Title: Midnight Shift: Chapter Seventeen, Dark Wizard
Rating: NC-17 [language, alcohol, sex, drugs]

Summary: How exactly does Summer react to mescaline?





His mind was racing. It wasn’t like he hadn’t been around girls tripping on mescaline before. But it had never been Summer. The fear in his heart increased tenfold upon the realization she had gone from anti-drinking to loving champagne in a matter of days. Now that she had a taste for mescaline, would she want to try all of the drugs? And why the fuck did it bother him? He regularly snorted coke and smoked pot. Oh wait. Summer smoked pot too. But he still did not like the fact Bonzo gave her mescaline. That was just plain wrong. And pissed him off. A lot.

But anger was not going to help the little girl in his lap. What he needed to do was to get her away from the hotel. He could better protect her that way. Convincing her of that was not going to be easy. Or so he thought.

“I called the car,” Jimmy stated softly, sitting back beside Robert, who hadn’t noticed the guitarist leave.

“Tha—”

“What did you call it, Jimmy? Something naughty?” Summer asked.

Both men blinked but said nothing.

“Daddy, why are the stars so bright?”

Following her gaze, he realized she was looking at the streetlights below, “Baby, those aren’t stars.”

She slipped out of his lap before his arms could tighten around her waist, “But Robert, they’re so pretty.”

He launched out of his chairs as she climbed up on the barrier around the rooftop terrace. Both Jimmy and Bonzo twitched to intercede, only holding back once the singer’s arms circled around her waist. Rather than lean back against him, Summer leaned forwards, spreading her arms wide. Locking his fingers, Robert’s arms flexed to keep her from tumbling over the edge. He hadn’t the mindset to pull her off, wasn’t even sure he could at that moment. All of his energy was focused on keeping ahold of her.

Jimmy inched forward, glancing at Robert’s determined face. Throwing a glare in Bonzo’s direction, he turned his options over quickly. There really was only one: help Robert get the girl off the ledge.

“Sweetheart, princess,” he spoke in an even, soft voice.

She did not respond.

“Summer,” he spoke a bit louder, “sweetheart, if you come down from there, Robert and I will do something very special for you.”

“More special than flying?” she shouted.

“Yes, of course, sweetheart.”

“Nothing is more special than flying, Jimmy!” she leaned forward a bit more.

“Sweetheart, please,” he pleaded. “Come down from there.”

“It’s so beautiful up here, Jimmy!” she exclaimed. “Come fly with me!”

Glancing at the strain on Robert’s face, Jimmy quickly came to a decision. Jumping forward, he pulled himself up onto the barrier beside her. He reached gently for her hand, indicating he had joined her. Summer’s eyes snapped to a foreign object. However her eyes flicked up to his and she smiled brightly.

“Can we have ice cream once we land, Jimmy?”

“Any flavor you want, princess,” he responded softly. “Any flavor you want.”

With that declaration, Summer pulled her hand free from Jimmy’s and fell backwards into Robert’s arms. She giggled hysterically, her fingers playing with his golden curls while she mumbled between her giggles. Robert backed away from the edge, his eyes flicking to Jimmy as he jumped down himself, gratitude briefly shining in his blue eyes. He hesitated to release his high girlfriend but he also wasn’t too keen on carrying her all the way downstairs. But he did let her down, though she tumbled right back into his arms.

Queenie barked and yipped, running towards the pair. Summer squealed, her eyes widening in terror. Instantly noticing is, Robert scooped her up out of the puppy’s reach, though the small dog attempted to jump up to reach her. He shouted for Bonzo to take care of the puppy before Summer had a heart attack. The drummer didn’t move quickly enough, forcing Jimmy who really was not that keen on the puppy, to sweep in, pick up the wiggling creature, and hurry away with it. Thrusting the dog into Bonzo’s arms with a growl of his own, he returned back to Robert, figuring the singer would need assistance in calming the frenzied young woman down.

Her dilated eyes were wide and filled with fear. The sweet, small puppy had quickly morphed into a creature unfathomable in any nightmare and she had been ever certain that the beast was going to eat her. Nothing... nothing could save her. Except... except perhaps Robert. His arms did feel strong and protective. But would the beast eat him too? Would this be their last time together on Earth? Would—

“Summer,” Jimmy spoke evenly, turning her face towards his, away from where the puppy had been, “Summer, focus on me.”

