He Bought Me

1.

I'm exhausted, working on your feet all day will do that to you. After mom left us and showered us in her debt, I've been working none stop, I had to drop out of high school. Doesn't help that dad drinks almost half his pay-check away, he means well, it's just everything can become a little too overwhelming.

Apartment door D-7 opens and Ms. Rose steps into the hallway. "Hello love" She gives me a warm smile. Her gray hair is held up in tiny rollers to curl her hair. She's wearing a Micky Mouse sleeping gown with black slippers that are a little too big for her feet.

I return the smile, "Hello Ms. Rose, what are you doing up so late?"

Her smile fades, "I'm having trouble sleeping"

I frown, "I'm sorry to hear that. Tomorrow I'll get you some tea"

She holds out her hand for me, I step closer, taking her hand in mine and her smile returns, "Don't worry about me, sweetie. Go home and get some rest"

"You too Ms. Rose" I gently squeeze her hand before letting go. I wait for her to close and lock her door to continue down the hall. I grab my keys from my back pocket then unlock the door and step inside.

"Franky?" Dad yells from the kitchen, "Come here for a sec!"

Please don't be drunk. Please don't be drunk. Please don't be drunk. I lock the door behind me then stroll to the kitchen to find dad wearing navy blue slim fit dress pants with a white long-sleeve button-down shirt. There's a large gift box on the table.

"What's going on?" I ask, fearing the answer.

"We were invited to a party tonight" he forces a smile, "This is for you" he opens the large box and pulls out a blood-red dress.

I gasp, "Dad...how are we affording this?"

"It's a gift. Honey, just wear it, we're going out tonight" he throws me the dress. I catch it and again, I gasp. It's too short and the way it feels in my hands I bet it'll feel awful around my body. He wants me to wear this? I gaze at my father then back at the dress.

"Dad...what's going on?" I feel like even if he answers that question, I'll have ten more waiting for him.

"Go put it on" he snaps, scowling at me. "And put on some makeup"

My feet move without my control and before I know it I'm in my room, stripping down to my underwear. A million and one questions run through my head. Dad's sober so why snap at me? Where did he get these fancy clothes? Who would give us gifts? Like most things I wear, the dress is a little snugged thanks to my curvy body. I struggle to keep the dress from rising any higher. I untie the tie that holds my hair up then my large curls fall on my shoulders. I part my hair down the middle and twirl my finger around strands of my hair to fix my curls. I'm not putting makeup, I don't know-how. I walk back to the kitchen and dad's face falls.

"There are heels," he says, his voice emotionless. He pushes the bag off the table to reveal black heels. I nod my head, grabbing the heels from the table. I sit down and slip my feet into them. They're not too high, I think I can walk.

"I said makeup," He says.

"I don't have anything" I lie then stand up and pull my dress down.

"Let's go, you're driving," He says, walking away. I follow him out.

We keep the radio off so dad can give me direction to some club. I swallow my urgers of asking him more questions. Why? Why the dress? Who are we meeting? Can we keep the dress? It looks and feels new, I can sell it and actually get some real money.

I park down the street from the club. I feel exposed as we walk down the street. How can dad let me leave the apartment like this? We skip the line of people and head to the front. Dad gives the bouncer some name and he lets us in. We step inside. The air is thick with sweat, smoke, and...hairspray? The swirling led lights are blinding. Dad places his hand on my lower back and ushers me to the bar.