by Writing Shark
You reach one goal and a new one opens up right away
You drive fast and after a short time you let your car roll into the driveway of the house where Elise and her mother Amy live.
Alice didn’t sound good when you spoke to her, surely the very things you foresaw for that evening happened. You let the car roll out and look out the window. Your daughter is nowhere to be seen, not already waiting for you, a clear sign that something is very wrong. Instead of your beloved Alice, you see her friend Elise. You sigh, but it has to be.
You don’t feel like talking to the spoiled brat of wasted Amy, but your daughter needs you. Besides, it would be far more annoying to meet her mother yourself. Where Elise is opinionated, annoying, and tainted by a single woman, Amy has just become obnoxious. The mother of Elise is about the same age as your wife, but has not enjoyed your successful lovingly indoctrination, nor any other male influence in life, and it shows at every point.
But you’re not here for Elise, nor for Amy, even though you fondly remember the days when Amy was less annoying and more approachable to you.
“Hello, Mister Winters,” Elise greets, her voice sly. What has this beast done now?
“Where’s my daughter Elise?” Your voice leaves no doubt about your seriousness, but Elise just passes it over.
“Are you trying to kidnap her from her own birthday?” She grins cheekily but you already start moving. The young girl has to hurry to keep up beside you.
“You’re her friend,” you say, “unfortunately.” You don’t hold back with Elise. You’re sure Connor is the root of the trouble, but Elise is no better. Damn free spirit! You need to be put over your knee, hard. “What happened?”
“You’d better let your daughter tell you herself when you kidnap her from her party,” Elise says defiantly. She puts her friendship before your duty to protect your daughter. With that, the stupid, annoying girl with the stupid, annoying mother moves to second place on your hit list. Elise seems to instinctively sense what’s going on inside you, and even though she seems to be trying to frame you, she rushes in front of you. “I’ll show you the way. It’s upstairs in my room.”
“I know the way” you say and just push her aside. You don’t need permission from a cocky 20 year old girl to enter her own room in her own house. If this brat has a problem with you, you still have enough capital with her mother to sort it out.
“This is my room.”
“And this is my daughter.” You turn to the girl and finally the situation gets through to her narrow-minded skull. She freezes as she sees your ice cold face. “What did she tell you Elise?”
“It was Connor” the girl immediately betrays her friends and her own principles. Ha. Maybe you’ll turn into a nice girl after all. “He hurt her, I think.” Almost ashamed, she looks down. “He said he loved her… but…”
“I know,” is all you say. Elise is too lost to be of any use to you.
“I made her cry” Elise confesses but you stop listening. It’s nothing new that inexperienced women confide in you, feel safe with you, or are so afraid of you that they don’t dare to contradict you. But even that is not important now.
You don’t waste any more thoughts on this rotten family. Alice is important now.
You leave Elise at the front door and enter the house you haven’t been in for years. Not much has changed. Today, teenagers stand everywhere and stare at you while horrible music comes way too loud from the stereo. You still know the way and a short time later you are standing in front of the right room.
You don’t knock but simply step into the room. And there is your daughter, lying on her friend’s bed. When she hears the door open, she turns around. Her face is puffy with tears, something Connor didn’t manage to do, but her own friend did. That can only help you.
“Dad,” your daughter breathes, struggling to get up. She’s almost done before you’ve crossed the room. Your heavy body makes the mattress sink in and Alice slides to your side. Immediately she has snuggled up to you and you no longer have to play the caring father.
“I’m here honey.” You don’t ask what happened. Women are emotional beings, for Alice it doesn’t matter what happened. Only that you are there. You will resolve the situation even if she says nothing. Instead, Alice cries at your side and her tears soak your shirt. Your daughter rubs her face against your chest and her dainty hands cling to you while your strong arms embrace her body. Your hands are on her head and shoulder, controlling her, making her feel safe and secure as they hold your daughter close to you. And Alice enjoys it. You realize it, the intimate desperation of doing something that is wrong but feels so right.
You have reached your goal. From today, Alice will be yours.
You don’t ask her opinion or what she wants most. You don’t give her alternatives or plan with her. All this is unimportant for a girl, a perfect, beautiful, faithful girl like your Alice. You are her father and you decide.
“Come on” you whisper, lifting her head that is weakly in your hands, and wiping the tears from her cheek with your thumb. Alice smiles at you, not hiding her love for you. You help her sit up, wipe her face again, then rise and pull her up. Alice sinks to your chest and you hold her for a few more minutes.
Then you take Alice by the hand, she closes her fingers around you, and you lead your daughter out of the room. Outside the door stands Elise, she has not dared to come into her own room and looks at you. You pay no attention to her, just take care of your daughter, and lead her down the stairs.
At the bottom, the crowd of guests parts for you and all stare at Alice as you gently lead her by her hand behind you.
“Alice!” You were hoping this would happen. Connor shows courage. Too little, too late. You are stronger and as the boy gets in your way you simply push him aside. Connor crashes hard into a group of guests who catch him staggering. Alice pays no attention to them or Connor as you lead her to the car.
You put her on the passenger side, lift her leg into the compartment and lean past her to buckle her in. Your bodies get very close and you take care of your daughter, making sure she’s safe. It’s a perfect moment, knowing what’s to come.
But there is one person you underestimated.
Writing Shark 