“ROBERT!” she screamed, even though she was in his arms. “THERE IS A WIZARD ATTACKING ME!”

“Fuck,” Robert and Jimmy muttered simultaneously.

The dark guitarist quickly backed up, moving out of the girl’s range of vision. He grabbed Bonzo by the collar of his shirt, pulling the drummer and the dog into the mess hall. He glowered at Bonzo before turning to watch the scene out the window, concern clouding his eyes. Watching in silent torture, his dark eyes watched the young woman thrash about, Robert attempting to hold her, to calm her in some manner. Jimmy clenched his fists, hating watching what was happening and the very fact it was happening all at once.

With the puppy at his feet, Bonzo approached Jimmy and the window, “Is she—”

Instincts driven by anger caused Jimmy to whirl around and smash his fist into Bonzo’s nose. The few stragglers in the converted ballroom went completely silent, staring at the normally quiet and withdraw guitarist and the now bleeding drummer. Shaking his hand, instantly regretting using his strumming hand with a couple of concerts left, Jimmy turned his back on Bonzo, looking back out onto the rooftop terrace. Not seeing Summer, panic rose in his soul. Where had she gone in that minute he tore his eyes away from the window?

“Fuck, Pagey,” Bonzo wiped his nose with the back of his arm. “What did you do that f—”

“If you hadn’t fucking given her mescaline, she wouldn’t be freaking out right now,” he growled.

“How was I to know she would have a bad trip?” he retorted.

Jimmy’s eyes stopped their search for the young woman briefly to glare at him, “Why would you even consider for a moment that it was okay?”

“The other girls—”

“Summer isn’t like the other girls, now is she?”

“No.”

Jimmy turned his attention back to the window just as Summer seemingly reappeared from wherever she had been hiding. From Robert’s body language, he knew it wasn’t going well. He desired to be out there assisting, but her reaction to him as a wizard was not only a bad reaction but didn’t sit well with him at all. Sure he played up that perception while he was on stage, but that was different than how he acted around her. It was just the drugs; he needed to remember that. It was just the drugs. Summer did not fear him.

Holding his hands out to her as she got back to her feet, Robert made certain to not make any sudden movements. As she claimed to have been hit by a powerful burst of energy from the dark wizard, thus knocking her from her feet, he knew she was deeply into the hallucinations of mescaline. He needed to get her out of there, get her some place safe. He wanted to take her back to the beach house but Robert was certain her current reactions would not make a car ride that good of an idea. Just getting her downstairs into a room would work, even if he wasn’t technically supposed to be in the Riot.

“Baby,” he spoke softly when her fingers crunched his, “why don’t we go downstairs?”

“Why? Whyshouldwedothat?” she asked quickly.

“Because,” he kissed her forehead gently, “it’s safe down there.”

“WHEREISTHEWIZARD?”

“He’s gone,” Robert responded. “And so is his monster. We should go downstairs now before he returns.”

“Willyouprotectmefromtheevildarkwizard?”

“Always,” he vowed.

“Okay. Let’sgo.”

His eyes flicked to Jimmy and Bonzo in the window before he hurried towards the elevator vestibule. Glancing briefly at the elevator, Robert decided against that in Summer’s current state and pulled her towards the stairs. Rather than listen to her musings about the stairs that he expected to come, he picked her up and quickly descended two flights. Releasing her once they reached the floor, he wondered if any of the rooms were empty. It didn’t really matter all that much, he supposed; he would hide her in Jonesy’s room.

Pausing in front of the bassist’s door, he knocked lightly. Summer began to fidget, attempting to pull her hand free of his. Not knowing what she was seeing, Robert held her tightly, not about to lose her to her hallucinations. The door cracked open, the slightly acrid scent of pot wafting out.

“Jonesy, we need some place to stay tonight,” Robert declared softly.

Opening the door open more fully, he glanced out, “What? Why?”

“Bonzo gave Summer mescaline.”

“Shit,” he muttered, stepping out of his room to stand before the young woman. “Summer, sweetie?”

Her wild eyes snapped to his, “Oh, Papa, are you going to keep the dark wizard away? He wants to steal my soul.”

John Paul looked to Robert who mouthed ‘Jimmy’ in response to the unasked question before replying to her, “Well I am no wizard. But I know that Robert feels great love for you and that can conquer anything.”

