Page 28 of Kay
“No, it won’t. Because I’m going to pay the remainder of that bill, Lennon.”
“No!” I said, already shaking my head in protest. “That’s not why I told you about it, Kay!”
“Daddy,” she growled, lowering her forehead to mine.
“That’s not why I told you, Daddy!”
“I know. I would never believe for a second you were asking for a handout, however, I do think you of all people deserve one. Give me the name of the company and I’ll pay it off today. Then call your boss and tell him you quit.”
My eyes must’ve been wide from all she was throwing at me because she pulled me close again.
“Listen, Little girl. I love you. I know we’ve just met, but I’ve been around long enough to know what love is. I want you, forever. I have enough money saved to pay that bill three times over. What I don’t have is the patience to sit back and watch as you work yourself into the ground.”
“I love you too, Daddy.”
“Then let me help you.”
“I... I don’t know what to say.”
“Say, ‘Yes Daddy’.”
“Yes, Daddy,” I sobbed. The weight off my shoulders felt amazing and for the first time I felt like I could actually breathe.
“Text me the name and account number so I can pay it.”
“Yes, Daddy,” I said, immediately doing as she asked.
“Now, text your boss.”
Taking a deep breath I sent a text telling the owner I wouldn’t be returning to the club.
“Good girl,” she said, kissing me on the forehead and then the mouth.
“Thank you, Daddy,” I sobbed again.
“Can you do something else for me, baby?”
“Anything.”
“Move in with me. Let me help you with your depression. I’d feel so much better knowing I could help you keep track of your medicines and check in with you face to face. I know you’re doing well, but any mental-health issue must be extremely hard to handle on your own.”
I tossed her words around in my head. I loved my apartment. It was a reminder of how far I’d come since the day I’d try to end it all. It was my first home after coming out and it was a testament to that, but when I looked at Kay I knew my apartment was just a house and she was my home.
I nodded. “Yes, Daddy.”
Grinning, she wrapped me tightly in her arms. “I love you, Little girl. My life is so much better with you in it.”
When people found out about my suicide attempt, that was usually the first thing they said to me, but with Kay I felt like she really, genuinely meant it.
“I’m glad I’m here with you, Daddy.”
“Me too, Little girl. So fucking glad.”
Epilogue
Four weeks later
Lennon
