Father's Day: A Slap In Public

ilence of my mind. He had married this woman, this manipulative, greedy woman, without even

ention was on Brenda, fussing over her, brushing imaginary dust off her clothes, his face a picture of pure devotion. He was treating her

ling him. "I need a caregiver, Olivia," he had said. "Someone to help out." I was the one who found the agency. I was the one who vetted Brenda. She seemed kind at first, a little too eager to please, but I thought

s a hoarse whisper

es, only irritation. "It's not my fault you have a temper,

was making me the villain to absolve h

said, her voice dripping with false sweetness. "Now that we're al

t to this monster. The thought w

say something, to deny it, to show a sin

did

want to remain my daughter, you will respect my wife and you will forget about that watch." He paused, letting th

our relationship hostage for a piece of metal

ng left to fight for. The father I knew, or the fat

s hard face to B

My voice was d

ok out my phone. Mark watched me, his expression a m

h?" I asked, my eyes

confused

much do you want for it? Name a p

greed. She whispered som

cleared his throat. "Brenda says it's a r

xtortion. It was worth maybe a fifth of that.

hone, added Brenda's name as the recipient, a

y could see. "Fifty thousand dollars. For m

aughter looked back over her shoulder at her

?" she w

ng at Brenda' s phone, watching the notificati

ut a breath I didn't realize I'd been holding. Mark just squeeze

ck had worn off, repla

all. It was to my

yments to my father, Henry Vance. The monthly allowance, the studio maintenance fees, e

ung

econd call. It w

proceedings. I gifted my father a studio apartment a few ye

e other end of the line

hing in my life," I said. "He chos