“Even dark wizards?”

“Especially dark wizards,” he claimed. “Let’s get you into a room and I’ll seal the door from the dark wizard.”



The sun had long been warming California and no one had seen Robert and Summer. To be honest, only John Paul knew which room they were in and he hadn’t spoken a word indicating he knew that. Instead he kept to himself as per normal, sipping his tea out on the rooftop terrace, reading the day’s news. However Jimmy’s patience was already at its end with the puppy now following him around since Bonzo was no where to be found. Figuring the puppy was Jonesy’s fault and therefore he could take care of her, he headed over to the bassist, sitting abruptly in the chair next to him. He stared intently at John Paul who continued to read the LA Times normally.

“Jonesy,” he finally spoke after a few minutes of staring.

Glancing over the upper edge of the newspaper, he met Jimmy’s eyes, “Good afternoon, Pagey. Lovely weather we’re having, no?”

“You need to take care of the puppy,” he declared.

“And why is that?”

“Because I sure as hell am not!”

John Paul smirked, “Seems she likes you, Pagey.”

Jimmy glanced down at the small puppy who sat at his feet, wagging her tail, “I don’t care. I don’t have the time to care for a puppy. Nor do I know how.”

“It’s not that difficult, perhaps even easier than taking care of Bonzo,” he replied. “Besides I am sure Summer will surface soon and take her puppy back.”

He sighed, “She probably won’t want to be anywhere near me.”

“She looks plenty near you now.”

“Not the dog, Summer,” Jimmy corrected.

“She wasn’t herself last night, Jimmy. I am sure whatever happened between you two was the result of whatever was wrong with her last night.”

“Mescaline. Bonzo gave her mescaline.”

“No shit?”

Jimmy nodded.

“Wait, are you the dark wizard?”

He nodded again.

John Paul smirked, “Well I lead her and Robert to a safe place for them to hide from you. I’m sure they’ll be up soon and she’ll—”

The puppy barking interrupted his words, causing both men to look at the dog and then look to see why she barked. Her dark brown eyes were trained on the elevator door, her little tail wagging. A moment later Robert and Summer stepped out of the lift. Jimmy could not help but hold his breath as his eyes went to hers. Pausing for just a moment, her lips curved into an easy smile and she hurried over to the table. Without asking, Summer plopped down in Jimmy’s lap, rubbing her nose to his.

“Ice cream?” she asked softly, eyes meeting his.

“Uh... of course, princess.”

Summer smiled again before turning serious, “I’m sorry about last night. I don’t think you’re a dark wizard out to steal my soul.”

He chuckled, his arms settling naturally about her waist, “Good. Because I’m not.”

“I... I just had a really bad night.”

“It’s okay. I understand. Sometimes that happens.”

“Have you seen Bonzo?”

His eyes darkened, “No. And I better not.”

Robert squatted to pet the puppy as he finally reached the table where Jimmy, John Paul, and now Summer sat, “Why is that Pagey?”

He glanced at the singer, “Because of what he did to Summer.”

“Oh.”

“Well then we won’t ask him to ice cream with us,” Summer proclaimed. “Can we go soon?”

Jimmy’s attention went back to her, “Of course, Summer. We can go right now.”

“Wonderful,” she grinned. “We’re going to ice cream, Robert. We’ll need to find Queenie’s leash.”

He stood and quickly kissed her, “I’ll check inside.”

Finding not only the leash but Bonzo inside, Robert slowly approached the drummer. He was still greatly upset with his mate, but luckily his rage had been tempered by the night as well as Summer’s kisses that morning. As Bonzo’s eyes met his, he smirked upon seeing bruising on the drummer’s face. Someone had clearly clocked him which made Robert wonder. He didn’t have to ask.

“I suppose you want to hit me too,” Bonzo stated.

“Not any more. Why?”

“Pagey made it very apparent last night that I’m to stay away from Summer.”

“Jimmy hit you?”

He nodded, “I didn’t know she was going to have such a rough time. I just thought it would be... fun.”

“You don’t need to explain anything to me,” Robert said. “But you should go apologize to Summer.”

Bonzo glanced out the window in Summer’s direction, “Uh, mate, she’s sitting in Jimmy’s lap.”

“I know.”

“And you’re okay with that?”

Robert smiled crookedly, “After what we did this morning, I would be okay with just about anything right now.”

