Page 33 of Leland

Most of the small town knew about the attack and I’d had to answer this question so many times that my answer felt rehearsed.

“I’m feeling much better. Thank you for asking.”

“Good. We can’t have the best artist in Strickland down and out.” I’d realized after this week, just how loved I was by the town too. Even though they’d often seen my fits of temper, they still loved me, just like my Daddy and the rest of my friends..

“If I’m the best artist, how come you have Leland tattoo you?” I teased, making him chuckle.

“Because you were full for the next six months when I started coming here, sassy pants.”

Laughing, I went to tell Daddy that Sam was here, only to be reminded of the thunder twat in his lap. I slapped my hands over my mouth when I thought those words about Paisley. I loved her. The jealousy monster just had a tight hold on me.

“Sam’s here,” I told Leland while trying to calm the monster inside of me.

“Rouge, Daddy wants to talk to you. It was rude…”

I covered my ears with my hands. “I can’t hear you.”

“Rouge Mary Kay!” he scolded, before pulling a thermometer from under Paisley’s arm. He looked relieved, so I knew that must mean it was lower.

Rolling my eyes, I removed my hands, hating that he’d used my entire name. I was named Rouge Mary Kay because my momma was selling Mary Kay when Emily and I had been conceived and the Rouge Cream Formula had been her biggest seller. I wasn’t sure why Emily had gotten an actual name.

“Go have a seat in the naughty chair.”

“No.”

“Excuse me, Little girl?”

“No, I don’t want to sit in the naughty chair. I’m not the one being naughty.”

“Really? You don’t think saying ugly words and then walking away when Daddy was talking to you was naughty?”

Tapping my long black acrylic on the door frame of his office, I pretended to consider his words. “No.”

“No?” he asked, incredulously.

“No. You’re being naughty though.”

“I’m being naughty?”

“Yes. Why do you keep repeating what I’m saying? Is it your hearing? Is it ‘cause you’re so very old?”Ohmygosh.

“Please tell me how I’ve been naughty? Have I been disrespectful?”

“No.”

“Have I walked away while you were talking to me?”

“No.”

“Have I said ugly words?”

“N-no.”

“Then how was Daddy sassy to you?”

I scrubbed my foot along the tile on the floor. “I dunno.”

“Go. Sit. In. The. Chair.”

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