American Honey

Chapter Four

~ Age 19 ~

Tanner

“Shh,” Rhea says as she runs her hands through my hair. I’ve been doing it all day after I caught my dad and Rhea’s mama at the diner a few miles out of town.

I left early that morning to go pick up a glass blown flower for Rhea’s birthday present. She’s been collecting blown glass pieces for as long as I can remember. I found this one piece online and I knew I had to get it. It was four calla lilies with long stems that were formed into the shape of a heart. It was different, like nothing I’ve ever seen before and perfect for Rhea.

I called the store and they said they only had one left and they would hold it for me but I had to come that day, the day of the party, to get it or they would put it back on the shelf. I couldn’t risk losing this gift for her sweet sixteen birthday, she’s my everything and I want to give her a symbol of how much she means to me.

I got up, got ready and headed out for the hour drive but decided to stop for some breakfast about forty-five minutes out of town. I thought I recognized my daddy’s truck but didn’t put much thought into it because why would he be here if our house and his work were in the other direction. I walked into the diner and asked to be seated in a booth.

“Follow me right this way,” the hostess said.

We walked past a couple of tables and I heard a laugh that sounded a lot like Daisy’s, Rhea’s mama, but again I pushed the thought away. I guess I was worried about Rhea’s surprise being ruined and wasn’t paying attention to the obvious happening right before my eyes.

The hostess stopped and placed the menu on the table. I sat down and picked up the menu.

“Your waitress will be right out.” Then she turned on her heel and left.

I heard silverware clatter against a plate. I lowered my menu to see what happened and that’s when I saw them. My daddy and Rhea’s mama, sitting at the table having breakfast, and to make matters worse, they were sitting next to each other rather than across from one another. Obviously intentional based on their proximity to each other and the intimate glances they were sharing with one another.

After sitting there staring at them I slowly slid out of the booth. I needed someone to pinch me, tell me this isn’t real. That I’m seeing things or that this isn’t what it looks like. It can’t be what it looks like, right? My mind is trying to convince me of the latter but I know in my heart that what I’m seeing is my new reality. I’m not even sure how I made my body move towards them but there was no avoiding this scenario.

“Son,” Dad addressed me, obviously in a state of unaffected panic.

“Don’t Son me.” I seethed.

Daisy had her head down, not making eye contact at all and I swear I heard her whimper.

“Tanner,” Dad tries again. “I can explain.”

I laugh, “Yeah, I’m sure you can. Happy birthday, son, I’m fucking my best friend’s wife.”

“You will not speak like that to me.” Dad said angrily.

Daisy is softly crying into her napkin; throw the book at her, she’s guilty as charged.

At this point, the other patrons in the restaurant have stopped to watch the show that no amount of money can possibly buy. I don’t even care, if they want a show, they’re damn sure gonna get one.

“How’s Eddie, Daisy?” I asked. “I heard he’s been working a lot. I guess this would explain why that is right? Does he know?” I look at my dad. “Does Mom know? Is this why she’s barely functioning, barely living?” I laugh once. “Oh wait, you wouldn’t know that since you hardly come home.” I shake my head. “Always working, you told me. I didn’t realize that working on Project Daisy is what paid the bills.”

My dad slammed his fist on the table, “Enough.”

My head falls back and I laugh harder, “Enough? Oh no. I’m just getting started. Do you even fathom what each of your acts of selfishness has done and will do to both of our families? Do you fucking realize that you have now officially crossed the friend line and there’s not a chance in hell you can ever go back? Do you?” I scream at them. I see the manager of the diner heading our way so I turn on my heel to leave.

“Tanner!” My dad yelled after me but I didn’t bother to turn around.

I’m done with him, his bullshit, and his lectures. I’m just done.

I lay Rhea down on the blanket that I have spread out on the line of dogwood trees that separates our property. It’s a secluded line of trees that divides the back of the property and blocks the view from the street. The fence around the swimming pool blocks the view to Rhea’s house and a large pine tree blocks the view to my house. It’s where we’ve shared so many of our firsts: our first kiss, our first make out session, the first time she’s given me a blow job and the first time I’ve ate her out. God help me but I’m hoping that tonight’s the first time we make love because I’m on the edge and it’s a vast precipice that only Rhea can save me

from at this point. This isn’t something I’m going to share with her; it isn’t something I could tell her on our birthday. So I need to lose myself in her, in us, knowing that we have tonight and I’ll deal with all of the fucked up bullshit later. And try to protect her from the inevitable fallout as much as possible.

I lose myself in the gorgeous girl next to me. Her hair is up in a messy bun, and she’s dressed in a tight tank top and short gym shorts. I love that she knows that she doesn’t have to dress up for me. I slide a hand under her tank top; her stomach is tight and so warm.

I kiss her neck, “I’m sorry I never showed.”