“Even Jimmy kissing and feeling her up?”

His eyes darted to the window, but only found Summer sitting as she had been before, talking with John Paul. Nothing looked untoward about it at all. And so he turned quickly and slugged Bonzo in the shoulder. Rather than upset the drummer, it merely made him laugh and turn away from the window, heading over to bother a small group of groupies. While Robert expected Bonzo to come and apologize to Summer, he wasn’t about to force his friend. Perhaps it would keep Summer out of trouble if she didn’t spend time with Bonzo. Jimmy at least wasn’t going to do anything that would potentially hurt her and Jonesy certainly wouldn’t. Bonzo was the only unknown variable in any equation. Summer would be safer without him around to drown or drug her or whatever else her. Definitely.

With the leash in hand, Robert left the converted ballroom and returned to his girlfriend. She quickly left Jimmy’s lap, kissed Robert, and slipped the leash out of his hand. Squatting, she clicked it to her dog’s collar. Straightening up, she bid John Paul farewell, motioned for Jimmy to hurry up, and headed towards the elevator with her puppy. If he hadn’t known better, Robert would never had thought she had tripped on mescaline the night before. She was right back to her happy, sunny self. It was almost as if all the issues of the past few days were gone.

And that thought suddenly bothered him as he followed her to the elevator. It almost seemed contrived. And that could be dangerous.



Seated between Robert and Jimmy on a park bench, Summer happily licked an ice cream cone with three flavors. Both of the men had ice cream as well since Summer insisted. But unlike her, they only had one scoop each. The puppy slept at her feet, using her dirty bare feet as a pillow. No one really spoke for a few moments, giving the ice cream that much importance. But once she made it through her vanilla scoop, Summer was discontent with silence.

“Jimmy,” she turned to her left, “I’m sorry that I called you a dark wizard last night. I don’t actually think you’re an evil wizard.”

“I...”

Her free hand grasped his, “I don’t believe all the nasty rumors about you. I’m sure if any dark-haired man in dark clothes approached me last night I would have thought him a dark wizard too. Hell I thought my puppy a gigantic human-eating beast. I’m sorry, Jimmy.”

“It’s okay, Summer. You weren’t yourself.”

She leaned over and pecked his cheek, “I’m sorry all the same.”

Though he did not really like Summer’s actions, Robert was not so foolish to intervene. She felt she needed to apologize for her drugged behavior and he would not stop her. But it did seemingly effect the flavor of the ice cream so he chucked the remainder of his cone into the nearby trash can. He tried to not focus on the soft conversation between his girl and his mate. Bending over he pet the the dog at her feet, Queenie quickly turned onto her back to expose her belly for rubs. Smiling Robert acquiesced but abruptly stopped because of the turn of conversation between Summer and Jimmy.

“But I don’t want to play with yours, Jimmy,” Summer declared. “It’s your turn to play with mine.”

“I can’t do that, Summer, you know that.”

“Why?” she asked though didn’t seem too concerned as she turned back to her ice cream.

“I just can’t touch something that belongs to someone else.”

“But I want you to.”

“No.”

Robert’s mind raced. Had Summer just asked Jimmy for sexual favors? Had their lovemaking as the sun rose not been enough? But Jimmy was telling her no. Was he only saying that because Robert sat on her right? While that was a bit of a relief, he also found himself thinking that Jimmy was a fool to say no to Summer. He knew exactly what Jimmy gave up. But no he did not want to share Summer. Why did she think it okay?

“Summer, I don’t think—”

“That it’s a good idea to be learning how to play my own guitar?” Summer looked to the blond man.

Surprise shined in his eyes, “No. I thought... it doesn’t matter what I thought. The point is you should definitely be playing your own guitar.”

“See?” she turned back to Jimmy. “After ice cream we’ll get my guitar and a change of clothes. Then you can teach me a new song.”



As the trip and the puppy entered the lobby of the Riot, the front desk agent flagged them over. Summer wasn’t paying any attention at all. Instead her eyes were intently focused on the gaggle of girls kept away from the band by a handful of dangerous looking men. Even with the barrier between, the highly made up girls were preening, attempting to get Robert’s or Jimmy’s attention. Suddenly overcome with a possessive streak, she hadn’t felt in awhile, Summer set down her guitar and quickly turned to Robert. Pushing up on her bare little toes, her mouth smashed upon his. Pleasantly surprised Robert joined wholeheartedly in the passionate kiss, insomuch his hand drifted to her ass, causing the short flirty skit to ride up.

