Otis Langston
"Dad? Say something" she urges.
"What should I say?" I question because I genuinely don't know what I should answer.
"You had me at 9?"
"Sort of, yeah. I mean obviously I didn't have you, a woman did" I try to explain.
But there is no way I can say this without traumatising the kid.
"So you had sex when you were nine? Was it an accident?" She asks, a look on her face screaming please say yes.
"Uhm...yeah I guess so"
"Dad.."
"Well it wasn't really consensual....." I wish she didn't know what that means but who am I kidding. She gasps again as she begins tearing up.
"Dad...oh my god" she hugs me so tight I couldn't breathe.
"I'm sorry I had to tell you this" I apologize.
"No, no...tell me everything. I'll be there for you, I'm a kid. But I'm your daughter, I'll try to understand you and" she sniffs.
"It wasn't a big deal....well like I said it wasn't consensual, and the woman had you...it would be a shame to call her your mother anyways. So, she didn't want you and I just had to raise you like a little sister. But as I grew up I realised, I needed to be your father to be responsible for you so I had to do things. You know, the courtroom etc etc and had to get a job and everything. But one thing I can say is that I will never regret one thing. I will never regret raising you, I will never regret it dear. Never"
"How old was that woman?"
Oh god I hoped the topic would change.
"25 I guess"
She gulps loudly as she hugs me tighter.
"And Katie?"
"Uhm...she isn't really my daughter, or at least I think. One day I got a call from an orphanage saying that a woman left a baby who was supposedly my daughter. So I raised her too. But it's not easy raising two people so I had to ask your grandmother's help" I explain as simply as I can.
"I'm so sorry dad" she hugs me more.
"You-you are the best dad I could ever ask for...and i-i am very sorry so so sorry about the way I treated you, I'm sorry dad. You're amazing ok? Not even your own daughters can change that fact. You're perfect. You're this amazing person who was punished for no reason and you're still here...and I'm very proud of you dad" she hiccups and continues her encouraging words as I cry a little too.
"I am not perfect. I'm sorry you had to go through all that. I thought I was doing what's best for you" I say sincerely.
"No no you did your best. I'm just an ungrateful brat. You taught me how to ride a bike, okay you did not let me outside to gain experience but you still taught me. You taught me how to be respectful, you taught me the good the bad. And I couldn't be more lucky. I'm sorry dad I'm very sorry. You deserve the best"
I cry a little more as I hug her harder.
"I'll do better ok? I'll get you a therapist, I'll take you out more. And...I'll accept your grandmother's help and probably quit my job and do something better ok? I promise I'll try harder sweetheart"
"I love you dad. I love you so much. And you have to believe me when I say that everytime I told you I hate you I never meant it. I'm sorry. I love you. I'll do better too. I'll not be self destructive, I'll go to my amazing dad if I have any problems. I'll be better too"
"I love you Hazel. Way too much" I kiss her hair and embrace this moment just for a minute.
~~~
The next day, I get ready and wait with my kids as I have breakfast.
Some guy opens the door and peeks as Lucy lets him in.
"Otis, this is Adam, and he'll be your driver from today"
I give her a look in shock.
"Oh uhm ok. I'll be out in a minute, please wait outside Adam" I tell him politely and he leaves.
"What happened to Rome? Is he okay??"
She sighs. "Well, Rome quit the job himself. I didn't force him to" she explains.
I was the one to fire him but...I thought she would've talked to him or something.
"Otis, don't feel bad but you scared him real good. He said something like 'I don't want to be scared in my workplace, I'm sorry Lucy I can't continue working for you' and he left"
I gulp my food and open my phone to see if there's any text.
Taylor
Hey Otis, sorry or maybe not sorry, I'm quitting the job...and you'll probably not see me again. I mean you will see me but I don't think I'll get to crack nice jokes or blab about my comics with you. Anyways I'm very sorry for what I did, in the future I'll try not repeat such a mistake. And I hope you get better, I hope you don't stress yourself too much, I wish the best for you and your family...and...goodbye :))
Shit. I'm the world's biggest dick ever. Goddamn it. One friend and I ruined it. Shit. I try not get fazed by this and get ready to leave.
I explain everything to Adam and we start. He's very quiet, he doesn't talk with any of us except if needed. That's good. I guess.
~~~
1 year later
I was going to the nearby shop to get something to eat when out of the blue I am being dragged away somewhere. I was about to throw a punch when I notice it is Rome. He puts a finger asking me to be quiet.
As he drags me away, I take in his appearance.
Bruised, his face looks like a skeleton, and he looks like he's been crying. A lot. For a second I couldn't recognise him.
He drags me into a bar and into a bathroom.
"Give me your phone, open Adam's chat and give it to me. Quick. Please"
It's not like I can deny, I open it and give it to him. He texts something as quick as the lightening and returns it to me.
Me
Hey Adam, I'm feeling a little down. Go home and tell mom I'll be back by 8 and tell the kids not to worry. Sorry for troubling you :)
"Does it sound like you?" He asks.
"Just the emoji.... I'll remove it"
I hit send.
"So....what's up?" I ask trying not to panic.
"I have to be quick. Listen to me. You have to make Adam quit, but you have to be subtle, don't make it a big deal. Give some bullshit reason or something, just don't let him near you guys anymore? Please just-"
He tries to catch his breath. I can see he's going to have an anxiety attack.
"Hey shh...go slow. What's wrong?"
"Nothing nothing. All you need to know is that he's not a good person he has bad intentions, and he is kind of abusive too. So just please get away from him" he begs.
YOU ARE READING
Defiance
RomanceOtis Langston has just settled into his new house with his two kids and his mother. His kids are his motivation to live, he values them more than his own life. His mother is quite worried if he'll ever open up his heart again....well to answer her...
