meet me at midnight.

3.

A:N: Desiree's faceclaim Lovie Simone Oppong

Tuesday dragged and I wanted to slam my face into my headboard when I woke up in the morning. Last night, Lionel had arrived home, drunk again. Mom had gone to bed early to avoid him and as such, he'd crashed on the couch. He'd go to the office hungover. I felt a twinge of satisfaction at his suffering.

I got dressed into my stripy sweater and jeans. I schooled my excited smile into a neutral expression. Hungover or not, Lionel would notice if I was slightly happier and it would arouse his suspicion and I couldn't risk him finding my dress.

I went downstairs. Mom and Lionel were at the table. He was reading the New York Times again and mom was buttering a slice of wholewheat bread. I entered the kitchen and murmured good morning. Mom caught my eye and gave a conspiratorial smile before Lionel noticed. I sat down and helped myself to toast.

Lionel set the paper down and smiled at the both of us. Mom managed a benign smile and I chewed my toast, slowly.

"Tomorrow I'll be out of town for a couple of days," Lionel chortled. "Big client meeting."

"That sounds wonderful." Mom smiled again.

"If I can get this client then it'll mean more money in the kitty for us." He grinned.

"Well, if that's the case, perhaps we could lower Daisy's rent a little?" Mom tried to take advantage of his good mood.

"You girls, always trying to cause mischief." He said, getting up.

He pressed a kiss to mom's cheek and hugged me, squeezing my shoulder. His grip hurt and I fought to stop myself wincing. He left and we waited for the door to slam. Mom waited an extra moment for the lock to click.

"You kids should come back here after you date and have a movie night." She said, instantly beaming.

"He won't notice?" I asked, hoping my step-dad hadn't set up surveillance cameras, he kept threatening to, but mom had stopped him.

"No, you know he'll be two states away, getting drunk with his colleagues." Mom said.

I grinned at that and leaned forward, hugging her. We could take advantage of Lionel being gone. I went to college and tried to countdown the hours till tomorrow. I could wear my dress when I left the house and feel like a normal girl.

******************

Wednesday finally arrived and I went downstairs in the morning, wearing my usual clothes. Lionel's suitcase was by the front door. I schooled my face into a neutral expression, possibly with a hint of melancholy that my step-dad was leaving. If it was convincing enough, he wouldn't think anything was out of the ordinary. He seemed pleased when I walked in half an hour before my alarm was due to go off.

"Well, how thoughtful is this?" He grinned at my mom.

"Thought I'd come and see you off," I said, trying not to ramble. "And wish you luck."

"That's my girl. Your dad doesn't need luck. I've got this in the bag." Lionel said.

Mom noticed the faint glimmer of pain in my eyes when he referred to himself as my dad. He knew I hated it, but he'd scream at me if I protested. I plastered the fakest smile on my face and sat down. Lionel Parker wouldn't break me and my resolve strengthened. We ate breakfast in relative silence.

Mom and I walked Lionel to the front door and waved from the porch, like two war widows saying goodbye to their loved one. Lionel lapped it up, kissing mom and hugging me. He walked to the car, loading his suitcase into the back. We watched him climb into the car. He reversed out of our drive. Mom even blew him a kiss and smiled delightedly.