Page 21 of Possession

“Next to me, you’re a baby girl.” I can’t help but chuckle. I am being an asshole.

“Can we go? My dad can sometimes space out and leave.” She stands. I lead the way. Outside my SUV is waiting. I take my phone and text Oliver.

Viktor: Have Tina get a full wardrobe delivered to Ava’s bedroom. She is small in tops, twenty-seven in jeans, size four in dresses, medium bottoms, thirty-six C

Oliver: Anything else?

Viktor: I’ll be back in a few hours. I expect everything done

Oliver: Ok. Call or text if you think of anything else

Forty minutes later I am entering the projects. We have been quiet the entire drive. She kept looking out the window lost in thought.

“My house is in the fifth building on the left.” As I drive, I notice this place is rundown. I spot at least two drug dealers. “You can park up front.”

Pointless for her to say. It’s the only option. Her voice quivered. It’s the first time her voice sounds nervous when talking to me. Something worth noting. It makes me wonder about her father. The type of man he is. I get out of the SUV, and wait for her to lead the way. We walk into the building. The stench is unforgiving. There is trash all over the floor. She takes the stairs. We stop on the second floor. She is about to open the door but her father beats her to it. He looks afraid and worried. Perhaps he should.

“Good morning, Mr. O’Brien. Let’s go inside.” I say before he has a chance to speak. Inside the place is even more rundown than outside but everything is clean and in order.

“What is the meaning of this?” He questions me as the door closes behind us.

“Ava, get what you want to bring. I am going to talk to your father.” She doesn’t say anything and starts walking.

“My daughter isn’t going anywhere with you. We will pay your money.”

“Your daughter is going to be my wife. Your debt is cleared.”

“My daughter is not going to sell herself for me.”

“No one said she was. I will take care of her. Something you aren’t capable of. Going forward, she will no longer pay your debts.”

“You can’t take her from me. We take care of each other. She needs me.”

“You mean you need her. You are a grown man who is capable of looking after yourself. She deserves a life free from you.”

“I won’t stand for this. Ava, you aren’t going anywhere.” He walks to where I imagine is her bedroom. I follow him. “Stop packing.” He tells her.

Looking at her bedroom, it’s worse than I could have imagined. She has a bag barely held together. Her closet is nearly empty but her bag is not half-filled. She sleeps in a twin bed. There is a small fan in the window. Summers must be brutal for her. The curtains look like they were once a bright yellow. A small nightstand with a lamp whose shade is broken. A few books on the floor. I’m angry with what I am seeing. She shouldn’t live like this. I walk into the bedroom and stand beside her.

“You don’t have to take anything you don’t want.” She doesn’t speak. She walks to the books on the floor. As she puts them in the bag, there is a sadness in her eyes I hadn’t noticed before. I zip her bag and take it.

“Pumpkin, you don’t need to do this. I will figure something out.”

“Dad, I’ve been dating Viktor for some time. We just didn’t tell anyone. It’s why I was so angry when you told me you owed him money.” I’m surprised by her convincing lie.

“I thought you were with that Nathan boy.” She freezes.

“We weren’t exclusive until now.” I answer for her.

“I’m going to be fine, Dad. I love Viktor.” She finally says. Her father still looks unsure.

“Pumpkin,” he starts.

“This is what I want. Be happy for me. Viktor makes me happy. You are acting as if you will never see me again. I’m just going to live somewhere else.” I lead us out.

“Mr. O’Brien, I will take care of her. We have to go, Ava.”

“Dad, I love you. You call me if you need anything.” She walks over and hugs him. She says something I can’t hear. But somehow, I know it’s not about the arrangement. “See you later in the week.”

---