The kiss ended just as Jimmy returned to their sides, a slip of paper in his fingers. With a snide glance to the very apparently jealous girls, Summer did not hesitate to kiss Jimmy as well, though very briefly and without her tongue slipping past her lips. Both of the men’s eyes widened slightly, but Summer turned the to the elevator before anyone saw that glimpse of surprise. Taking two steps she suddenly remember her guitar, released both men and turned to grab it. Eyes connecting with one of the Barbie girls, Summer briefly sneered before returning to the men.

“Uh, Summer?” Robert muttered as they entered the elevator.

Her eyes flicked to his, seeing confusion and jealousy, “I...”

“What the fuck was that all about?” he demanded once the stainless doors closed.

The puppy whimpered.

“Those whores needed to know you are mine,” she claimed.

“But Jimmy too?”

Her eyes flicked to the silent guitarist, “I didn’t want him to feel left out.”

“Fuck, Summer, really?”

She looked back at him, seeing anger in his eyes, “It was just a kiss, Robert. It didn’t mean anything.”

“It was not just a kiss and you know it.”

“It wasn’t any different than when I kissed Bonzo.”

“You kissed Bonzo!? When!?”

The elevator chimed and the doors opened. For a long tense minute all three remained standing where they were. Robert was waiting for an answer, Summer was frozen in fear, Jimmy was slightly amused. But no one moved until the puppy chose to pull on her leash, seeing Bonzo down the hallway. Releasing the purple leash, Summer watched as Queenie barreled down the corridor.

“It was weeks ago and I felt absolutely nothing. It was like kissing a wall,” Summer claimed and stepped out of the lift.

Robert quickly followed, “And kissing Jimmy is like that?”

Pausing she turned, her eyes going to Jimmy’s briefly before meeting Robert’s, “Yes.”

Robert sighed, “Then why do it?”

“Why do you moan on stage?”

“It’s part of the experience.”

“You mean act.”

“Fine,” he conceded.

“Downstairs was just an act,” she claimed.

“Even kissing me?”

“Fuck, Percy, give her a break,” Jimmy interjected, thrust the paper at him, and stepped around the couple. “And go call Bob.”

“Bob?”

“Dylan. Your girlfriend’s father,” he responded before stalking to his room.

Glancing at the note, he nodded, turning to find a vacant room to make the call. Standing where she had stopped, Summer hesitated to follow. She knew why Robert was upset, he had every right to be. She shouldn’t have kissed Jimmy, not right then, not ever, especially since she kinda did feel something. He was right to be angry with her. She was—

“Are you coming?” he stopped in front of a door and turned to her.

“You want me to?” she responded.

“Of course I do, baby,” Robert replied. “It is your father after all.”

“But aren’t you mad at me?”

His eyes held hers, “Honestly, yes. But we can talk about it in private.”

Slipping under his arm to enter the room, she stopped, “Queenie.”

Robert glanced down at the puppy who was tugging on something with Bonzo,” She’ll be fine.”

“Okay,” she fully entered the room and sat on the bed.

Her expectant blue eyes watched Robert enter the room, locking the door behind him. He approached the bed, paper still in his hand. Without speaking he bent down and kissed her hard. His hands possessively grabbed her as his tongue invaded her mouth. She knew without told that he was asserting his primacy over her. And while they always made love with great passion, Robert’s feral energy was quickly arousing her. Summer moaned into his kiss, her fingers flexing around his arm muscles. Robert pressed and she eagerly laid back.

Her hands slipped between them, deftly unfastening his jeans. Within seconds of her releasing him, Robert pushed up her skirt, parted her legs, and thrust into her. Only then did he release her from the possessive kiss.

“Who do you love?”

“You,” she moaned.

“Who do you belong to?”

“Oh god, you.”

“Whose arms—”

“You, you, you. Oh god,” she groaned. “I love you and only you, daddy.”

Kissing her once more his hands quickly released her small breasts from her tube top. Nearly frantically he pumped into her, his hands squeezing her small breast. He kissed and nibbled on her flesh, leaving red marks on her creamy skin – many that would be visible when she got dressed again.

