To Know Him

part five

Gloria was just about to step out to go to the library – for real this time – and phone Mr. Hines from there. She didn't want either of her parents to eavesdrop on her, which they both habitually did whether they meant to or not. When she walked into the living room she was surprised to see that her father was still home although it looked like he was on his way out as well.

"Surprised to see you up this early," he said smiling at his one and only daughter. He had tried for more with his wife but Gloria was all they were blessed with.

"Hi, daddy but I'm always up by this time..." she sheepishly smiled back.

"Ah," he said putting on his cream-colored Panama hat. "You heading out?"

"Just to the library," she lightly shrugged.

"Hmm. C'mon dear, I'll give you a ride."
...

In the Plymouth, Gloria watched her father hastily roll the windows down trying to hide the faint smell of cigar that was still lingering inside. She had caught him once, when she was seven, smoking during a men's bible study hosted at her house. She never peeped a word about it since she was supposed to be in bed fast asleep.

"You got any clue where your mother ran off too?" He said reversing out the driveway.

"Doesn't she have bible study and tea at the elderly woman's home on Saturdays?"

"Oh... yeah, yeah that's right," he rubbed his dimpled chin.

Gloria could sense his mind was elsewhere. But it was the weekend, he always seemed to have his sermons and such running through his mind when Sundays neared.

"So, you've been going to the library a lot lately?" He said glancing at her while she nervously fiddled with her hands in her lap.

"Well, it's a good place to cool off and read. Better than being cooped up in the house all summer..."

"Only appropriate books, right?"

"Oh, of course, daddy," but the reality was she hadn't read a single book all summer. She hadn't even so much opened her bible outside of Sunday's when she had to read a few lines of scripture out of obligation.

"Good girl," he reached over, putting his hand on the back of her neck giving it a light squeeze. "Well, you won't have to be cooped up for so long. I was thinking you can start work at the church Monday," he said excitedly.

"On-on Monday?"

"Or do you have plans?" He condescendingly laughed. "Of course Monday."

"I-I didn't expect to start so soon..." And besides her bike was just about done and she needed the next week for Bill to finish it for her.

"Hmm. I'll tell you what, I'll let you start next Monday. Give you time to, I guess, enjoy the library?"

"Please, that would be perfect."

He pulled around to the next block and parked right in front of the library for her. "I'm assuming I'll see you at dinner? You always get back home so late?" He lifted a bushy brow.

"I get sucked into the pages, you know? I don't even realize..." she let out a nervous laugh. "I also babysit... but uh thanks for the ride, daddy," she leaned over and kissed him on the cheek before stepping out.

When she entered the library all she could think is how relieved she felt to just be away from him. A wave of resentment for him washed over her. It was a feeling she always knew was there but had never dwelled on. She hated that she had those feelings about her own father. But as she grew up she could see right through him.
...