench his thirst and anger.

His phone started ringing; it was his wife. He wondered how she knew he called but he forgot his wife’s phone had caller ID. He didn’t pick up. He was too mad. The phone call went to voicemail. He got out of his car. He opened his door went into his room. Stumbling into his room, he saw that he had still some beer, rum and soda left.

Even though his beer was warm, he drank it and also chugged down the rest of his rum. He felt better but everything started to look fuzzy. The lamp looked funny. He smiled and laughed. He flopped on his bed and closed his eyes.

He heard a loud banging. It kept going on and on. Del moaned and opened his eyes. Everything around him seemed to be moving like he was on a ship stuck in a rough storm.

He croaked, “Who’s there?”

“It’s John. I have been trying to call and text you for hours. Are you ok?”

Del stumbled. It took him a few times, but he made it to the door and opened it. He saw John’s silhouette in the doorway. He came in and sat on Del’s only chair.

Del said, “What time is it?”

“I think it’s midnight. I’m not quite sure.”

“How’s your date?”

“I just got back I wanted to celebrate. So, I was looking for you if you want to have a drink.”

Del said, “You have to drive. I’m too drunk.”

“Ok, let’s roll.”