"I'm so sorry he was your first experience of a man. I will spend the rest of my life showing you how it should be done, I swear. If you'll move in with me when we leave school. Work, don't work. Study, don't study. Fuck your father and his expectations. Be happy."
I stared at him, stunned by his outburst.
"Bailey, you can't be serious."
"I'm serious."
I dropped my gaze to the ground as he tilted my head up to his.
"You need to know how amazing you are. I want to remind you every day."
I smiled then, despite my tears.
"I didn't even realize I had Daddy issues." I joked as he gave me a hard stare.
"Do you want to go? I don't want to sit in there anymore. Unless you do. Want to, that is, not out of duty."
"I don't want to be here, but it's Elijah's birthday. I don't want to leave like that; Ray will be upset."
He laughed as he shook his head, his hair falling into his face as he studied me.
"Stop thinking about everyone else for once. Do something just for you. Do you want to sit and watch me knock your old man off his chair? Because if he continues to upset and disrespect you like that, I fucking will." His voice shook with anger, and I cupped his face in my hands. We heard my mother clearing her throat as she stood awkwardly wringing her hands together.
"Um, we are about to order the entrees. Are you joining us?"
She was nervous, her eyes darting from me to Bailey, who sighed and stared at me, shrugging in my direction.
"Annabelle?" She repeated, her eyes studying me as I turned to face her.
"Dad's upsetting me, Mom. I don't want to be with him, but I don't want to upset the rest of you," I said quietly, my voice suddenly small.
"Darling. Why don't you go and spend the night with Bailey? I'll tell your father what's what, and don't worry about Elijah & Ray. They've had quite enough of him too."
I gaped at my mother; the usually quiet church mouse seemed to have found her voice.
"Are you sure?" I gasped as she nodded confidently.
"Yes, I'm sure. Bailey, please accept my apologies for ruining your evening. But, please, will you look after my wonderful daughter tonight?"
My eyes filled with tears again, happy ones this time as I threw my arms around her, feeling her smile against me.
"Please don't apologize. I will certainly take care of my angel. Will you guys need a ride back?" I pulled away from my mom as we both wiped away overdue tears from a conversation that had needed to be had for so long.
She waved her hand at Bailey as she turned to walk away, a confidence in her I'd not seen before.
"No, thank you. Have a good night, both of you."
We both stood for a while, gazing in the direction my mom had walked away, the wind blowing my hair over my face as I turned to face Bailey.
"Do you feel like a walk on the beach?" he said softly, lacing his fingers through mine.
"I'd love to."
Thirty-Eight
Princess
Ifelt my heart pound as I followed my driving instructor’s commands, when suddenly the car began to move. I started to panic, and the engine whirred loudly as the driving instructor told me to keep going. I felt pure joy—I was driving!
