Page 3 of My Ex-Boyfriend's Daddy

She reaches over and pats my hand. “We’ve all had stars in our eyes, hon. Don’t be too hard on yourself.”

I shake my head. “But I should’ve known. The signs were there. He didn’t have a steady job, my salary was stretched trying to cover groceries and extra bills. And if that wasn’t enough, I’m sure he was cheating on me. Do you have any idea how emotionally draining that was?”

“Remember Anthony? You’re preaching to the choir, sweetie. And you were there for me when I broke up with him, the same way I’m going to be here for you. You’ve been toughing it out since you left high school, Sidney. We’re gonna get through this, one day at a time.”

I take another sip of tea and sigh. “These guys are dangerous, Mich. And they don’t believe me when I tell them I don’t know where Grant is right now. The threats are getting worse. They pulled a knife on me tonight.”

I drop my eyes as I see her eyes widen in shock.

I take a deep breath as tears prick my eyes. I close them. I’m tired of crying now. “Thank goodness it was more of a scare tactic.”

A chair scrapes the floor and then Michelle’s arms envelop me. The tears come pouring down my cheeks.

"I worked hard to get this job, dammit! Night school, working three jobs for minimum wage to make ends meet, and it’s all gone because of that damn man! Fuck you, Grant Duncan. If only I could turn back the last two years and just keep walking instead of going into that damned coffee shop!”

“It’s alright, honey. We’ll get through this.” She strokes my hair comfortingly. I look up at her through my tears.

“Are you sure I won’t be in the way? I know you need every available space when you have these massive projects.”

“I’m between projects now. Look around. Do you see any cords lying around?”

I laugh. “True.”

“Good. And even if I were working, I’ll always have space for you. I haven’t forgotten your kindness to me when I thought I was going to lose my mind, Sidney. I’ve got you, hon.”

“Thanks, Mich. I wish I knew my gift the way you do, though. You know, my calling. Something I can do that makes me happy and gives me enough money not to depend on a nine to five.”

“It’s not all glamour, Sid. I work on commission. And I pray the day never comes when people are no longer interested in macrame and crochet.”

“I just think there’s more to my life than being an efficient secretary and administrative assistant.”

“Well, maybe thatisyour gift. Not everyone knows what it takes to organize an office.” She goes back to her seat and looks me in the eyes. “Sid, I think we should go to the police tomorrow. These thugs are getting more and more reckless. And they are dangerous. Ruthless. I don’t want anything to happen to you, hon. I think it’s time to get the authorities involved,” she says.

“I don’t want—” I start to shake my head, fear slithering back inside my chest.

“We have to. And I won’t take no for an answer,” Michelle argues.

“At least let me think about it.”

“Okay, sweetie,” she agrees before standing up and heading to her room. Michelle cleans up while I flip through the channels. She pops back in the living room to wish me goodnight before returning to her room. Lying awake and too anxious to sleep, I mindlessly browse through the news channels. My heart sinks with the reports of criminal activities sweeping through the city – and no one is exempt. By the time I turn off the television in the middle of a report on a family found dead in their basement after a home invasion gone wrong, I’m again in tears. I sniff as I drag myself to bed.

I lie looking up at the dark ceiling for what feels like eternity, the tears running down the sides of my face and into my hairline. There are random screams of emergency vehicle sirens as they race from one scene to another. I feel so lucky to be alive when I remember how close I came to being a statistic this evening. My body could’ve been lying in a cold dirty alley somewhere. The more I think about it, the more I realize Michelle is right.

Tomorrow, we’ll go to the police.

Chapter two

Archer

“No!Youlisten!I’veenabled you long enough and I’m done. I’m sick of it! Do you think this is some sort of joke? You’re a junkie and you need help!” I feel a muscle in my jaw tick as I pace the office.

“You’re a fine one to talk about junkies, you asshole!”

“Iam your father! And you will treat me with respect!”

“Drop dead!”

“I’ve done nothing but my best to help you.”

---