Chapter Sixteen

Ada

After Friday night I’d allowed myself to just be lazy. When Sunday rolled around I really didn’t want to go see my dad at all. I’d promised him and he said there would be dinner on the table when I got there. Around four o’clock I drug myself through the shower and got ready.

Charlie had called and wanted to come over to see me and sing some more. I told him once I got back from dad’s I’d call him. It’s the part of the night I’m looking forward to. Liza had told me once I did it, I’d want to do it all the time and she was right.

I drive to my father’s house on the other side of town. It’s kind of off the beaten path and in the woods. It wasn’t where we grew up, but it was where he moved. I pull up and notice the grass hasn’t been taken care of. It’s not like dad to not take care of his lawn. He’s always taken such pride in it looking great.

"Thanks for coming sweetheart." Dad stands in his living room and motions for me to sit on the couch.

I do so obediently a little nervous about what he'll tell me.

"Hey Addy," I hear Jimmy say as he walks from the kitchen into the living room.

I'm filled with fear and anger. My whole body buzzes with adrenaline as I jump up from the couch.

"What is he doing here?"

"He's here to help me deliver a message." My father says with no emotion in his voice.

"He hit me. I sent him to jail the other night." I look around me for something to protect myself with.

"He's really sorry about that Addybug. It's why I bailed him out."

My face is hot and tears well up in my eyes. My own father bailed a man out of jail who'd physically abused me. I knew we hadn't been close since mom left, but I never thought he hated me until now.

"I'm leaving." I make my way towards the door to find Jimmy blocking it. My dad walks up behind me and grabs my arm pulling me back towards the couch.

I'm terrified now. What did they bring me here for?

"You aren't singing with that Maxwell kid."

“What do you mean?”

“His daddy did us wrong and no daughter of mine is going to have anything to do with that filthy family.”

“It wasn't Charlie's fault you got fired.” I protest. I’ve never known my father to act this way. He’s being so unreasonable. It makes me wonder what else he could have hid from me. Maybe he’s the reason mama left. Maybe he was mean or crazy. My opinion of my father has forever been changed now.

I should have known this was why he wanted me here.

“It doesn't matter. I've got a reputation to keep up.”

“I'm grown, daddy. You might have been able to tell me what to do in high school but you can't now. I am done with this.” I walk towards the door again prepared to fight Jimmy.

He just smiles at me and moves out of my way.

“Addybug. You've left us no choice. You sing with that boy and he'll have an accident. One he might not survive.” He says still with no emotion in his voice.

“You wouldn't do that.”

“No, but I would,” Jimmy says continuing to smile. “I've lost you already. I've got nothing else to lose.”

“You're both crazy, I scream as I run to my car. Hot angry tears run down my face. He wouldn’t hurt Charlie, would he?

I couldn't live with myself if he did. How can I blow him off? He is so excited about our song.

I could tell him the truth. I just don't know that it will do any good. My dad always ruins my life in one way or another.

My opinion of my dad has now changed forever. How could he bail out Jimmy? He hurt me. It just doesn't seem real.

I'm supposed to record with Charlie tomorrow. I've let him into my heart and my bed. It's going to be the hardest thing I ever do, but I'm going to stand him up.

There's no doubt in my mind Jimmy will hurt him. If he's said I'm going to shoot him, I'd have gone to the police. The fact that they want to make it look like an accident means the police can't stop it. If I want to kneel him safe I'm going to have to stay away.

I make the decision to stand him up. Not only will it keep my dad happy it will have the added effect of making sure he never talks to me again.

Tears run down my cheeks as I make my way to the car. How did this day turn so bad?

Charlie calls me like I knew he would and I don’t answer. He calls again a little later as I pull back into my apartment complex. I don’t answer again. I go and run a bath and sit in it until the water is cold. Instead of facing getting out, I drain all the water and run more so I can continue to sit in the bath without hypothermia.

After my bath, I try to go to sleep. Finally, I get up and call Lila, but of course, she doesn’t answer. The clock says it’s only ten o’clock so I try to watch a movie to get sleepy. After that doesn’t work I just lie still and stare at the ceiling. It’s all I can do.

I decide to do something I haven’t done in a long time to try and go to sleep, drink. I get up and go into my pantry. There’s a bottle of vodka that’s been in the cabinet since I had a roommate. It was hers, and I’d never been tempted to touch it until this evening.

I pour some straight and take it down shuddering over the horrible taste. I take down another large gulp and then mix some with a juice I have in the fridge.

After I finish that drink I make another and notice I feel amazing. I almost call Charlie but decide not to. Once I’m good and drunk I grab a blanket and pass out in the recliner in my living room.