Thread: Taking Care of Daddy {Whisper Twice x AnnaBeth Belle}

I'll catch a ride home with Anna and meet you at the party. Girl drama school , she texted Colin then put the phone away after he acknowledged the change in plans. It wasn't a lie, not exactly. There was girl drama but it was in Chloe's head and only involved her. The day had been a frustrating nightmare of replaying the morning and the ride over and over in her head. Chloe had picked apart each word Daddy said, how he said it, and had come up with ten explanations for each element. Normally, if it had been a boy, she and her girlfriends would have happily magpied together over it until consensus was reached, but you couldn't really bring your friends into wanting your Daddy, could you? So she'd been distracted all day, even got questioned by her calculus teacher who said he'd never seen Chloe like this and did she need to go see the counselor. Wouldn't that be fun. Elektra Complex noted in her permanent record and she'd never, ever get into Bryn Mawr. You going to tell me what's going on? Anna asked as she drove towards Chloe's house. Nothing. Everything. Gah, Chloe said and blew a sigh up across her forehead so hard it started her hair swaying. Oh, boy problems. They're stupid, Anna sympathized. Who is it? You don't know him, Chloe said quickly. Oh, really? Anna said and looked over with a grin on her face. From another school? St. Brendan's? Chloe shook her head. No. He's...older. Out of school. Oh my God, Chloe! You have to tell me! Like, how old? Anna kept looking over, threatening to run them off the road. Just...older. He runs his own business and, it's, like complicated. Complicated? Oh, shit! He's married? Anna gave Chloe a look equal parts admiration and horror. Does she know? She's a bitch, Chloe said flatly. Like, she doesn't even take care of him. Berates him all the time and he's so nice. He gives everything to her and takes care of her and she's just so selfish. Sounds like your mom, Anna said, then put a hand over her mouth. I'm sorry. I'm sorry, Chloe. I know you and your mom don't get along but she's still your mom. I wasn't trying to be- Forget about it. Chloe looked out the window, It's probably not ever going to happen anyway. I should just go out behind the garden shed with Billy Miller and give him a, she mimed moving her hand back and forth, jerking a cock, and both girls laughed. Rubber chicken. Champagne she couldn't have and sparkling cider she didn't want. Little things wrapped in bacon and people trying very hard to impress each other with how unassuming and quietly generous they were. So why get together to let people know you were quietly generous? Hypocrites. Just like Mommy. Chloe had been trotted out to Meet Mr. and Mrs...., smiled prettily, made witty but vapid remarks and then been sent to a table near the back out of the way while Mommy made more rounds on Daddy's arm. Every time she saw Mommy laugh she could imagine Daddy trying to make it look real, to make it look like he was glad to be there. Why did he lie so much for her? Why did he put up with her? Chloe feared it was because of her. If they had gotten divorced Mommy would have used every weapon to hurt and keep Daddy, and what hurt Colin more than the thought of being separated from his daughter. Well, she was eighteen now and an adult and nobody could tell her which parent she had to live with. She could choose Daddy. She would always choose Daddy. Finally he was set free and went to talk to a group of men off to the side. Chloe waited until she was sure Mommy was out of sight then went to the bar. Whiskey rocks, please, she said and smiled when the barman looked suspicious. It's for my Daddy, she said and gestured. Colin caught the motion and waved back, thinking Chloe was waving at him. See? Besides do I look like a whiskey girl? Drink in hand, she mad her way to stand on Daddy's left. Slipping her right arm into the crook of his elbow, she first handed him the drink and then pressed up onto tiptoes to kiss him on the cheek, just catching the corner of his mouth. I love you, she whispered, then stayed with Colin as the night went on, leaving only to get him a drink any time he ran low. By the end of the night Colin was going to be hammered...