The Girl Next Door

8.

After school on Friday, I spent an hour in the library. Ben wanted to get ice cream and hang out until the football game but a small part of me didn't want to. Gisella was busy and being alone with Ben made me feel nervous.
I finished my homework without checking my phone because I knew the only person texting me was Ben. He liked to text. When I checked my phone though, it was Gisella. I smiled right away. Suddenly meeting her and Ben at the ice cream shop did sound like fun.
I gathered my books and papers and shoved them into my backpack. On my way home, I finally responded to Ben. I felt bad for ignoring him. When I got home, I didn't expect to see dad's squad car in the driveway. It smelled like fresh apple pie as soon as I opened the front door.
"Daddy? What are you doing home?" I asked, tossing my backpack on the back of the couch. He came into the living room from the kitchen wearing an apron and a smile so big it was blinding.
"Well I came home to take you out for an early dinner but you weren't here. And then I bumped into Estelle. Have you met her yet?" Dad ushered me into the kitchen. "Estelle this is my daughter, Stacy." Dad was using his professional, charming voice. Before I could focus on how beautiful the woman was, I couldn't tear my eyes away from the ring on her finger.
"Bonjour, it is so nice to meet you, Stacy." The woman's accent was thicker than Gisella's. So thick I barely understood her. I nodded and returned her smile.
"Uh yeah, you too. You're baking now dad?"
"Actually no, Estelle baked it. Come try some." He motioned for me to join the two of them at the marble island but it was weird. Why was she over our house baking apple pies? Dad was oblivious to my skepticism. Estelle kept her sapphire eyes on me as she showed off a dimpled smile. Gisella had her mothers cheekbones and the same bubble of confidence surrounding her.
"Actually I have plans. But maybe next time." I said quickly and made a beeline for my room.
After I finished showering, I touched up my makeup and left my hair the same way I wore it in school, sitting in waves over my shoulders. I put on ripped blue jeans, a red sweater and the gold necklace daddy bought me last Christmas.
"Tell me about these plans?" Daddy appeared in my doorway. His arms were crossed and he wasn't wearing the apron anymore. There was more grey in his beard than on his head but only because he was bald. He usually didn't wait this long before he dyed it.
"Gisella and Ben want me to go to a football game tonight. We were gonna get ice cream before."
"Who's Ben?" Daddy raises his eyebrows and frowned. I sighed.
"Just a boy from school. He's Gisella's friend."
"Does Ben have a last name? Is he Gisella's boyfriend?" He came to sit on my bed next to me before asking another question. "What grade is he in?"
"Daddy, stop. Please. I think his last name is Johnson."
"Well I'll drop you off and I'll find out his last name myself."
*****
When dad parked his squad car in the parking lot of Dairy Queen, I tried my best to hide my face. I hated riding in his cop car and he knew it. It was his way in "letting the boys know you're off limits". I tried to get out as fast as I could but it was useless because he was getting out with me.
We saw Ben first, his back was turned. I could feel Gisella's eyes on me before I saw her on the other side of Ben. She smiled as her eyes looked me over quickly.
"Bonjour," after she greeted us, Ben turned around. He glanced at me and then at daddy.
"Hey Stacy, hello sir."
"You Ben last name might be Johnson?" Daddy wasted no time. Ben fidgeted nervously and Gisella welcomed me next to her.
"Uh yes sir."
"Do you like my daughter?"
"Umm I'd say we both like each other..." Ben said nervously and looked at me for support. My mouth dropped and Gisella covered her mouth to stop herself from laughing. I couldn't tell if daddy liked his answer or not.
"You guys need a ride to the game?"
"Oh yes sir, that would be nice." Ben answered too quickly without even asking. I did not want to ride anywhere in daddy's cop car. I could feel my attitude boiling underneath my skin.
"I'm not being nice, I'm making sure my daughter is safe."