The Assignment

Kiki fidgeted, looking like she was ready to run out the door. I figured maybe if we took part in an activity, she’d loosen up.

“Let’s wait in line for the photo booth.”

I led the way, and she reluctantly followed. There were all kinds of props on a table near the booth: feather boas, hats, masquerade masks, and pom-poms.

I put on a top hat, and Kiki chose a blue boa to match her dress. When it was our turn, we made our way inside the booth. Kiki pressed the button before I was ready, and the flashes started. While I stuck out my tongue, Kiki stuck her middle finger up. Maybe that was inappropriate, but I couldn’t even be mad at her. It made me crack up, which proved I might not be cut out to parent children someday. All of the photos after that ended up being me laughing at her giving the finger. Such a sweet memento we’d be bringing back to Aspyn.

Kiki and I waited for our photo strips to develop, and then I tucked them into my pocket.

When the DJ started playing “Daughters” by John Mayer, he encouraged the girls to grab their dads and head out to the dance floor.

I nudged Kiki. “We should go, too.”

She wrapped her hands around her arms and shook her head.

Damn. I had really hoped the night would go better than this. I thought once we got here, she’d feel better. I guess I was delusional in assuming I could hand her a flower and make everything better. But that Maisy girl really was an asshole—just like her father. And honestly, they were both just the way I used to be in school. It took one to know one.

While everyone else was dancing, Kiki and I watched from the sidelines. I needed to somehow save this night—either that, or give in and take her somewhere else. But I couldn’t just stand here and do nothing.

“I’ll be right back,” I told her as I left her momentarily.

I walked over to the DJ booth and explained the situation to the teenager in charge of the music tonight. I slipped him a fifty, asking that he pick a song that would be appropriate for Kiki and me to dance to.

After the Mayer song ended, everyone dispersed.

The DJ took to the mic and said, “This next one is a special request. I’d like to call Troy and Kiki out to the dance floor. This song is for anyone here who thinks it’s cool to bully someone just because they don’t have a dad. I’m one of those kids whose dad isn’t here, too. And let me just say…” He paused. “Well, I’ll let the song say it. Keep your head up, Kiki.”

Kiki’s eyes widened. Pointing my head in the direction of the dance floor, I somehow managed to get her to take my hand and follow me.

At first, the song was just a pleasant and light melody, fast but easy to dance to. I began to clap my hands, shake my hips, and stomp my feet in an attempt to get Kiki to dance with me. Instead, she was stoic, refusing to move as I danced around her.

Then the lyrics of the song came in.

“Fuck you.”

It was just those words, over and over again.

Kiki started to crack up, jumping up and down and getting into the music. She seemed to think this was the funniest thing ever.

Meanwhile, I froze and stopped dancing. Shit. What have I done?

I recognized the song now, the aptly named “Fuck You” by Lily Allen.

My eyes darted over to the teenager at the helm. I threw my hands up and mouthed, What the fuck is wrong with you?

He shrugged.

With each fuck you Lily belted out, Kiki laughed harder. It seemed she’d finally broken through her funk. So rather than demand he change the song, I let it roll. Whatever made her happy at this point.

I looked around to find the eyes of every guy and little girl in the room on me.

It might be time to go.

As the song wound down, I turned to Kiki. “Want to go grab a burger or something?”

“Yeah.” She smiled, looking genuinely at ease for the first time tonight.

We ran out of there like two bats out of hell. We’d left our mark on the dance, just not the way I’d envisioned.

• • •

Kiki and I ended up at Wonder Diner, one of the oldest and greatest institutions in all of Meadowbrook. I texted Aspyn to tell her where we were and said I’d fill her in on the rest later but assured her all was well.

“Everyone’s gonna be talking about that song next week,” Kiki said.

“I would never have chosen that song. I only asked him to pick something that would send a message to Maisy.”