renee skies

“Oh hi, Car—Mrs. B.” I had stepped towards her for a hug but she stepped back.“Working!” she said brightly. “Summer job. I need the money. What are you looking for?”“Birthday present. A tie I guess.”

As quietly as she could she made her way up to the bedside and slowly sat on the bed as it took her weight. Once she was sure her dad was still deep in his sleep, she wriggled under the sheet until she was next him. As usual he was arranged like a star fish with his arms and legs out to either side. To accommodate him she curled into a ball and put herself right by his side with his arm under her head like a pillow. Like most dads she’d heard about hers slept naked, but although all the other girls who mentioned this seemed grossed out, she didn’t mind. To be fair a lot of the of the other girl’s dads weren’t as handsome as hers, or in as good shape. A few years ago, she had to put up with a few friends who couldn’t stop gushing about her dad when they came over and saw him for the first time. Although she saw all the good features about him, to her he was always just her dad. How could she think about him that way?

Noah punched her in the solar plexus, pushing all of the air from her lungs. She wanted to drop to her knees, but his hold on her was absolute, as though she was shackled to a dungeon wall.“The gods didn’t protect Seraph from me, so don’t expect them to protect you. Start talking before I grow bored.”