My Peculiar Man

Three

"Get up sleepy head. It's eight already. You're going to be late for school. "

I rolled over and smiled sleepily, my eyes still closed. That voice is one of my favourite sounds in the world. The voice of my father. And by the delicious smell of pancakes wafting towards my olfactory senses, he brought me breakfast as well.

Timothy Thall may be the mayor of Charleston, but he was never too busy for his only child.

"You're the best, Dad," I mumbled, eyes still closed. 

"I know, the best dad in the world. Now, are you going to get up by yourself or do I have to pour ice-cold water on you?"

I groaned drowsily, opening my eyes.

 Dad smiled. 

I was close to both of my parents, but my father and I had a unique bond since I was little. Probably because he was more likely to let me do as I wanted. Mother didn't mind, maybe because I didn't love her any less. 

"I'm getting up at once. You don't have to make threats. Where's Mum?"

 I yawned, sat up and stretched my arms.

After the tragedy I went through at the party last night, I was sure both my parents would come in the morning to comfort me with breakfast.

"Mum had to leave early. She was called for an emergency meeting. You know how important your mother is to the firm. I stayed behind to make sure you get to school okay."

I smiled as he placed the breakfast tray carefully on my lap.

"Thanks. I should be fine now. Meeting Carla West has kind of reduced the pain of humiliation."

He laughed. He knew how much I loved Carla West.

"Yes. That girl is definitely remarkable. She's not even thirty yet and she owns the biggest cosmetic brand in the country. I am very impressed. Did she mention anything about giving you an internship? It's been a week since I spoke to her."

"No," I said glumly, playing with the fried eggs on my plate. "She didn't say anything about that."

"Now, don't you make that face", Daddy scolded me. "I'm sure you'll get a call any day now. Who could ever reject you? You're the best."

I smiled happily, chewing on my eggs.

"Of course."

"That's my girl."

I was so grateful for my parents. They were a very important part of my life and I couldn't imagine my life without them. 

He stayed until I had finished my breakfast.

"You want me to drop you off for school?"

"John will drop me off. I'm sure you have lots to do. You go ahead and do your thing. I'll take some time to get ready."

"Okay. Call me if you're feeling down again."

"Sure, Dad. Please tell Rosa to come and get the tray."

Rosa was our old housekeeper who had been with us forever.

He kissed me on the cheeks and left.

I took some extra time to get ready that day, taking more time than usual to shower, carefully applying my makeup and choosing my outfit with care. After last night's demeaning events, I wanted to feel particularly pretty.

It wasn't like I didn't take care to groom well every day. Girls in my school looked up to me as their role model. Therefore I had a responsibility to look good always, at all times.