Fiction.

Chapter 20: Rules.

Chapter 20: Rules.

The serene moment was seized as we drove with only the radio breaking the silence. It was nice and sunny out but the cool breeze fell off the ocean air. Peasnie was lost in thought as she gazed out the window. She looked older than she actually was; she looked eighteen instead of fourteen. Her hair was down in dark lingering curls. She wore a grey tank top under a loosely fitting yellow tank top and she wore a grey hoodie over top. My jeans fell loose on her and her old run down converse were tied tightly. I needed to break the silence, she needed the interaction. I smiled weakly as I drove down the busy streets.

“So what kind of things do you like to do?” I asked keeping my gaze on the road but from the corner of my eye I saw her gaze fall to my face, she pursed her lips and thought about it for a moment.

“I like drumming. I’ve even got a goal for it.” She replied with an enthusiastic tone. Suddenly pride filled me from the top of my head to the tips of my toes.

“What’s your goal?” I asked with the most obvious amount of pride in my tone. She blushed a little bit and nibbled on the sleeve of her hoodie, thinking carefully. She smiled widely and looked at me with glowing blue eyes.

“I want to be the world’s fastest drummer.” She announced with a happy tone. I chuckled happily and nodded. She was just like me and that makes me proud of her. I’m proud of her even if she didn’t like drumming. It’s just you wish your kid will follow in your footsteps and that’s what Peasnie’s doing. And that makes me proud.

“Well you’re the daughter of the fastest drummer in America and the UK. So I believe in you.” I told her proudly. Her face was glowing with glee and happiness like what I said was the first time someone believed in her. I hope I’m not, adults should support their child with their dreams no matter how stupid or crazy they are. But the happy-go-lucky moment ended when more serious things came to mind.

“Is Roger still a drunk?” I asked, I knew I just made her uncomfortable. She swallowed hard, holding her breath she nodded carefully. I felt my face drop as a frown pressed my lips. Her blue gaze met mine briefly.

“He chased after me one night.” She admitted. I was learning alot about Peasnie these last two days. She’s had a rough life and that’s not right. Rosie was wrong for taking her away from me. She knew Peasnie would live a good life with me but no she took my daughter to Chicago and then ditched her instead of bringing her back to me. So for the last ten years so my daughter’s life she’s been tortured. I could’ve given her everything in this world. Just like she deserves.

“I got home a bit late and he was angry with me, he screamed at me to leave. So I did. But he chased me down the street in his car. I peddled my bike as fast as I could but he got me. I was eight years old.” She added sadly.

“I never stepped out of line with him again. Except for this.” She kept going with the things she’s been through. Alot of it I didn’t want to hear, he put his hands on my baby girl. He hurt her in so many ways, next time I see him he better already be dead. My eyes were wide with horror but I didn’t want to scare her so I bit my bottom lip and looked in front of me to the road.

“Don’t worry. I’m not gonna be like him but there are going to be rules.”I stated sullenly. There are obviously going to be rules. She needs someone to keep her in line and I’m here now. I’m not going to let my teenage daughter be anything like me or her mother at this age. She’s going to do well in school, attending everyday and getting A’s and B’s. She’s not going to be free to roam the streets at all hours of the night like her mother did. If she gets into trouble she’ll be punished. She smiled weakly and nodded.

“Like?”

“Like you’re home by ten o’clock. Bed by midnight. You’ll be expected to do chores and shit. And there is one more rule.” I trailed off. She couldn’t help but smile at me widely. This is fucking perfect. I think I was setting reasonable ground rules that she will obey by.

“And what’s that?” she asked with a hopeful tone. I laughed and glanced at her with a smirk that she wore as well.

“No boys.” Yep, it’s that rule. It’s obvious I’m a single dad with a teenage daughter. Yeah so there has got to be a rule on boys. Peasnie smiled and laughed at me lively. I’ve got a feeling she has a trick up her sleeve and this trick is either going to make it or break it. Peasnie raised her eye brows happily.

“And what if I’m gay?” Peasnie asked catching me off guard. I could tell I wore a straight blank expression before looking over to her.

“Are you gay?” I question with an unsure voice. Peasnie was snickering at me silently. Peasnie shrugged and made a face.

“I’m opened minded.” She replied with a cheeky smirk. I sighed and rubbed his temples. Yep she is just like her mother.

“You’re just like your mother.” I said with a light tone.

“What? My mother was a hand full?” She asked. I nodded and smiled. I guess in more ways than one she’s like her mom. They’re both determined strong ladies who ran away from home at fourteen or fifteen. They both are opened minded people. I looked at her with a strong sense.

“Your mom didn’t run away from home because of you. She was going to leave anyways. She never knew her dad either. So she went to Chicago to find him.” I added with an honest voice. Peasnie’s face dropped as her eyes popped out of her head. She shook her head nervously and sat back in her seat.

“I guess we all have answers to find.” She whispered softly, truth is what came out of her mouth.

“We all have some sort of emptiness inside.” I whispered. Peasnie nodded in agreement. Amen to that, I had the feeling I was preaching to the choir with that one. I’ve had this emptiness inside for years and I’ve finally found some answers and it’s not gone. I want to know everything.

I just had a moment. I said my daughter had to attend everyday of school, which means I’ll have to apply her for school. I sighed heavily and smiled from the corner of my mouth.

“Since it’s only March I’m going to go down to the school and register you tomorrow.” I announced happily. Peasnie nodded and smirked.

“Welcome to the family kid.” I added sullenly. The expression on her face was amazing; it lit up like a Christmas tree. She couldn’t help but smile widely and look out the window. I made her feel good, I’m doing this fatherly thing right. That’s good, let’s see if I can keep it up.