Country Mile

STILL HIS LITTLE GIRL

Knuckles softly rapping at her door, Delilah opened it to be met with Adam's tired, yet determined face. She stepped away to let him in and he gently closed the door behind him.

Delilah stood in the middle of her room and nervously twisted the ring on her pointer finger around and around. She had changed out of her woodland fairy costume and was in faded plaid pants and a tattered tee. Adam looked at his daughter and as she pulled at the hem of her shirt, he thought how she suddenly looked much younger than her years. She was still his little girl.

Clearing her throat she softly spoke. "I.. um, I wasn't eavesdroppin', I just couldn't help but to hear..."

Adam nodded his head in understanding. "That's alright."

"Is that why you're here?" she asked.

He sighed deeply. "There are many things I can overlook, but lyin' to me ain't one of 'em. Never has been and you know it."

Delilah's eyes dropped to the floor as she sullenly nodded.

"I thought after y'all snuck out to that party, we had come to an understandin' about lyin'. Seems like you girls need a little help toein' the line. So, yeah.. that's why I'm here."

"Gee, thanks for the help." Delilah sarcastically said as she rolled her eyes.

Adam brought his hands to his hips. "Excuse me?"

Crossing her arms, she retorted, "I thought we had also come to the understandin' that we're too old to be bossed around."

"Bossed around," Adam repeated sardonically.

"Yes! Bossed around. And we're too grown to be punished. We ain't four years old, Daddy."

"Exactly, Delilah! You ain't four. You're fourteen. You don't have the excuse of a four year old's ignorance.. you know better than to lie to me, yet you still did it. It was a conscious decision you made, and a piss poor one at that."

"Okay, but what you're doin' is archaic. It could be considered abuse!"

A deep scowl formed on Adam's face. In two strides he was standing before her. He towered over her and spoke in a voice that barely contained the anger he was feeling.

"You ain't ever been abused a day in your life, young lady." With that, he grabbed her arm and began taking her toward her bed, but she pulled back with all her might.

"WAIT! Daddy, I'm too old for this!" she argued.

"Delilah Katherine, you've earned this, you and I both know it. Now quit!"

He pulled her closer to him with little effort. She knew she couldn't pull herself free from his grasp so instead, she went limp. Not wanting to hurt her shoulder, Adam followed her body downward.

"Get up."

"No! I don't.. I don't want a..Daddy, please.."

"You're gettin' this spankin' one way or another, little girl. You don't lie to my face and expect to get away scot free. Not anymore. Now. Get. Up."

"Nooo," she whined, "Daddy, I promise I won't ever lie to you again!"

"You promised me that two months ago, and yet here we are. I ain't gonna tell you again. Get up, or else..." He left his threat veiled knowing she would know his assistance would only lead to bigger problems for her. Yet still she remained seated on the floor.

"Fine," Adam spat. He released her arm, and instead bent down to pick her up. She started scooting away and kicking her legs. She thrashed about to avoid his grasp but his reach was just too great and his strength was just too overpowering.