by Kat Addams
“Um … oh. Hi, Dad.” My jaw dropped.
Betty held the phone, impatiently waiting on my conversation. My dick swayed, flopping over and limping to the side like an untied balloon someone had let go into the air, wildly farting around until falling down in a lame lump of useless pecker.
“Jeez, son! What are you doing? This is my tenth call! You need to come to Outer Forks North Hospital.”
“What?” My body convulsed against the ropes. “What’s wrong? Maisy?” My heart pounded against my chest.
Betty reached around with her other hand and began to loosen my restraints.
“She hurt her arm. She’s fine now, but she wants you. Maria and I are up here with her.”
“On my way.” My heart lurched.
I’d read one time that when you made a choice to have a child, you chose to live the rest of your life with your heart outside of your body. It was true.
Panic fluttered in my chest, causing me to shiver and tug against the restraints. I pulled my ear from the phone, nodding for Betty to hang it up.
“You okay? Is Maisy okay?” Betty pulled at the ropes, freeing my hands so we could both work on the ankle straps.
“She’s at the hospital. She hurt her arm. I’m going to kill Maria! She was supposed to be watching her!” I picked my clothes up off the floor and shuffled into my pants.
“Come on. I’ll drive.” Betty stripped her catsuit, ran into the bathroom, and came back out, fully dressed, before I even thought of how to respond to her.
I never introduced Maisy to any women I dated. Ever. No sense in her getting attached to someone who wouldn’t hang around for long. Thankfully, she didn’t remember her mama running, but I wasn’t taking any chances on someone breaking her heart. I already dreaded the day she came home crying from school because some douche bag had dumped her. My fists tightened at the thought of her getting hurt.
“Can I have your keys?” Betty asked. “Remember, you drove me. My car is still at the restaurant. I can have Rox pick me up at the hospital.”
“Are you sure? I can go by myself. It’s fine. I’m fine,” I lied. My hands shook. I stuffed them into my pockets, so she wouldn’t notice.
“Boy, please. Don’t lie. I had you tied up, and then you got some awful news. You’re a nervous wreck. You can’t even drive. I’m looking at ya. Your eyes are bugged outta your head, and your face is as white as that pale ass you need to tan. Now, give me the keys, and let’s go. Besides, I’m fully sober now anyway.”
I tossed her the keys from my pocket and followed her to my car. I was nervous but not too nervous to notice what I’d missed on the way up to her dungeon. Her living room was spotless and orderly. The only items that seemed out of place were two dirty glasses sitting on a bar cart next to a record player. I wondered who she had been playing music and mixing drinks for. It had to have been someone special. I hadn’t gotten music and drinks. I’d gotten tied up instead.
I felt a slight twinge of jealousy sear through my veins before I quickly remembered my reality. I didn’t have time to feel anything other than the pain my daughter was experiencing. I shuddered, running after Betty and into my car.
“Is she at Outer Forks North Hospital or a different one?” she asked, slamming my car door shut.
“Yes. She’s at North.” I strapped in as she spun the tires out of her driveway. I should have known she was a wild driver. I didn’t think there was anything boring or vanilla with Betty.
We drove in complete silence. The hospital was about a twenty-minute trip from Betty’s house, but with the way she drove, I knew we would arrive sooner.
“I’m sorry I cut things short. It’s just … Maisy. She’s … I have to—” I started.
“Hey, Terrance, you don’t have to explain yourself to me. That’s your daughter. You reacted in the way you should have. She’s first. Don’t think anything of it. We can do that again another time. Let’s go get Maisy!”
She pushed her foot on the gas pedal, sending us back into our seats while she weaved in and out of traffic. I reached up, grabbing the oh shit bar above the window, and hung on tight until we made a few quick turns into the hospital parking lot and pulled into an empty space.
“Let’s go!” She tossed me the keys and hopped out of the car. Her heels clacked on the pavement in front of me.
“Where did you learn to drive like that?” I asked, running to catch up to her.
“I dated a race car driver once. He showed me some things.”
