Miss Jackson {b.u.}

{98}

June 03 2019:
Today was one of Clover's dance recitals. So far, she had been on top. Winning first place at each competition, but, she also had lost some on the way. I had everyone else in Joanne's family sit away from the kids and I.

Joanne had left earlier in the morning with Clover to get her into their dressing room. I had a seat saved to my right for her. River sat on Daphne's lap on my left. Freddie and Bella sat on my lap. My head turned in all sorts of directions, searching for Joanne. I glanced down at Freddie and Bella, making sure they were okay and occupied, "You need anything, snotface?"

Daphne glanced at me, then gave her hand to River to play with, "no, daddy. Im fine."

I nodded my head slightly at her, "good."

I turned around, looking at the entrance to the small auditorium. When Joanne still hadn't entered, I clicked my tongue against the roof of my mouth and turned my attention back to the stage. I grabbed the small pieces of rolled paper in my pocket out and leaned over, with my arm over Freddie and Bella's stomach, "watch this, then copy me, alright?"

Daphne furrowed her eyebrows and I tipped my head at her a bit. I crumbled the small piece into a ball and shut my one eye and slightly pointed at someone in the crowd, "you see that person with the tag stickin' out their shirt?"

Daphne nodded her head and I winked at her. I aimed to the right a bit, angling the way I wanted to small ball to go. I took a deep breath and tossed it right at the person I was aiming for. I heard Daphne gasp and she turned to me, "Can I try, daddy?"

I pulled another piece of the small rolled up paper and handed it to her. I watched as she crumbled it in a ball and she looked over at me. I held up a finger and began to scan the room for our next victim. I motioned with my head to the left and down a few rows. Daphne looked over there and I leaned over to her more, "aim for the back of the head. After you throw it—act normal. Play with your brother or somethin'. And hurry before your mom comes."

I watched closely as Daphne began aiming for the person I had pointed out. I smirked and patted her back, letting her know that she could do it. In a split second, she could throw it. And she could hit or miss, "what're you doing?"

I glanced back quickly, "throwing little balls of paper at the back of people's heads," I began and quickly turned around, tapping Daphne's arm, "we weren't doing anything."

There, Joanne sat. She took Freddie from my lap and raised an eyebrow at me, "really?"

Daphne sighed and handed the rolled up paper to me. I put it into my pocket, then leaned back in the chair. I looked over at Joanne as she set her bag down, "what took so long?"

Joanne sighed, "she got nervous," she began and pulled the strands of hair off of her glossed lips, "she was almost in tears-"

I put my hand up, "well, is she okay?"

Joanne looked at me, "if she really is like you, I think she will be just fine."

I smiled softly and I slowly grabbed her hand and interlocked our fingers together. I loved watching Clover dance on stage—although it wasn't anything super intricate. Still, Clover looked like a princess on stage and she always looked so beautiful.

Joanne pulled her hand away and I watched as she pulled her phone out to start recording. I quickly pulled mine out, holding horizontally and pressing record, "and our first routine is a lyrical and it is called The Princess and The Frog. Please give it up for Miss Clover!"

I got up and propped Bella on my hip as everyone clapped, "that's my girl!"

I felt Joanne pull at my arm, causing me to sit down. I fixed Bella and sat her down on my lap and Joanne leaned in, "shut the fuck up. You're gonna make her nervous."