Their love making was quick and frantic. Their bodies rippled in ecstasy within minutes of their joining, Summer screaming his name. Robert remained deeply buried in her body until neither of them pulsed. Withdrawing quickly, his palm covered her sex, sealing his seed inside of her. While his anger had been replaced with passion, the image of Jimmy and his girlfriend kissing flashed once more in his mind.

“I am yours,” she vowed softly, reaching up to caress his cheeks. “I am yours.”

He leaned down and kissed her gently, “Do not forget that.”

“Never,” she pulled his hand from her sex and kissed his palm, licking the slight moisture that had briefly flowed onto his hand. “Always yours.”

Robert kissed her once more, “Promise me you won’t kiss him again.”

“I promise all of my kissed to you.”



Opening the door without knocking as was his habit, Bonzo entered Jimmy’s room with Queenie. The young puppy barked and hurried over to the surly-looking guitarist as he wiped his nose with the back of his hand. He paid little attention as she yipped and attempted to jump into his lap. Instead Jimmy just glared at the drummer.

“What the hell is your problem?”

“Currently you,” he responded.

“Uh huh,” he opened one of Jimmy’s mini-fridges and removed a beer.

“Summer is in trouble... with Robert.”

Cracking open the can he faced the guitarist, “Why?”

“She kissed me.”

“Now, mate, it meant nothing. Just because the two of you shared ice cream that night doesn’t mean—”

“Wait. How do you know about that?”

“You mean that’s not what you’re talking about?”

Jimmy blinked, not noticing the puppy had left to chew on one of his shoes, “No. Did Summer tell you about that night?”

“Yea. Did she kiss you again?”

“A little bit ago. What did she tell you?”

“Just enough for me to know how guilty she felt. Why did she kiss you?” Bonzo asked.

“To make the LA Queens jealous. How long have you known?”

He chuckled, “That’s my girl. Doesn’t really want to be a part of them but still sticks it to them.”

“How long have you known?” Jimmy repeated.

Bonzo gulped his beer, “Summer came crying to me that night. You got to leave her alone, Pagey.”

“She was crying?”

“Yea.”

Jimmy sighed, “I never want her to cry.”

“None of us do, Pagey. You just can’t come between her and Percy and everything will be okay,” he remarked. “Except perhaps your shoes.”

“My shoes?”

Bonzo motioned to the puppy slobbering all over Jimmy’s leather platforms.

“QUEENIE!”



“We need to call Bob,” Robert stated softly, his fingers drawing lazy patterns on Summer’s flat stomach.

“Why?” her hooded eyes glanced at her lover.

“I don’t know. There was just a note with a number for us to call,” he claimed before pushing away from her to find the slip of paper.

Quickly shuffling through their discarded clothing and then the bedclothes, Robert frowned. While they had made passionate love for the past hour, he hadn’t thought he would lose the piece of hotel stationary. Of anything to lose that was certainly not it; he hadn’t really read the number enough to memorize it. Maybe the person at the front desk would be able to – no, he wasn’t really supposed to even be there. They were—

Summer erupted into giggles, drawing Robert’s attention. His eyes quickly scanned her naked body; his own reaction so quickly he nearly forgot about her giggles. Nearly.

“What’s so funny?” he asked.

“Turn around,” she instructed.

Doing as she asked he glanced over his shoulder as she crawled towards him. Summer kissed his back, her short nails scratching down his spine in waves. Abruptly stopping, Robert was about to ask why until he felt her pull something from his back.

“What—”

She held the small paper over his shoulder, “I think you were looking for this.”

Laughing himself, Robert accepted the small piece of stationary. Turning over the creased strip, he pulled away from Summer’s touch and rounded the bed to where the phone was. He quickly dialed the number as Summer moved to join him. Setting the paper down as the phone rang, Robert picked up her left hand and kissed her ring.

A gruff voice answered, “Hello?”

“Hello, Bob. It’s Robert returning your call.”

“It’s about time. I only called four hours ago. Is my daughter with you?”

“Of course. Would you like to talk to her?”

Bob ignored the question, “Bring her to Di Vita’s. I would like to have dinner with the two of you.”

“But—”

“Six o’clock. Be there.”

The line went dead.

“What did he want?” Summer asked as Robert hung up the phone.

“We better get dressed, baby. We need to be across town in thirty minutes to have dinner with your father.”