Records and mixed drinks, race car driver showing her some things …
It sounded to me like Betty had a fulfilled life or past or experiences or whatever. She had another layer—or five—I wanted to learn about. Even if the thought of her with another man already, oddly enough, made me feel a little jealous. I had never seen her with other men the entire six or so months we’d been flirting at the bar and club. But I wasn’t exactly innocent either. If we compared numbers, I was pretty sure I would come out on top. But then again, maybe not. I didn’t have a sex dungeon in my house.
“Maisy Carter, my daughter, is here with a hurt arm. Can you please tell me where she is?” I said to the nurse, fighting out the words between breaths.
My nerves were getting the best of me, and so was my dad guilt. I’d been fucking around with Betty instead of playing with my own child at the park. If I had been there, this wouldn’t have happened. I always watched Maisy like a hawk.
“Room 201. Down the hall, on the right,” the nurse replied, not bothering to look up from her computer.
Betty grabbed my arm and steadied me as we flew down the hall and into room 201.
“Daddy!” Maisy jumped up before flinching and sitting back down. Her arm was wrapped in a red cast, her favorite color. “Look,” she said, trying to hold it up but flinching again before giving up and lying down on the hospital bed. “It’s red for Gryffindor. Because I’m brave. I didn’t even cry when it happened.” Her bottom lip trembled as she stared up at me. Maria cleared her throat. “Well, maybe just a little. Like this much.” She held her tiny fingers up and pinched them together.
“It isn’t broken. Don’t worry. It’s strained slightly, but Maisy insisted on a cast. And you know Maisy; what she wants is what she gets. The doctor said she’d be fine to wear it for a few days even though she really doesn’t need it,” my dad said.
“I know you have questions,” Maria began, “but she jumped off the top of the slide. I’d had my eyes on her, as always. She was playing with a little boy up there and said he wouldn’t leave her alone. She said she had no choice but to jump because he was blocking the slide. I didn’t see that, but—”
“Aw, honey.” Betty walked over to Maisy and sat down beside her. “You mean to tell me that Slytherin wouldn’t let you pass?”
I shot a look at my dad, who was standing near the top of the bed. His head tilted as he looked from Betty to me and back again. The corners of his mouth twitched in that damn genetic giveaway we both carried when we fought to keep from showing our emotions.
“Mmhmm.” Maisy sniffled.
“Now, coddling a child won’t toughen her up. She needs a rigid backbone.” Maria folded her arms across her chest and stared down at Betty.
Betty narrowed her eyes at Maria. “All girls, boys, everyone needs a backbone. But there’s a time and place to teach that. It’s not in the hospital room when the poor thing is laid up in the bed with a broken arm.” Betty smoothed Maisy’s hair back as she sniffled again.
“It’s not broken,” Maria said through gritted teeth. “Seems to me like you all got this though. I’ll be heading out.” She turned on her heel and stomped out of the room.
“I think you made her mad,” Maisy whispered to Betty. “She’s a Slytherin too.”
“That’s okay. She’s also an adult, and she can handle her own emotions.”
“Yep, I’m still learning that. Daddy’s been teaching me to be mindful and about what to do when I get sad and angry. And also
how to tell people how I feel, no matter what. Like this. You’re pretty. I like your hair. Are you my dad’s girlfriend? What house are you in?” Maisy lowered her voice and shut her eyes tight. “Please don’t say Slytherin. Please don’t say Slytherin.”
“Whoa, slow down there, kiddo.” My eyes pleaded with my dad for help. “Did they give her something for the pain, Dad?”
He blinked and nodded, biting his lip to hold back a laugh.
“I’m not Slytherin. I’m a Gryffindor too. Brave and sometimes stubborn. Okay, a lot of times stubborn. But want to know something?”
Maisy nodded her head.
“I know plenty of Slytherins, too, and they aren’t all bad. But if ever that little boy or anyone blocks you and makes you feel unsafe or tries to hurt you in any way, you scream, Expecto a beatin’! Then, you kick him hard in his quaffle balls and run to an adult for help. Got it?”
My dad bent over, grabbing his sides, and let out a laugh so loud that all three of us jumped.
