repetitive

three

"Daddy. Daddy. Daddy. Daddy. Papa. Dad. Father. Parental guardian. Daddy. Da. Dada. Pa. Daddy. Daddy. DADDY, WAKE UP."

Cracking one eye open, I'm met by a small face. There's a lot of annoyance in that small face though. "Hm?"

"You slept in twenty minutes! I'm going to be late!"

I'm wide awake now. I struggle to pull on my clothes before almost slamming face-first into the floor, yanking on a random shirt hanging on my desk chair.

"Go eat breakfast, Lily."

"I did! I poured the milk for my cereal and everything. I even made a bowl for you!"

"Got your school work?"

"Yes, Daddy. Just move your butt!"

"I'm going, I'm going, jeez." I smirk at the small girl, letting her jump on my back as we head down the hall to the kitchen. Sadly, her breakfast for me is only a soggy mess, so I pour it down the sink and grab a few granola bars for the ride.

While I start putting together Lily's lunch, she sits across from me at the kitchen island counter. "Mr. Wills is teaching us how to paint like the Chinese did today."

"Is he?"

"Yeah! I like doing art. He's nice."

I don't reply at first. Then I ask, "Did he ask about me?"

"He asked the same thing."

"Oh." After putting her juice in, I hand the Spongebob lunchbox over to her. "Got your bracelet?"

She holds up her wrist, flashing me the bracelet with the pin on it that's supposed to let teachers know she's allergic to peanuts. I feel bad for giving her that trait.

"Daddy! Let's go!"

She's already by the door, waiting. I grab my keys on the way, then help Lily into her booster seat. I hold in a swear word on the way to her school because we're already ten minutes late, and I'm rushing her inside once we get there.

Oh God, then I remember Alexander is there. It's too late, though. I'm in the classroom, and Lily waves happily at Alexander who's traveling the room, looking over kid's shoulders while they work.

"Hey, squirt," he greets, strolling over and ruffling Lily's hair once. "There's papers on my desk and paint on your table. Why don't you get set up and I'll be right over to help you get started, all right?"

"Okay!" She runs off to do as she was told while I'm left alone with the teacher.

"Sleep in?" he asks.

"Maybe," I reply. "Lily kicked my butt to get me going though."

"She is quite the butt kicker. So what are you doing these days?"

"I always wanted to be a director."

"I remember," he says with a nod.

I shift a bit awkwardly and continue, "Couldn't really go for my dream job in Hollywood with Lily, though. Not that it bothers me! But I direct plays at the state theater. Probably much more fun than Hollywood."

"Do you act in them?"

"Sometimes."

"Fits you. Now hey, you're only a bit younger than me, twenty-six? Lily is six. What broad did you knock up so quickly, dude?" He laughs and pats my shoulder.

My chest clenches, and my throat feels dry. "I... I'm late for work. See ya, Alexander."

I bolt out of there quite fast. He doesn't know, but it still hurts. I play with the ring that hangs on a chain around my neck, just trying to focus on leaving and getting to the theater. Not about what Alexander said. Not that he called her a broad. I kind of wanted to punch him. What the fuck does he know, he left!