Who Knew

14

My dad cooked a big dinner. He even had dessert. This was the day that Jasmine was coming over to our home to eat with us. Daddy wanted to go all out. We even went grocery shopping. I had some input on what he should get cause I would be also eating this meal.

I can finally meet this lady. I was ready ever since I found out about her. I can finally ask those questions I had for her. I needed to get to know her little since daddy was taking her out all the time. He already gave me the speech about how to behave. I needed to be nice.

I had to help out where I could when he cooked. It wasn't much I had to do. I didn't really know what I was doing anyhow. I did clean up the dishes as he cooked and I was currently getting the plates and cups out the cabinet. I was on setting up the table duty.

The door bell rang. I let my dad answer the door. I took the juice out the refrigerator.

Their footsteps were closer, and I prepared myself for the person I'm about to see.

A woman made an entrance into our kitchen. I checked out her appearance. She wore a long sparkly dress that was sleeveless. It had a slit on the side exposing her legs. The dress was nice. I felt that it was a little too dressy for dinner over someone's house. She could have worn regular clothes. Daddy seemed into it though cause he couldn't take his eyes off her. I knew she wore that on purpose when she smiled at me. Others may think I'm overreacting but I felt that she wanted daddy to lust over her in front of me to prove how much he was into her.

Daddy finally snapped out his daze.    "Miesha this is Jasmine. Jasmine this is my daughter."

"Hello Miesha. Darrin speaks highly of you. I'm glad to meet you,"  she said.

"I'm glad I get to meet the woman who been keeping my daddy out late at night even if he did have to work the next morning," I replied.

She was taken back by my words. "Well I'm sorry you feel that way. But Darrin is a grown man. He makes his own decisions. Maybe he couldn't get enough of being around me." She smirked at me.

My eyes turned hard at her comment. I gave her a cold hearted glare. Her red lips were upturned into a smile. I wondered how much trouble I would get if I smacked that smile off her face. It was the wickedness behind it. She was loving my reaction.

"Well we should eat now. Sit my ladies. I'll serve you both."   

My dad tried his best to get rid of the uneasiness in the air. He eyed me as a warning mouthing to me that I need to be nice and behave.

I was not defeated yet. Jasmine thought she had the lead over me. But I was the one that's really in charge here. I will be still be observant of her. She was one that needed the attention. Clearly she liked to bring that upon herself.

Daddy sat our plates down in front of us and went to fixed his own. I waited until he came back to dig in.

My dad cooked a baked garlic chicken with two sides of cheesy potatoes and fresh string beans also favored with garlic and butter. He made some crescent rolls.

The food was delicious. My dad never disappointed me in the kitchen. I enjoyed every last bite of this meal.

"Miesha. I can see how much you care for Darrin. I do too. He is a very nice, sweet, loving man. He always make sure I'm good and taken care of. He is becoming a big part of my life. And I'm sure I'm a big part of his. So I hope that you can understand that."      

Daddy took a hold of her hand. He thought her a little speech was cute. It wasn't at all. She trying to stress the fact that she's in the picture and there was nothing I could do now.

I wished my dad would read between the lines. I understood a woman like her. She was clever. That I can't take away. Her plan was to get my dad too deep involved for him to see through her malicious ways. I have to be the one to make daddy realize that. She knew he wouldn't believe me cause the way I had treated all the other women. She could use that as an advantage.

Daddy and Jasmine had a whole conversation while I stayed quiet and ate my food. Listening to this superficial woman speak irritated me. Everything about her irritated me. Her laughter, her voice, her presence. Dinner hadn't gone as expected.

I finished my plate and took it to the sink and wash it. The room had gotten quiet when I finished. I turned around to see both daddy and Jasmine staring at me like they're trying to read me. While my dad appeared concerned, Jasmine seemed satisfied with my quietness.

I smiled big. "Who's ready for dessert?"  I asked.       

I picked up both of their plates and cleaned them also. I sliced a piece of strawberry chocolate covered cake for each of us and sat down.

"I hope y'all enjoy this," my dad said digging in.

"I'm sure I will. I did enjoy your dinner," Jasmine said rubbing on his arm.

My eye twitched a little at that motion. I blew a huge breath and sat up in my seat. I needed to focus. If I want to get rid of this woman, then I needed to find out a what it is that she wants out of my dad.

"Jasmine, what kind of work you do? I mean you must have a good paying job to afford a dress like that."  

"Actually you can thank your dad for it. He gave me some money, and I treated myself to this dress."    

I dropped my fork on my plate making a loud clanking sound. I quickly glanced over at daddy who was eating cake like nothing was wrong. I pushed my plate back not having an appetite anymore. My gaze never left my dad's but he still wouldn't look over at me. The more he ignored me was the more frustrated I began to get.

My daddy knew what happened the last he gave his so called lady money. She ended up asking for more and kept asking for more until finally he realized she was using him. Even if I did warn him several times. He was too blind to know. Now this is happening all over again. He should know better the second go around. Apparently not cause he was sitting there not saying anything.

"Okay my daddy must have gave you a lot to afford that. I wonder how much exactly he give you." I didn't hide my angry tone.

"I don't think that's any of your concern," she said.

"Oh, I think it is. The last gold digging rat who got money out of him tried to put a dent in his pockets, and I don't need this happening again." My voice raised a little as my anger started to boil.

Daddy finally looked at me, but his eyes held fury.   "Miesha how there you disrespect Jasmine. She has been nothing but nice to you and you accuse her of being a gold digger," he yelled.

"But daddy I know because-"   

"I suggest you tone your voice down little girl. I don't know what's wrong with you, but you won't disrespect me or Jasmine. Why are you sitting here questioning her anyway? You are child, and she or I don't have to answer to you." 

He paused and closed his eyes like he was trying to control his temper. 

"You know what. Go your room. I don't want to see you right now," he ordered.

"But daddy-"    

"I said go now. I'm not going to tell you again," he yelled again.

I took my plate with me not saying anything and went to my room.