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“So now you’re helping charity cases. Whatever happened to the Daimon I knew in high school? Who thought charity cases like me shouldn’t have any rights to mingle with the rich?” I watched as he got his whiskey. The bartender asked me for a drink, but I declined. I wasn’t in the mood for alcohol.
“Let’s just say, you opened my eyes,” he said as he picked up his lowball glass and took a healthy swig of his drink.
The night ended easily enough. Daimon sent me home early, but stayed back, saying he had to mingle. He knew I was feeling uncomfortable and as much as I tried, I couldn’t shake the feeling of everyone looking at me.
He had his driver drive me home. I sat in the car and thought back through the night’s events and wondered what exactly was on Daimon’s mind.
After thanking the driver, I walked up to the front entrance and slowly opened the door. I stepped inside my home and turned off the porch light my father had left on. Taking off my high heels I headed to the bathroom. I looked at myself in the mirror. I hardly knew who I was anymore. I eased out of my dress and carefully put it away. I put on an old ratty t-shirt and finally felt like myself. My scar was covered up and I no longer felt the need to think about it. I slowly let myself into my bedroom and saw Sofia fast asleep. Listening to her quiet breathing I reminded myself I was doing this for her, I wanted her to have a better life than me. I was going to provide that for her, even if it meant selling who I was for money.THE MEDSI walked into the doctor’s office and was irate when I saw my father sitting hunched over in pain. I had to leave Sofia at the diner all alone, something I had never done before, in order to come and get him.
“What did the doctor say?” I asked as I sat down next to him.
“They said I needed a colonoscopy,” he said meekly.
“Why?” I nearly screamed.
A colonoscopy meant he would be in pain for months. The meds they gave him to clean him out only aggravated his flare-ups to the point where he couldn’t walk or work. Every time he had to go through one, we had to deal with it, and every time it only got worse. I kept telling him to tell them no, but they instilled fear, telling him of cancer and other possibilities.
“They want to see if I can be a candidate for an experimental drug. One that might help me,” he said smiling. I knew he was in pain, I could see it.
“Fuck,” I said under my breath.
My father was getting worse not better and I didn’t understand his doctor. I knew they did the best they could and most of the time it was an educated guess at best, but I wanted him okay. I wanted my father back to the way he was. Fuck, if I hadn’t failed him, if I was somehow better at all this then maybe he wouldn’t be in such a bad state. I reached up and slowly massaged his back.
“Daddy? Where did you park your car?” I asked.
“Downstairs. In the parking lot.” He looked up from his seat on the verge of tears.
“Okay, I’ll go get it and drive you home. Then I’ll go to the store.” I smiled, trying my hardest to hide the sheer agony I felt seeing my father the way he was. There wasn’t a damn fucking thing I could do about it either. I was hopeless and helpless. I couldn’t do anything to ease his pain or his suffering and whatever I tried only caused him to get more flare ups. I headed to the elevator, pressed the down button, and waited. My father was going to meet me downstairs once he finished with the doctor.
“Here to see a plastic surgeon to fix that ugly scar of yours?” Clara’s voice was like cold water had been poured over me in mid-winter.
“Hello, Clara,” I said flatly as I continued to stare at the elevator with hope the doors would open and I could quickly leave from here.
“Why? Why the fuck do you get to have Daimon?” she seethed.
“Excuse me?” I turned to face her. She glared at me through her fake eyelashes.
“You had him all throughout high school. Not one day went by without him being by your side and now what? You guys are dating. Daimon is mine,” she said spitefully.
“It’s too bad he only wants me,” I fired back.
“You’re such a fucking bitch,” she hissed and slapped me hard. I felt the pain across my face. My skin grew hot with shame. I reached up and held my hand where she had hit me, feeling my skin throb. “What is it about you that he’s so fascinated with? What? The fact you’re poor or the fact you’re nothing but a fucking loser? I didn’t get it then and don’t get it now. Poor little Addie needs her prince charming to swoop in and save her. Aren’t you tired of being the constant victim in your life? Can’t you get over yourself already and move on from this act you’re pulling?” she accused.
