I glare at my stainless steel coffee maker. I should get some color, but not red. Red is…well…I should avoid that. I’ll have to see what her favorite color is. Hopefully not red. Damn, maybe I should’ve put a camera in her bedroom. It’s really for her own safety. It’s not like an intruder is going to walk in the front door. Smart ones will go in through the windows. I clap my hands together. Tonight, I’ll add the bedroom camera. The bathroom is unnecessary. At this point, it’s unnecessary. I may have to make adjustments later—-for her sake, of course. Not for mine. In fact, if she’s in bed, I won’t even look at her. I’m just watching the windows and doors. That’s my main concern. Just her safety. Yup. Yup.
Chapter Four
Quinn
I lie on the sofa lifting my feet into the air, stretching them out. My thick fluffy socks are pulled up to my knees. I say a small prayer that my dad doesn’t pick up the phone. It’s Friday and I’m supposed to call every Friday at seven o’clock on the dot or I’ll never hear the end of it. I mean, how many college students are home on a Friday night at that time? I know he does it on purpose to still have some sort of control over my life.
Each call is the same. Him grilling me about changing my major. Reiterating that I should move back home next semester so that I can attend college and still live under his roof. I’ll never understand why he cares so much about where I live. Even when I did live at home he was never there.
“Miss Parson.” Trudy, his assistant, answers the phone. He must have his calls forwarded to her.
“Hey,” I greet her. She’s worked for my dad for so long that she’s like an aunt to me.
“He’s stuck in a meeting.” She lets out a sigh, clearly not happy with him about missing the call. It’s okay for him to miss this call but if the shoe were on the other foot, I’d never hear the end of it.
“It’s cool.” Why do I feel disappointed? When I called I was hoping he wouldn’t answer. It’s probably because once again I’m not a priority to him. I never was and I never will be. I have to learn to accept it.
“How is school?” she asks with genuine concern in her voice. “Are you still liking your roommate?”
“Everything is good. I still suck at math and Trinity hasn’t moved out yet so I’m taking that as a good sign that she still seems to like me. Don’t tell Dad but she’s dragging me out to a party tonight.”
“You make it sound like that’s a bad thing, Quinn. You should be going out and having fun.” This sofa is fun. It’s comfy like my socks. What happened to the whole Netflix and chill craze? Did I miss that fad? When is Trin going to fall into that one?
“I know. I’m going.” I let out a long sigh, sitting up. “You know I don’t like crowds.” I keep thinking of all the movies I’ve seen. Those frat houses are always crammed with people. The music blaring. It isn’t only the crowds but the idea of being trapped, unable to move.
“Yes, but the best way to get over these things is to face them.”
“Are you going to hold a spider?”
“There is no reason I need to hold a spider. That is not a skill I’ll ever need for everyday life.” I fight a laugh at her stern tone. “You’re a brat.” I sit up laughing, crossing my legs under me.
“I’m going. I might find some hot guy I can bring home on my next break. Surprise Dad. I bet he’d love that.”
“Ha ha. Let’s not push it. Getting him to agree to let you go out of state for college was hard enough.” That had taken both of us. Thank God Trudy is always on my side. She has a way with my dad. She’s the only one that can ever seem to get through to him. “He wants you to call him tomorrow. Can you swing that?”
“Oh, you know me. My Saturdays are packed full. Let me check my busy social calendar to see if I have an opening.”
“This new college is making you sassy. I like it.” I smile into the phone. “Have fun but be safe. I love you,” she tells me.
“I love you, too.” I end the call. Trin comes bouncing in the front door a minute later.
“You’ve got to get better at locking the door,” she tells me.
“Sorry.” It isn’t a habit I am used to. I also don’t want to admit it wasn’t a habit because at home no one could get near our front door. You had to pass through the front gate that had a guard at it. My dad does not mess around when it comes to safety.