“Your dad’s here.”
“He is? What’s he doing here?”
“He said something about him and Catalina working on something together downstairs.”
“You good? I gotta go see him for a minute.”
She pulled out of my arms and wiped her face with a nod.
“I’m fine, go ahead.” She didn’t look or sound fine but me standing there like an ass wasn’t going to change that shit. I need to take care of this so that I can get the look of my daughter and wife’s disappointed faces out of my head.
Today was the first time I gave serious thought to letting her go. Last year she was entirely too young, so I could live more easily with my decision. But I’m not too dumb to realize that my child has grown up. And nothing, not even the boy waiting in the wing, is enough for me to put that look on her face.
I know her mother and mine thinks I’m an archaic cave dwelling fuck who doesn’t want my daughter to leave the nest. That might be true in part, but there’s another side to that shit. The side that wants my kid to have everything she wants in life.
It took seeing that look on her face. If she’d looked disappointed I could’ve dealt with that shit, but my baby looked…hurt. If there’s one thing I won’t do, it’s hurt her, not now not ever. So I’m gonna have to get my shit together so I can give my kid what she wants.
I remembered just then what I’d seen and overheard over the holidays when the kid was here. How he’d had my daughter’s name tattooed over his heart. Could still hear the words he’d said to my girl. That no matter how long it takes he’d wait for her. Looks like it’s about that time I have a talk with the boy.
Because regardless of what they think, all I want is to be certain that whoever I pass my kid off to will take care of her the way I do or better. I’m not about to let some hormonal fuck get his paws on my kid only to move on when something else comes along.
I’m fucked if my kid is going to live like that. I didn’t put her mother through that shit and any asshole who tries it with one of my little girls is not going to be long for this world. The fuck!
I found the pothead in the basement doing what he always does, stinking up my place with his shit. “Hey boy how’s it hanging? You seen Catalina around? We’re supposed to be working on some things but I can’t seem to find her anywhere.”
“Who knows? I got a problem old man.”
“Shit, what did you do now? Why is it always something with you?” This fuck!
“I had to tell Caitiebear she can’t go away to school a year early.”
He stopped with the joint halfway to his lips.
He didn’t say anything for the longest, just stared at me. “I would ask why you did a thing like that… again, but I know what I raised, you’re no fool. So I have to surmise that you have your reasons. This won’t have anything to do with what you and those boys are into would it?” I didn’t answer because he’s another one I try to protect. That’s his granddaughter after all.
“Whatever it is, fix it. There’s nothing worth crushing your child’s dreams for. That’s why I fought your mother tooth and nail to let you go your own way when you wanted to. If you need me I’m here. I know I don’t have to tell you that, but I want it out there all the same.”
Damn, just when I thought there was no hope for him and the few brain cells he hadn’t already fried with his shit. “Thanks dad.” I turned and headed back up the stairs. That was one short ass conversation but I got what I needed.
I knew that he at least would see through the bullshit and know that I wasn’t doing this shit for kicks. That I had to have a good reason other than the boy for disappointing my kid.
“Wait, where’s the kid?”
“Fuck if I know, find the dog and you’ll probably find her.” I don’t have time to go searching in corners for her and shit; as long as I don’t smell smoke we’re good.
MANCINI
“Uncle Hank.”
“Yes sweetheart, what is it, you okay?”
“Yep, uh-huh. Uncle Hank did the baby come yet?”
“No sweetheart. Didn’t I tell you your mom and dad are going to bring you out here first thing as soon as she’s born?”
“I know. Uncle Hank.”
“Yes sweetie.”
“Did you guys get all the bad guys yet?”
“Come again?”
“I’m not asking for me, it’s for Caitlin.”
“Caitlin? What happened to Caitlin? What’s going on?”
“Well it’s like this. Caitlin studied really hard to get all the points so she could go to school with Todd. But now daddy won’t let her go because of the bad guys. So you and the uncles have to get them quick so she can go because it’s not fair.”