Irresistible

Chapter 16

FLASHBACK

I waited ever so patiently for Daddy to finish breakfast. But he was taking so long, and I was so excited to go to Coney Island. He promised we could go when he was done eating.

"Daddy, hurry!" I cried.

"Be patient, Char." Daddy said.

"But you're taking forever, Daddy." I said.

"Baby girl-" he started.

His phone ringing cut him off.

"Hello?"

His face became very angry, and he looked at me. I thought I was in trouble until he stood up and left the room. But I secretly followed him.

"Sally, don't you dare. Stay away from her." He growled. Daddy had never sounded so scary to me before.

"I don't give a damn. Stay away from Tori." He said.

Moms name was Sally.

"Daddy?" I asked when he hung up.

"Tori, what are you doing in here?" He asked.

"Was that Mom?" I asked.

"Yes. Go get ready. We're going soon." He said.

"Why did you tell her to go away? Don't you want her to come back?" I asked.

"It's more grown up then that, Tori. Now please, do what I said." He said.

"But daddy-"

"Damn it Tori! Go!" He yelled.

I began to cry and ran to my room. After a few minutes he came after me. "Tori, let me in baby." He said.

"No! You won't let me see my mom!" I cried.

"Your mom will hurt you, Tori. I'm just trying to make you safe." He said.

"You hate me!" I sobbed.

"Tori Charlotte Eaton, don't you dare say that!" He yelled. It made me cry more.

After awhile I calmed down and let him in my room. He said he was sorry for yelling and we hugged. Then we went to Coney Island. It was the best day. Daddy took me on my very first roller coaster, and I was so scared. But he was strong and kept me safe. He took me wherever I wanted to go, and bought me whatever I wanted. It was my day.

Then we had to go home. Daddy was saying he'd make me a cake and everything would be great.

That's when his phone rang again. Daddy answered it and there was a big fight. He stopped the car and we got out at a gas station. He sat me at a table and walked away to yell.

He never came back. I went to the man behind the counter and told him my daddy was missing. He called 911 thinking Id been abandoned. The police looked around for him and found his body a few hours later. They didn't know what happened. A policewoman walked over to me to talk after they found him.

"Are you Tori?" She asked.

I nodded. She asked a lot of questions, and one question was what my birthday was.

"March 13th." I told her, sniffling.

The woman looked both surprised and sad.

"Happy birthday, Tori."

END OF FLASHBACK

They never figured out what happened. Daddy died, and the police had no clue if he'd been hit by a car or if someone murdered or what.

I didn't realize I was crying until Pete appeared next to me. "Hey," I said. "Hey." He said. "They told me what happened. I'm so sorry, Charlotte." He said.

I knew the nickname was to make me smile, but it wouldn't happen. "I'm just praying." I said.

He held my hand. "Me too." He said.

"Is he still in surgery?" A woman I didn't know asked. She must've seen the look on my face, because she explained.

"I overheard your friends tell you what happened earlier. I thought I'd be nice." She said.

"He is." I said.

"I'm Sandra. Sandra Delly." She said, extending her hand.

I was shocked. "Officer Sandra Delly?" I asked.

"Um, yes?" She said.

"Oh my god. You talked me when I was nine years old. On my birthday. My father died." I said.

"Oh, my god. Tori!" She said.

"I never thought I'd see you again." I said.

"The feeling is mutual. Why is it we meet under bad circumstances?" She asked.

"I... I don't know." I said.

"Well, i hope this situation gets better." She said. She patted my back and stood up, walking away.

Then she stopped and looked down at her watch.

"Oh, and happy birthday Tori."