Memories

sister

Instead of cleaning like he asked, he didn't really care if I did or not. I went to my room and put on some music. It was very calming, and I didn't really have anything else to do. My room's pretty small so it's not like I can fit a doll house or whatever in here. Not that I would, I was twelve and proud to never have had a doll house. Not that I could have had one, but nevermind back to the story.

"A! A! J! Aaaaaaaaa!"

"Coming!"

I ran up the stairs as fast as I could, because she cannot wait. She has literally no patience. Which is expected with her age I suppose.

"Whadya' want?"

"Daddy!"

"Your daddy can't come, you have me."

"But I want daddy!"

"What the heck do you want that jerk for?"

"You said bad word!"

"No I didn't. Besides how would you know what's a bad word? You're just a baby."

"Not. I'M ALMOST FOUR!"

"Exactly, three year olds don't know bad words."

"This one does. That's so teropical. And don't talk about my daddy like that."

"Teropical isn't a word. You mean stereotypical and that still isn't the right word."

"No, I mean teropical. I heard Daddy say it about policemen in some show."

"Whatever, your Daddy can't come. He's working again. Not really sure why, he never uses that money to do anything for us. You still live in this closet. And this house hasn't had any kind of repairs since I was two."

She gave me the most judgemental look someone her age can give.

"Can I watch Rivedale? Please?."

"No, does he really let you watch that show? It isn't appropriate for you. It's a teenage drama. Technically, it's even inappropriate for me. Not that that stops anyone my age"

"Stop please. Daddy does let me watch, and it isn't inadopet. It's funny."

How did she find it funny? I didn't think it's that funny, and I was, somewhat, the right age to watch it then, I technically still am, and I find it. Not funny, we'll say that.

"Why don't you watch something like, Barney or Odd Squad, or whatever kids your age watch."

"No. You should know what to do. "

"Well, normally, whenever I watch you you're either asleep, eating or playing with yourself."

"Today I'm not, and Imma watch Rivedale."

"Sure, you know what, you do that. I'm going to go to my room."

"And do what? Text your boyfend?"

"Ew, he's not my boyfriend! Besides what do you know. Just watch your 'Rivedale'."

I picked her up and twirled her around before putting her on my hip to carry downstairs. I sat her on the old couch and turned on the TV.

"Have fun!"

"I will!"

So I went to my room and watched videos on my phone. I know it seems weird for me to have a phone, we do have this crazy budget and little to no money at times, but my dad gave it to me before he left. This was also before my mom met Ricky, and everything got even more complicated.

Soon it was 4:30. God, I hope he's back soon. I don't know what to do with Jo if he doesn't come back.

But luckily at 4:45 he pulled into our one-car driveway, in his beat up minivan. He had that even before he knew my mom, which really makes no sense. Like what was a twenty-five year old single guy doing with a minivan?

"Thank you for making it home in time. I gotta get to the rink. Joey's on the couch watching TV."

"Great..."

I had already laced my skates before he had even opened the door, so I just rolled out the door, and down the street to the roller rink.