“You can use the master bath in my room.”
Mr. Gladys seemed to have come out of nowhere. I jumped a little bit.
“Sir, it’s okay. I can wait a bit.”
“No, no, I insist. Po will keep watch.”
Mr. Gladys took me to where his room was. Po followed along. I was getting nervous about the time because I had to get home before ten like dad said. I’ll leave right after my pee. It was all gonna work out and tomorrow is another day.
…
I watched my little baby Heather walk out the door to the party. I hope she was at least somewhat full from that breakfast I made her. I know she’ll be fine. She’s a strong woman. Strong and confident. I trusted Po, I just wanted to make it seem like I don’t. That way he’s more careful with my daughter. Scare tactics y’know. Even if he’s a Gladys. He can’t be as bad as his father, right?
I took a bath when Heather left. It was pretty relaxing. It reminded me of the good ol’ days when Elle and I bathed together. Got me feeling really sad but yet, I was happy. I was in a good place. It felt like she was here with me. Right across from me in the tub. I talked to her; even if I couldn’t see her, I knew she was there, and she was listening. “I miss you Elle. We both do. Our daughter is out being a kid, growing up. Just like we used to. I miss those times. We were so damn cute together as we pulled up to the party like we’re the shit. Being trendsetters. Being ourselves. Living life in the moment. Now our daughter can do the same. You’re always on her mind, just like you’re on mine. Thank you for still being here with us. Thank you for the encouragement. Thank you for everything Elle. I love you more than anything baby. More than the world itself. I’ll live this life the best I can. And soon we will be reunited again my darling.” I started to read a book after I spoke to her. It was Elle’s book. She was published once, and she’d be the first to tell you how good it is. Of course, I’d be the second to tell you.
I spent a lot of the day reading her book. After I dried off and got situated downstairs in the living room, I plopped down on the couch and started reading. It was a really good book. It was a ghost story about a young man and woman, both were journalists, who wondered upon this big haunted mansion. The door was locked so they had to find another way inside. Once inside they realize it’s abandoned and start recording their experience. Wondering around, they find dead bodies and hear noises. Turns out they aren’t alone, and they have to manage a way to survive and escape to tell their story. That’s about as far as I am currently.
Clock hits 9pm and I’m just going through some mail and legal papers. I saw one from South Cal State; Heather was accepted! That’s amazing news. I’m glad to see her following in my footsteps. I think she’ll thrive in Political Science. Maybe I’ll give her a little pep talk when she’s home and have her go through some fake legal papers. About my real legal papers, I was filing them and making sure I’ve got it all set right. I’ve got a court case coming up in a few months and I have to be on my A game. I went to college to study this science so I can clearly understand what my lawyer is telling me when he calls. I feel bad hiding all this from Heather but when the time is right, she’ll be told, and she’ll understand everything. The reason I’ve been going through all these papers is because I’ve been missing one important piece of information. My lawyer and even the judge are currently with me trying to get this. It’s not a matter of win or lose, it’s a legal matter where if I don’t have it, there can’t be a court case. Wait, what is that? Some mail that I missed today. I opened it and I couldn’t believe it! Wait a second...
The door flies open and I see my daughter, all muddy and sweaty. Seems out of breath. “Heather! What the hell happened?” I had to ask. Her shoes went from pure white when she left to brown. She was in tears. Almost hyperventilating. I sat her down on the stool in the dining room. I rubbed her back and tried to calm her down. “Honey, can you please tell me what happened.” She looks at the clock, as do I; it’s 11:30. She looked me in the eyes. She knew she was late and was sorry, I could see it in her eyes. But that was the least of the worries currently. Because her eyes also told a different story.
“Dad. I was raped.”
4
As I sat down to pee, I realized that my phone wasn’t on me. It’s almost ten and I have to tell dad I’m gonna be on my way. So, I finished up, washed up, and started to head out. “Oh, hey, Mr. Gladys.
