Page 31 of DILF

“Fine! I’ll leave.” Charlotte turns and stomps away. “Come on, Lil. Help me pack.” Lily looks at me, her eyes drifting to where Mia touches me, so she turns to go back with Charlie.

I shift my shoulder so that Mia’s hand drops and march toward my daughter. “Charlotte, stop. What do you think you’re doing?”

“Unlike you, Daddy, Randy’s parents support our decision and if I can’t stay here I’ll stay with them. We may have to push the wedding up, but that’s none of your business anymore, is it?’

“Don’t do this, Charlotte. You’ll regret it.”

“Why? Why will I regret it? I love him, Daddy. Why can’t you and Mom just be happy for me? I bet if Lil was in the same shoes Mr. and Mrs. Baird would support her.”

“No offense, honey,” Mia says looking at Lily, “But that’s not such a great example.”

Lily finally speaks. “What’s that supposed to mean?”

Mia looks down at the tattered jean shorts and rock band tee Lily is wearing. “They let you do whatever you want. They’ve moved across the country, for Christ’s sake. You have entirely too much freedom.”

“That’s because they trust me,” Lily bites back.

“Maybe they shouldn’t.”

“What the hell is that supposed to mean?” Lily questions again.

“Mom!” Charlotte yells.

“Mia!” I warn.

“It’s no secret that I’d prefer you didn’t hang out with Lily. Maybe you’ll meet someone with a little more...refinement.”

Lily’s eyes open wide and her hands curl over the waistband of her shorts , pulling them down a little. It’s subtle and I know that I’m the only one that notices, and it breaks my heart. She’s so strong and good and is always there for Charlie, she doesn’t deserve the shit coming from Mia.

“Maybe if you hadn’t been such a bitch to everyone here, your only daughter would’ve chosen to live with you and not her dad,” Lily hisses. I try to hold off a smirk.

“Oh my, God,” Charlie gasps.

“You little bitch.” Mia takes a step forward.

“That’s enough,” I roar and grab Mia’s arm. “Mia, a word. Lily, you’re welcome to stay.”

“You’re going to let her talk to your wife that way?” Mia snaps.

“My wife? Don’t you mean ex-wife? We’re not married anymore. And honestly, with what you said, you deserved it. Come downstairs with me. I want to have a talk.” Then I turn to my daughter. “Let’s all calm down. Don’t pack. Don’t leave. Just give us a chance to process things.”

“I need to get out of here for a little while at least,” she says, still sobbing. “Come on, Lily. Let’s go.”

Lily looks unsure of what to do, shrugs at me, and follows Charlie out of the room and then out of the house. At least she didn’t pack, I think.

Soon it’s only Mia and me alone in the room. “Maybe we’re being too controlling,” I say.

“We’re not being controlling enough!”

“Lily told me Charlie’s rebelling because we have too tight of a leash.”

“And we’re taking parenting advice from a little teenage shit. I can’t believe you didn’t defend me, Lincoln.”

“Defend you? You’re a grown ass woman, who, by the way, was being a total bitch. You deserved it.”

She turns and stomps down the stairs and I trail behind her. “I don’t want her to marry that boy, Linc.”

“I don’t either, Mia. But we can’t tie her down here and force her not to. We need to soften our hold or we’ll never see her again.”

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