“Dad, meet Betty. Betty, meet my dad, James. Maisy, this is Miss Betty. Miss Betty, this is Maisy. All right, everything is cool, and we’re going to get Miss Betty a ride home. Thank you for helping me out. I’ve got it from here.” I pursed my lips and motioned for Betty to follow me.
“Betty can’t stay?” Maisy whimpered.
“Is it because I said quaffle balls?” Betty narrowed her eyes at me.
“Those the things you beat with sticks in quidditch right, Miss Betty?” Maisy perked up and even bounced a little in the bed.
My dad snort-laughed before walking to the corner and plopping himself down into the chair in hysterics. “I’m not touching this one,” he said, wiping tears from his eyes.
“Thanks for the help,” I muttered. “Maisy, I’ll be right back. I’m going to walk Miss Betty out.”
“But can she come to check on me tomorrow? My arm hurts so bad.” Maisy frowned, lying back on the bed again and wiggling her cast.
“We’ll see. I think you’ll be a lot better tomorrow though.”
Betty smiled at Maisy. “Nice to meet you, sweetheart. I hope you feel better. Remember, you’re strong and brave. You’re a Gryffindor lion!” She roared, snatching at the air with fake claws.
“Roar!” Maisy called back, swiping her good hand across the air.
Betty waved good-bye to my dad and shuffled outside of the room.
“I’m sorry. Doesn’t she know boys have those parts? You gotta teach her! Boys are vicious. She can get in a lot of trouble one day. She has to know how to defend herself. You think you can be there when things like that happen all the time?” Betty rested her hand on her hip.
“No, no, I don’t.” I pressed my palms into my eyes and groaned. “I’m just not ready yet. And I could have been there today. But I wasn’t. I—”
“Was fucking me,” Betty replied, shifting her eyes behind me, toward the exit. “It takes a village, Terrance. I admire you. I really do. But it takes a village. Sorry about little Maisy.” She pulled her phone out of her pocket and flipped through her Contacts. “I’m sure Rox will be able to get me. You go back in there with your girl. I’m going to get some fresh air. I’ll see you around.” She stepped around me and walked toward the entrance.
“Hey!” I called out after her.
She stopped mid-step before slowly turning back toward me.
“Thank you.” I smiled.
She raised her hand in the air, curling her fingertips into a claw, and swiped the air before baring her teeth into a grin and turning to leave again.
I watched her ass bounce away until she disappeared behind the double doors. I sighed and looked up at the ceiling. I’d experienced enough emotions today to last me the entire year.
“Daddy! I like her,” Maisy said, peeking from around the corner.
I do too, kiddo. I do too.
I shook my head and forced myself back into my father role, giving up on my love life for now.
I only had time for one girl in my life, and she wasn’t going to have anything broken because of me—especially that tiny heart of hers.
Five
Betty
I finally rolled out of bed after hitting the Snooze button on my phone’s alarm eight times. Yesterday had drained me. One minute, I’d been about to give Terrance the ride of his life, and the next, I’d been at the hospital, playing Mother Goose to his little girl, who clearly needed a strong female in her life. I had played that role plenty in my nieces’ lives, my friends’ lives, and even my mama’s life. I was no stranger to being tough.
Growing up in poverty had forced me to grow a thick skin. When I’d gone to school, wearing the same clothes day after day, kids had noticed. And kids could be assholes. My defense mechanism had been to develop a shell or walls. I’d always had walls with people. My walls were made of steel. But I had a soft spot for the next generation of girls. I couldn’t let innocent little girls grow up and turn out like so many women I’d had to help pick up off the ground because of their ruthless men.
I wanted to show them independence, strength, and bravery, just like little Maisy had mentioned. I’d learned the hard way. We had to take care of ourselves because no one was going to do it for us.
“Did you really tell that little girl to kick that boy in the nuts?” Rox asked when I explained to her the entire story.
She’d picked me up from the hospital straightaway.
“Of course I did! He had backed her into a corner, bullying her. You of all people know what that’s like.” I settled down into Rox’s passenger seat and rolled my eyes. “Besides, I didn’t say his testicles. I said quaffle balls. I put some Harry Potter in there. I made it kid-friendly.”
