The River Speaks

Chapter Five: Once A Day

Chapter Five: Once A Day

Loud knocking on my front door rips me out of my trance of staring out the window at the loud city.

I jump slightly.

I haven't heard my upstairs neighbor stomping around, and Elliot doesn't knock.

Frowning, I push my brown hair out of my face and walk over to the door, pulling it open.

And I swear on my life, I almost start crying on the spot.

Blue eyes that match my own stare back at my, messy brown hair is on his head. A cowboy hat is covering his hair but some of the brown is sticking out of the bottom. A red white and blue plaid button down is on his chest, a pair of jeans, and cowboy boots.

"Daddy." I whisper.

Without a word, he steps forward and pulls me into his arms. He smells musty, like the farm I grew up on. The rip of his hat is pressed against the side of my head. His strong arms wrap around me and I feel like a little girl again, safe.

And he's allowed to be here, because he's my Dad.

Elliot won't hit me if he's here.

But now I'm scared for him to leave.

"Daddy, you need to leave."

"Now there ain't a chance in hell I'm leavin' this place without you, Lilliana Autumn Kindell." He says sternly.

His boots sound like home against the wood floor as he walks into my apartment, setting his hat on the counter.

"You livin' with that boy?" He asks.

"No, he doesn't live here."

He nods slowly, his eyes wandering my apartment.

"Of all my four kids, you were the last one I expected this from. You love the farm, Lil. You spent every day from sun up to sun down with Ruby."

"How is Ruby?" I ask, wringing my hands together.

"Ruby is fine."

"Is she getting attention?"

"She's getting' plenty." He crosses his arms over his chest. "Winter is pregnant."

"Really? How far along is she?"

"About three months." He says. "I'm not here to talk about the farm, Lilliana, but you already know that."

"Daddy, I'm fine-"

"Lilliana, you can't tell me you like it here." He takes a step closer to me. "Tell me you love it here and mean it."

I look at the window and then back at him.

"I can't."

"Why?"

"Because I don't love it here."

"So come home. Your Mama is worried sick. Ruby misses you. Noah, April, and May miss you. And Madeline calls once a week to see if we heard from you. Her brother is single, and Mama-"

"Daddy, I told you and Mama I don't want to marry somebody without lovin' them!"

"Well alright lily pad, but just come home. Forget that boy."

"Daddy, I love him!"

"But he don't love you! You cut us off after you started datin' him, and I know y'all ain't as happy as you're tryna make it seem! Does he hurt you?"

Yes.

"No." I lie.

"Do not lie to me." He says seriously.