by Writing Shark
Alice understands what you tell her
Alice Winters can no longer stay in her chair. She never thought the evening would go like this. Of course she didn’t object when her father took her to dinner, she never does. Her father is…her father. She only has one and she sees from her best friend Elise what can happen when a dad isn’t around. And her dad still lets her spend time with her, even though she knows how much that pisses him off.
Alice quickly gets up from her chair, circles the table and hugs her dad in front of everyone in the restaurant. At first she felt uncomfortable here, alone with him. She was nervous, not knowing what to expect. It’s not always easy for her to do what’s expected of her and her dad is especially strict, she knows that. And her friends, especially Elise, often remind her of that.
But in these situations, however rare they may be, Alice is so infinitely glad to have her dad by her side. Yes, he is strict and expects a lot. Yes, she sometimes wishes he would give her more affection. And yes, sometimes it is hard. After all, she is 20 years old.
But still a tear runs down her cheek while she hugs her dad and holds him as tight as she can. She knows she doesn’t have the strength to crush his big, strong body and it feels so good to be able to hug him again. And he said I can do this more often now, right? Alice does not know if this is true. She can’t think clearly at this moment. Somehow she knows it’s not normal to be so attached to her father at 20, but she doesn’t mind. It feels right.
And then he closes his arms around her as well and Alice is so happy. He feels it too! He wants to hug me too! She squeezes even tighter and feels his hands on her slight back. No matter how insecure she feels in his world, no matter how rarely the two of them hug, now everything is different. Even better!
“Does that mean we hug more often now dad?” She has to ask it. Even though he said it, Alice doesn’t know what his words mean. But he does, and he’s there for her.
“Yes honey. You’re ready.” His deep voice resonates in her chest and she smells the perfume her mother puts on him every morning. “I’ve made you into the girl I’ve always seen in you and I couldn’t be prouder.”
“Dad…” Alice has to sob. Valerie would tease her for that but her dad taught Alice that a woman has more freedom than a man and Alice is so grateful to her father for taking care of her. “Thanks dad… thanks…”
“No problem Muffin” she hears him say. Then his strong hands close around her waist and gently push her away from him. Her fingers close around his shoulders, not wanting to let him go but still Alice lets her father lead her. She looks at his face, he has never looked so proud and content. She wants to make him always so happy and satisfied.
“What are my duties dad?” she eagerly wants to know. It’s not bad that she has more duties. Her father taught his daughters early on that they have to work for rewards. That’s life. And unlike other parents, even Alice knows now, her dad’s rewards are hard-earned but all the better for it.
“Good girl,” he smiles, and she’s proud. “Sit down.”
“Yeah.” It pains her a little to let him go but she follows his request and sits down again.
“Now that I’m giving you more freedom I want you to tell me about your life in return. You’re 20, I know, but…”
“Don’t worry dad,” she interrupts him, biting her tongue. But he nods at her, making her proud. “I don’t even know how to lie to you.”
“I know,” he grins with satisfaction. And it’s the truth. Even if he is strict, in her short life Alice Winters has already learned that it doesn’t pay to lie to a man who invests money, time and other resources in her. Alice knows how important she is to him. Lying doesn’t fit into her life. “But you will experience new things, have new adventures, come to new realizations. I’m taking a risk giving you so much freedom, you know that.” Alice nods eagerly. “And I’m giving you a lot of freedom.” Her father leans across the table, his shoulders span under his shirt, and briefly Alice is captivated and intimidated by his body, but then she looks back into his eyes and recognizes the warmth and affection in them. Her father is a big, strong, sometimes brutal man. But he means only well. “The only duty I impose on you for your birthday is that you tell me, or at least your mother, everything that concerns you, worries you, or can otherwise get you into trouble, okay?”
“Yes father.” She only calls him ‘father’ when she’s really serious, and her dad knows that.
“Good, I don’t want you to think we’re giving up on you Alice. Your mom and I will always be here for you.”
“I know dad. And I’ll tell you everything that’s on my mind.” His smile is warm and heartfelt as he pops a piece of bread into his mouth. After he finishes eating, he continues.
“You will feel and experience things that you don’t know and that scare you. Things and experiences that you can’t place. And you will have experiences that are not good for you.” These words scare her. “That’s part of being 20 honey. And whenever you’re scared or confused, you come to me or your mother, okay?”
“Yes father.” Alice feels the gnawing excitement in her belly, the cold tingle of something new on the back of her neck, and her abdomen tightens excitedly at the thought of being released into a new, bigger world. There are enough examples of failed women in her life. The mother of Elise is one such example, and Alice knows that her daughter will manage no better. That her father accompanies her on this path makes her happy.
Writing Shark 