Rox laughed. “Oh, yeah? Betty is kid-friendly now. After you told me Terrance had a kid, I thought I’d heard it all. But now, I have!”
I blew out a breath. “Me too.”
“Does it bother you? I know you like him. You’re trying to hide it, but I can see a smile behind that resting bitch face of yours. What are you going to do now? You okay with him having kids?”
“First of all, he has a kid. Not kids. One, I can handle. I think. Any more than that, and it would have been a hard pass. She reminded me of my nieces anyway. I don’t think she will be a problem. I’m not saying I want to play mother hen. I sure don’t want to take care of anyone—yet. But it’s not a deal-breaker. To be honest …” I sat up in my seat and stared at Rox. “Tell anyone this, and I’ll cut you. But, to be honest, when he told me his little girl was his world, that was what attracted me to him and made me want to jump his bones. Not his flirting. Though that wasn’t bad either. And then, when he ran to her rescue, well, I’ll just say, I’m still feeling him out. He’s not cut off—yet.”
“So, you do like him.” She smirked. “Better not tell Layla. She’s going to have you taking mommy-and-me classes before you know it.”
“Oh, hell no. It’d better be a self-defense class or something. I’m not going to braid hair. Besides, I have no idea what to do with White people’s hair. I’ll take her to the salon.”
“Layla will teach you.” Rox side-eyed me and shrugged.
“As far as I’m concerned, nobody is going to know Terrance’s business, except Terrance, me, and you. I’ll let him tell the world he’s been hiding his kid. Not me and especially not Layla.”
“You don’t want me to tell Jay? Because he still thinks Terrance is a player with all those women coming and going.”
“Terrance said they were his babysitters. I’m sure not all of them.” I rolled my eyes. “But I did meet one of them, and she was a ripe old bag. The least I can do is steer him in the direction of someone worthy of Maisy.”
“Worthy of Maisy, eh? It seems to me like she’s already growing on you.”
“Nah. You know me. And DTF. We’re always trying to save the girls. Support the girls. Raise the girls. Wouldn’t it have been nice to skip all the drama and life lessons we had to learn, all those broken pieces, if someone h
ad just taught us from the get-go how to live?” I stared out the window.
“And that’s what I love about you. You’re the toughest woman I know, and you radiate that strength to everyone around you. You’re going to be a good stepmom. The best!” She reached over and squeezed my knee.
“Rox, you do know I have that torture chamber upstairs, right? Remember, in the room that used to be your safe sanctuary? I’m going to invite you over for dinner and give you a lesson in that chamber if you keep talking all that smack.” I picked my boobs up and let them drop before throwing my hands up in the air.
“Sounds kinky. Can Jay come too?” She shimmied her tiny chest in response.
I parked The Pink Taco Truck outside of Forks University today. With fall in the air and the students cramming for exams, it seemed like a win-win for the business. All those kids studying should be ravenous for cheap eats, and we were cheap.
My phone had dinged in my pocket two hours ago, but the lunch rush had us so busy that I forgot to check it until I took a break. I half-expected it to be a booty call from one of my many playboys or maybe even Terrance updating me on his little girl. But instead, I’d received the most bizarre text message from my aunt. The old coot was more like me than I liked to admit. She was independent, ruthless, and downright ballsy.
Aunt May: I got married. We’re having a get-together at my place next weekend. Saturday the 11th. This ain’t ever going to happen again. So, you’d better be there, so I can see you before I die.
I read the text message four times before I could respond. If there was anyone on this earth I’d thought would never marry again, it was my aunt May. She had dumped her ex-husband long ago and vowed never to take care of another man again. I’d always admired her for sticking to her decision, but when her kids had grown up and moved away, I’d realized that she might change her tune. It was tough to always be alone, but being elderly and alone seemed terrible.
DTF and I had a pact that we would be much like The Golden Girls when we were as old as my aunt. But lately, the DTF gang had been committing to men left and right. And now, with even my elderly aunt married, I would soon be the only one left alone.
