His baby girl

23.

Today was the day I was going to go dress shopping for the school dance in two weeks. I was happy to see Martin again. I haven't seen him since our last fishing trip a few weeks ago. And I was also happy to see Jeremiah again. 

I was busy playing tug of war with Betty.

"Come on, Willow let the dog have the shirt," Daddy yelled from the other side of the yard. 

"NO!" I yelled back running after the slow old dog that had one of my old white shirts in her mouth. I chase the dog until she ran under our trailer home. I drop to my hands and knees and look around under the dark thing. I grimace at the sight and huff in annoyance and stand up. "You got lucky this time Betty," I said turning and walking over to where daddy and his two brothers were standing. 

Toby is daddy's older brother that we rarely saw. He also works at a mechanic shop just like daddy. But he wasn't as kind as daddy or Steph. He made me uncomfortable and anxious. Always making inappropriate comments toward me and my brothers. He had been married twice and had two of my cousin with each of his wives. I have never actually met any of my cousins before because of how strict Toby was with his children. He wasn't my favorite person.

"Willow," Daddy wrapped his arms around my shoulders. "Where is Daire, Toby wants to meet him," He said pinching my cheek. I blush and look down at my bare feet even though it was winter. "He's in my room working on an assignment," I said taking a glance at Toby who was almost identical to my grandfather who I loved. 

Toby snickers. "He seems to be an academic kid," Toby said taking a sip from his beer. 

"I'll go get him," I said playing with the end of my skirt. 

I walk into my room to find Daire sitting on my bed with his AirPods in his ears and his workbook in hand. I silently walk towards him and stand in between his legs. He looks up and smirks at me. "Hey," I mumble as he wraps his arms around my waist. "Hey, Bud," He said grinning at me. He pulls on my skirt and frowns. "Baby it's getting way too cold for you to still be wearing these tiny skirts."

I shrug my shoulders. "It's not that cold out," I mumble. 

He sighs and runs his hand down my back. "What do you want," He asked playing with my hands that were decorated with his collection of rings. 

I blush and play with his greasy brown locks. "My uncle Toby wants to meet you," I said biting my lips. Daire places his hands on my waist and brings me to his lap. "Okay," He said kissing my cheek. He makes me stand up and follows suit. 

He grabs my hand and makes his way out of my room and towards the backyard where the brother was sipping on their beers.

"Oh, Willy, you're back," Daddy said smiling at me. I smile back as Daire and I make our way over to him. "Toby, this is Daire, Willow's boyfriend." Daddy said placing his hands on Daire's shoulder. Daire looks down at daddy's hand and looks at him confused. 

"Well, might I say you look a lot like Janice Frost, an old friend of mine," Toby said taking a sip from his beer. "I mean you can be her son." 

I look at Daire whose jaw was clenched. He was glaring hard at Toby and it frighten me. "Actually she is my mom," He said shoving his fist inside his pockets. 

Toby smiles. "Yeah, I heard she's with that Alfred Wilburd and she had at least five kids with him," He chuckles as he looks Daire over. "Aren't you a little too white to come from Alfred's sperm?" Daire rolls his eyes. "Alfred's not my dad," He mumbles. He looks at me with a blank face but his eyes showed how hurt he actually was. "Imma head inside and get ready for when Jeremiah comes over," He kisses my temple before walking away.

"What's his problem?" Toby asked looking back at his brothers. Daddy shakes his head with a sigh. "Daire just has a complicated relationship with his family," Daddy said walking away as well. 

I walk back inside the house and head to my room where Daire sat with his head in his hands. 

"Darry are you okay?" I asked walking over to him. He sighs and looks at me. "I'm fine Willow," He mumbles. 

I sit next to Daire and rest my head on his shoulder. I place my hand in his and he plays with my fingers. We sit there for a while when Daire's phone starts to ring. 

He picks it up and answers it.

"Hello?" He says. 

"Yeah um, 4411 Washington rode." He mumbles as he looks out my window. "Yeah, the brown house trailer with the red roof." He says. "Okay yeah, whatever."

"Okay shut the fuck up. Shut up."

"Okay, I'm hanging up now." He said hanging the phone up and throwing it on my bed. "Jeremiah on his way," He said placing his head in my neck. He sighs heavily while I rub his back in a soothing way. 

6 minutes later a car horn beeped letting us know someone was outside. 

Daire removes himself from me and walks over to my window. He grins and closes the curtains. "Come on, Bud," He said grabbing his coat. "Jeremiah's here."

I grab my shoes and run off behind Daire. 

Once we were outside I notice Jeremiah's beautiful car. Jeremiah stood outside the car smoking a cigarette. When he notices us he waves his arm at us. "Yo, Darry I got a new car," He yells with a huge smile on his face. 

Daire smiles at Jeremiah and gives him a bro hug. "Dude you have way too many cars," Daire chuckles as he expects the brand new car. "Gosh Jerry," He said. He looks back at me I stand there awkwardly. 

"Hey, Willow," Jeremiah said throwing the cigarette on the ground and stepping on it. "Nice to see your pretty face again." He grins at me and I smile back. 

Daire rolls his eyes and opens the back seat of the car. "Come on Willow," He said gesturing for me to come over. I walk over to him and try to climb inside the large car. But per usual I was way too small.  After trying for a few seconds I give up with a huff. Daire chuckles before lifting me up inside the car. He shuts the door and walks to the passenger seat and climbs in.

Jeremiah gets in next and smiles at me through the review mirror.

"So where we are going?" He asked starting up the car.

"The mall," Daire said running his hand through his hair. 

I shake my head and respond. "No, we can't go to the mall," I said biting my lip. "We have to go to DOLLY'S DRESS SHOP," I said looking at the boys in the mirror. "We won't find any good dresses at the mall." 

"Yeah, I agree," He said stopping at a red stop sign. "No one sells better dresses than Dolly," He said pushing his hair back. "I should know my mother shop all her Gala dresses there." 

I nod my head agreeing with him. 

Daire sighs. "Okay but now better not be too expensive, your dad only gave us a $500 dollar budget." He said looking back at me. My eyes widen. "Really?" Daire nods his head. "He said something about wanting his princess looking like a princess." He mumbles. 

I couldn't help but smile at this.