Page 24 of Their Little Snow Angel
Mikayla and I walk in together.
Dad stands over the sink, looking out over the snow-covered deck behind the house. His shoulders rise up and down with his breaths. He faces away as he speaks. “Violet, first—I love you. I love you so goddamn much, words can’t even express it. You’re my little girl and you always will be.”
“I know, Dad. I love you, too.”
He turns around to face me. “So when I want you to leave with me, it’s because I don’t trust those men with you. They’re into some very unsavory things?—”
Mikayla coughs.
“I’m an adult.” I pat Mikayla’s back and get her a glass of water. The rush of cool water into the cup is a welcome distraction. Once she’s set, I continue talking. “Anything I don’t want to do, I know how to tell someone to stop. The last person I dated was my age, and to be honest, Dad, that relationship was the most harmful one I’ve been in.”
“So you broke up with Callum.”
“Yeah. Do you think I’d be here with Brody and Heath otherwise?”
“No, of course not. I was just confused.” He frowns. “You lied to me on the phone. You said you were with Mikayla. I don’t recognize you right now, Vi.”
Mikayla speaks up. “Mr. Clark, she probably lied because she was afraid of this very argument.” She turns to me. “This is new, right? With Brody and Heath?”
“Very new. Since I only broke up with Callum three days ago.”
“So you haven’t had a chance to tell your dad about your new relationship. You hadn’t even told me.” She sounds almost like an attorney, giving a reasonable argument for the benefit of the judge and jury.
“Exactly,” I say.
“Some relationships aren’t wise,” Dad says. “This is one of them.”
More tears spring to my eyes. Again, I blink them away. “You don’t understand. I love them. They love me.”
“Vi.” Dad’s voice breaks. “I want a healthy relationship for you.”
“How about what I want? I want them.”
“Relationships take all different forms, Mr. Clark.” Mikayla says the words casually, but I can hear her censure. She wants him to know he’s in the wrong.
Dad runs a hand through his hair. It’s light brown, the same color as mine, but there are threads of silver at the temples. He scowls at Mikayla before redirecting his ire toward the kitchen door and, I think, Brody and Heath beyond it. “I know relationships take different forms. I just want better for you, Violet.”
“But this is better.” I take a few steps toward him and reach for his hand. “You have to believe me, Dad. The feelings are strong. And I know it’s fast, but it’s real. It’s the most real thing to happen to me.”
His dark brown eyes stare into mine. “You’re sure?”
“I’ve never been surer of anything or anyone.”
He nods. “I’ll lose you if I fight you on this.”
I don’t even want to consider it. “Please don’t fight me on this.”
“I won’t. I love you, Violet.”
“I love you, too. Do you want to stay for the day? We don’t have gifts or anything, but there’s plenty of food.”
“No. I need to get home. I—” He shakes his head.
“What is it?” I ask.
“I have to pack up Retta’s stuff. She’s, well…we’re splitting up.”
Mikayla and I both gasp in shock.
