Page 8 of Lacey's Daddy
“I went through the eighth grade.”
“And then you just didn’t go to high school?” His brow is furrowed.
I shake my head. “My father told them we were moving. He needed me to help out more around the house. After my mother died, it was hard for him to keep up.” I don’t know why I’m defending him. I hate him, but I don’t want to say or do anything to make my situation worse.
Brian lifts my good hand and holds it in his, stroking my knuckles. “Do you make mistakes sometimes, Little one?”
I slowly nod, feeling the tears coming back.
He lifts my hand to his cheek and holds it there for a long time while he closes his eyes and breathes in and out through his nose.
Finally, he lowers my hand but he lifts it above my head as he does so. His expression is serious again. “I’m going to lift your dress higher, Little one.”
My lip quivers. “Please don’t do that,” I beg.
“I want to see what other booboos you have, Baby girl.”
“I…I don’t have on a bra,” I murmur. I’ve never owned one. Luckily I’m small enough that it doesn’t matter, but the reason I’ve never owned a bra is because my father has never acknowledged me even going through puberty. He never spoke to me about becoming a woman or even getting my period.
Luckily, I heard girls talking about starting their periods in the bathroom at school in eighth grade. I hid in the stall a few times and listened to them until I knew what to expect. I even took some of the pads from the school bathroom so I would be prepared.
Brian thinks for a moment. “Okay, listen to me. I don’t want to make you more embarrassed than you already are here in the club. We’re going to leave now, but I’m not going to let you go back to that house, Lacey.”
I shudder. “I have to go home, Sir.”
“No. You don’t. Not ever,” he insists. “You will go with me, and I’ll help you come up with a plan.”
I shake my head. “I can’t do that. He’ll…” My voice trails off. What am I going to say?
“You said he’s not home now, right?”
“No,” I whisper as he helps me sit upright.
“And you’re sure he won’t come home tonight?”
“No. He won’t. He’ll be back on Sunday.”
“I will take you to your house so you can get some things. Then we’re leaving.”
I stare at him. “When he gets back, he’ll…”
“He’ll what, Baby girl? You won’t be there. He’ll never find you. You are not going to see him again. Not ever, Lacey.”
The thought of that makes me feel a sudden lightness before I realize it’s not practical. I don’t have anywhere to go or anyone to go to. I don’t have a job or an education or any skills. I can’t just leave.
Brian lifts my chin now that I’m sitting on the end of the exam table again. “Lacey, I’m going to help you. You’re not going back.”
“You don’t even live here, do you? Don’t you live on the island where Littleworld is?”
“I do.” He smiles. “Maybe you’ll agree to go back with me,” he suggests.
I gasp. He can’t be serious. “Sir…”
He taps my nose. “You don’t need to worry about that right now. One thing at a time. First, we’re going to go get your things. Then, I’ll take you to my friend’s apartment.”
My breath hitches. “Your friend’s apartment?”
He nods. “He’s not there this weekend, Little one. He lives on the island, too. He keeps a place here for when he visits the mainland. I stay in his place when I come.”
