I shuddered and wiped my hand across the mirror as I turned away, unable to look at it any longer. The person looking back didn’t even resemble me anymore. But then again, I didn’t know who I was most of the time.
Good thing my parents didn’t know I had stopped seeing my shrink or they would have been on my ass about that. But fifteen years later, I didn’t think she could help me any more than she already had. So, I kept the meds refilled but as far as talking shit out, that hadn’t seemed to do me any good for a long time.
Though, I wished I had someone impartial at the momentto talk to about Nate. Lord knew Vic wasn’t impartial, and apparently, my sister was her new cohort.
When my phonedingedagain, I was tempted to ignore it. Part of me wanted to crawl back into my bed, pull the covers over my head, and go back to sleep for an eternity. Or, at least, long enough to start the day over again. But a second message had me rolling my eyes and hunting down where I had left it.
I found it on the kitchen counter. And I was still half tempted to ignore it, but when I picked it up, the screen lit up and showed me the preview of Nate’s message.
Nate
Understood?
Brows furrowed, I swiped my phone open and went into our chat to see what he was talking about. I wasn’t prepared for the sucker punch of emotion his words delivered as my eyes went wide as I let them sink in.
Nate
Last time I checked, I was your Daddy, which means it’s my job to take care of you.
So I will pick you up in an hour, if you’ll be ready.
Understood?
I swallowed thickly, blinking back tears. Maybe I had made him angry, but not for the reason I’d originally thought. But because he wanted to take care of me and I hadn’t been allowing him to do that. I just wasn’t used to it. Sure, my parents did when I was younger, but that was because they had to.
As an adult, I think we forgot that it was okay to lean on others, to let someone else take care of you. I certainly wasn’t in the habit of letting anyone do that. Not that I had anyone lining up and volunteering to do it.
But there Nate was, demanding to be given the job.
My hands shook as I typed my response back.
I understand Daddy. And I’m ready, whenever you want to come pick me up.
After another moment, I sent him another text.
Should I not eat breakfast?
Nate
You didn’t eat breakfast yet?
A quick glance at the clock had me realizing it was almost noon and I grimaced.
Oops?
I could practically hear him growl in response, in my head, and it brought a smile to my face.
Nate
I’ll be there in fifteen minutes. We will eat and then we can see a matinee. After, we can spend the day however you wish, little bird.
Sounds good, Daddy.
Thank you.
I went back to the bathroom and washed my face, needing to get rid of the evidence of my earlier distress. Worrying Daddy was the last thing I wanted. After another quick look in the mirror, my fingers twitched with a need, but I wasn’t sure what Nate would think of the addition.
Feeling brave, I reached back into the medicine cabinet with trembling fingers and pulled out a rarely used bag. I dug around for what I needed, and for a minute, I frowned,thinking maybe I had thrown it out. But then, I cleared away everything and found it sitting at the bottom of the bag, waiting for me.
