Chapter 13 Bad Daddy
675 Words
Daddy called Mommy's name, then didn't do anything.
I thought Daddy was being spacey.
But the second I had that thought, I sneaked a peek at Mommy.
If she knew I called Daddy spacey, she'd definitely scold me.
But why won't Mommy wake up?
"Daddy, find a doctor for me and Mommy. I want Mommy to get better. I want to touch Mommy. I don't want to be a bubble anymore."
The clock on the nightstand goes around once. Mommy told me that means one minute.
When it goes around five times, Daddy finally moves.
He walks out, face cold.
Mommy said that's what Daddy looks like when he's thinking, when he's mad, and I should stay away from him when he gets like that.
I listen to Mommy, shrink into the corner of the room.
But for some reason, when Daddy leaves the room, my body follows him against my will.
"No — I want to stay with Mommy."
I wave my hand, try to make my disobedient feet stop.
But no matter how much I say no, I end up next to Daddy anyway.
Estate foyer.
Daddy on the couch, several bodyguards standing across from him.
I recognize a few of the bodyguard guys. One of them is Marcus, the one who helped me deliver the pendant.
I go over to Marcus, say thank you.
Then I go back to Daddy.
I whisper next to him: "Daddy, what are you doing?"
"Daddy, when are we going to Mommy?"
"Daddy, I don't want to stay here."
"Daddy, you look scary right now."
"Daddy, when are you getting a doctor? Mommy's still sick."
I keep chattering, but Daddy can't hear me.
But I'm kind of glad he can't, because otherwise he'd snap at me to go back to my room.
Thinking Daddy can't see me, I make a funny face at him.
I'm about to do more, but then Daddy speaks.
I freeze, then sit down quiet to listen.
Daddy says cold: "I had you stand guard here, and this is how you do it?!"
"Something happens inside and you don't even know. The bedroom light doesn't even work. What do I pay you for?"
Everyone goes silent, which just makes Daddy madder.
His eyes lock on one person, and I look over.
It's the guy who once set the dogs on me. Wallace.
"Give me an explanation!"
Wallace's eyes dart away for a second, then he says: "Mrs. Hale told us not to go inside."
"Mommy never talked to you, you liar!" I yell at him.
Then I turn to Daddy: "He's lying."
Wallace goes quiet after that.
Then Marcus, the one who helped with the pendant, steps forward.
He says: "After Mrs. Hale's last visit, she told us to stand guard and not interfere. She said it was your order. We were just following orders."
After he says this, Wallace shoots Marcus a dark look.
And Daddy narrows his eyes. For a second, "Mrs. Hale" sounds sharp in his ears.
If Vivienne couldn't get out, then the one who came and went freely could only be Genevieve.
He lifts his eyes, looks cold at the group.
These people — they have to go.
Daddy kicks them all out, then sits silent on the couch, takes the pendant out of his pocket.
He sighs: "Vivienne, you're dead — what do I do..."
"Dead?" I repeat the strange word.
After a moment, I remember what it means.
I stare at Daddy, eyes wide: "Mommy isn't dead! She's just sick!"
"Mommy said when you're sick you find a doctor. Go — don't let Mommy keep sleeping!"
I push at Daddy, try to get him to stand up, but he won't budge.
I spin in circles, anxious, but Daddy still won't move.
I want to go up to Mommy, but every time I reach the stairs, my body pulls me back to Daddy.
After a few times, I get mad.
Missing Mommy and not being able to leave — my nose stings.
"Bad Daddy. I hate you."
- Writer
