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This can’t be happening. There’s no way this is real.
I look at Randy, but he avoids my eyes, picking at the crust of dirt underneath his fingernails.
My heart hurts, physically hurts, and tears swell in my eyes.
My dad just sold me, and I have no choice but to go.
3
Jessalyn
* * *
Daddy and I exit Mr. Purcell’s office a few seconds later. I zoom by Janice’s desk, refusing to make eye contact, as Randy trails after me. Janice probably heard me yelling but I don’t care at the moment. I have bigger things to worry about. I storm out of Purcell Development, and when the front door slams shut behind me, I spin on my heels to rage at Randy.
“How could you?” I demand through tears.
Daddy looks at me with flat eyes, not an ounce of remorse on his face.
“Hell, Jess, we had no other choice. The man was going to take our home.”
“We? This wasn’t a we decision. You did this all on your own. You sold me!”
Tears are streaming down my face right now as I scream at him in the parking lot. Daddy gets an annoyed look on his face, but I don’t back down. There has got to be something illegal in this. If I make my way to the library and pull out some legal tomes, I’m sure I can find something declaring these actions criminal.
But instead, Randy gets nasty.
“Will you stop being so selfish?” he snarls. “I have done all I could for you your entire life, and by God, Jessalyn, you owe me this much. It cost me every fucking penny I have to keep you alive. I have put food on the table, a roof over your head, and even given you spending money once in a damn while. Just accept this decision and move on!”
I don’t think my heart can drop anymore. I would normally excuse Daddy’s words as the alcohol talking, but not this time. These are sober words. He really means them. And as much as they hurt, a part of me isn’t surprised to hear this from him. I’ve always known that Randy has seen me as a burden, but this is a new low, even for him.
“Children aren’t supposed to owe their parents money,” I seethe, narrowing my eyes at him. “Children are supposed to be loved and cared for by their parents, not sold.”
Daddy shrugs.
“What’s the big deal, Jess? You’re going to live in a damn mansion. It’s not like I’m sending you off to the butcher.”
I scoff.
“But you would, if you could make a buck from the butcher.”
Randy rolls his eyes.
“For fuck’s sake, Jessalyn. If anyone is getting the better deal out of this it’s you, not me. Try to see it from my perspective.”
I screech.
“I’m getting the better deal? Because my own father is selling me to some stranger so he can live rent free for god knows how long? Yes, Daddy. I’d say I came out on top of all this,” is my sarcastic comment.
But Randy continues like he hasn’t heard.
“You’re going to live with a damn billionaire, Jess. You’re about to become a lady of leisure. In fact, you’re the one who should be sending me money in this situation, instead of your damned ungratefulness.”
All I can do at this point is stare at this man in utter shock. In all of my twenty-two years of life, I have never truly felt like a piece of chattel more than now. I’m property to be bought and sold. That’s all. Plus, it’s clear that Randy’s never going to see the wrong in this. He’s just not wired like that.
Still, it’s a difficult pill to swallow. Daddy and I have never had the relationship a father and daughter should have, but I never expected this to happen. Now, I have no choice but to accept this awful situation. I’m not going to win. I guess I could run off and hide but where would I go? I have no money and make a pittance working at Hooger’s. At least I still have my job, if nothing else.
I bite my lip and open the door to the truck. I pull out my bag of work clothes. On the bright side, if I agree to this deal, I won’t have to see Randy.
“Where are you going?” he asks as I take the bag and start walking off. I turn to face him, still seething with anger. His well-worn face looks totally innocent.
“Where does it look like I’m going?” I ask tightly.
Daddy rolls his eyes.
“Whatever. You’re just an ungrateful brat, Jess. You’ll never make it in life without my help.”
I watch in anger as Randy climbs into his truck and slams the door behind him. He revs the engine loudly before busting out of the parking lot like a man on fire. Daddy speeds down the road and I watch his truck get smaller and smaller in the distance as he drives away. He’s no doubt going home to drink the rest of the day, since he doesn’t have to worry about rent now. The only thing he has to worry about is coming up with enough beer to satisfy his raging alcoholism.
