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Your father did the best he could. You knew that very well. Charlie was a man respected and adored by his humble community. A hard working father turned single parent when your mom fell ill and god— you were his little flower. His sweet thing. His angel.
Flowers are fragile, though. Gentle, moldable petals and stiff, snappable stems.
It is why he kept you so close to him, so prized like painted porcelain just ready to crack.
It is why you were here. Here at Jackson’s golden hued dance with more powdered, jam-filled pastries and red, roasted meats then you could count on one hand. Here. Instead of the alternative option which was the party your boyfriend decided to attend without you.
You got the invite, sure, yet even as a legal adult- what daddy says? Goes. So long as you remain under his roof, at least. It was infuriating, though. The freedom of all your dear friends, the spontaneity. If only that could be you...
Your eyes drifted to the moustached sponge of all fun and joy in the world, wrapped in a flannel with bourbon in hand. Your dad was seated next to Joel, as he often was. His presence was a newfound thing for these recent years and though Joel would never say it, you had an inkling that he wanted to stand by his friend's side after your mother... well.
You didn't know Joel well. No, not at all. His visits were always the occasional dinner or drop in for fishing or some awfully manly thing. You knew well that your mother adored him, though- so that was enough to make him alright in your book.
Neighbor Betsy told you once that Joel had lost his wife and daughter too, and that maybe he was trying to keep your father from going through what he went through alone.
You only laughed at that.
Joel Miller was gruff and cold. Could he have such a warm heart beneath his sherpa coat?
You dazed out, the fingers snapping in front of your eyes made you blink back into the golden hues and roasted sausages on pointy little sticks.
"You alright, honeybee?" Your father asked, laying a heavy arm upon your shoulders. Joel was slower in his approach, eyeing you up and down with confusion and something else in his eyes.
"Peachy." You only muttered, taking a sip of your freshly squeezed lemonade. Jackson's finest.
"Oh come on now angel... now you know I can't have you runnin' off with that boyfriend of yours. I always told you he was trouble. Member' when he ditched you down by Church Road during mosquito season? Well you were ripe as a red tomater and who had to pick you up?"
You were riper, redder now. Your cheeks an embarrassed hue not even on the color wheel, not even identifiable. You bowed your head, huffing out your frustrations before simply muttering: "you did, dad."
He nodded proud, squeezing your shoulder. "That's right, I did... what?"
Your eyes drifted up to see your father's oldest friend with an odd kind of expression on his face. Brows pinched and raised, wrinkles plaguing his forehead deeper now.
Joel only cleared his throat, shitting on his boots and taking a sip of his bourbon in preparation. Then? He spoke.
"You ain't lettin' her be." He gruffly offered, eyes set and sure. Your father only stilled for a moment, wondering if it was even Joel's place to have an opinion... maybe it was.
"Why's that?" He asked Joel, and the rough looking man only took another swig.
“Mm. We were both young once. We both made mistakes, y'gotta let her make her own— can't hide her from em'. Just ain't how it works."
Poppies blossomed like springtime had finally begun in your eyes. Finally- someone understood. You didn't expect him to be so... wise?
Your father only huffed, taking a long glance your way as he mused.
"Even if I wanted to loosen the leash tonight, Joel, I can't. Maria needs me here to keep an eye on crazy old Arthur."
Joel's brows relaxed at that, a purpled hand running along the zipper of his flannel coat. His eyes were a chocolate kind of brown, dark and quietly encasing his thoughts within them.
He hummed, gaze drifting back to you. You wanted to shrink. Perhaps it was because you were on the spot, perhaps it was because the way he stared would make anyone feel small.
It seemed like centuries before he cleared his throat again.
"I'll take her."
What?
You didn't understand it, not one bit. Why was he kind enough to offer you an out here? Kind enough to test your father's words.
Discomfort radiated through your father's coat, tension molding its way into his already stiff bones. A long sigh, a glance back and forth as he truly considered. His expression was far too plagued with worry, and you knew well that it was now or never.
You had to slam down the last nail in the oak wood coffin.
"Please, daddy? I'll check in every half hour, I promise."
Tension eased, slightly but- still. Your eyes were doe-like and sweet, and he gazed into them for a moment far too long before allowing his arm to drop.
"Every fifteen minutes and you've got a deal. Miller, you make sure my daughter gets in and out of that bastard's house safely."
Joel only nodded once, jaw tense and expression stoic.
Your grin was wider than a field of flowers, and you immediately wrapped your father in a hug. Your thank yous seemed endless, and it made him laugh.
When you parted, Joel had keys grasped in his rough hands. You realized for a moment that you had no idea why he was doing this. What did he owe you? Maybe it was pity. You were half an orphan, after all.
With a cautious glance, your eyes met his own. He nodded once as if to urge you closer, and you stumbled his way. Before you knew it? You were out the door, trailing behind him like his shadow.
Of all the people who cared enough to convince your father to let you go to this party tonight? Joel Miller was the last person you had expected it to be...
¿to be continued?