Page 25 of Skid
He released my shoulder and tugged my hand, urging me closer to the house. I could see a few men walk inside, and I turned my eyes, trying to see anyone my age. I’d been to gatherings with Connie and Kevin through the years where I was the only young person, and I hated being alone all night. Without Connie, I had Daddy to spend time with, and I was excited but also a little scared.
I didn’t want to do anything to make him mad, and he told me if anyone found out, they would move me to a new house. I didn’t want to be placed somewhere else, so I agreed to secretly call him Daddy when no one was around, and tonight was the first time I could say it in front of other people.
What made tonight so different confused me, and as we walked up the stairs to the brick house, I smoothed my hands down my dress like I was taught by Connie. ‘First impressions matter,’ she had said over the years, and I wanted to look my best in front of Daddy’s friends. The door opened, and a lady smiled as she invited us inside.
Daddy reached over and kissed her on the cheek as he dropped my hand and placed it on her side. “Stella, it’s good to see you. How are you?”
“I’m well, Kevin.” She turned her eyes to me and asked, “And who’s this beautiful young lady?”
Daddy turned his attention to me and smiled deeply before placing his arm around my shoulder and pulling me to his side. “This is my daughter, Grace. Grace, honey, this is Stella. This is her house.”
“You have a beautiful home,” I replied like I was taught, and she nodded.
“Thank you, Grace. Would you like to come with me while your daddy gets settled in with the gentlemen?” I looked up at Daddy, and he closed his eyes briefly before meeting my curious gaze.
He nodded before leaning down and kissing my cheek softly, whispering into my ear. “Be Daddy’s good girl, and I’ll see you soon.”
“Yes, Daddy,” I responded with a smile.
That was the first time he kissed me on the cheek, and I smiled, knowing this was how fathers treated their daughters. With kindness, respect, and love. He stood tall and stepped away from me as I turned to Stella.
“Come on, sweetheart. I’ll get you something to drink,” she explained, and I walked behind her, watching her hips sway as she moved down a hallway and into the kitchen in the back of the house.
“How old are you, Grace?” she inquired as she sat down at the small table near a large window and patted the chair next to her.
Sitting down, I replied, “I’m twelve.”
“That’s a wonderful age. You’re growing up and able to accept more responsibility.” She stood from the chair. I watched as she pulled two glasses down and began to make us some drinks. “Tell me. How do you like Kevin being your daddy? It’s okay to be honest. It’s just us girls.”
She turned her back to me as she poured some soda into the glasses and returned, setting one in front of me as she sipped on hers. I lifted the glass and took a swallow before answering.
“I love it. Kevin is a good daddy but . . .” I let the words fade as my eyes fell to the table.
She lifted my head and turned my face to hers as she asked, “But?”
“I wish he could be my daddy all the time and not just when we’re away from Ms. Connie,” I whispered, and she smiled at me.
“If there was a way to make sure that no matter what, he was your daddy all the time, even if you couldn’t call him that, would you do it?”
I placed my glass down on the table and turned my body to hers. She was so sophisticated, and if she could tell me how to make Kevin my daddy for real, I would do it.
Bobbing my head up and down dramatically, I quickly answered with urgency, “Yes. I’d do anything.”
She pushed my glass closer to me, and I lifted it, taking a deep drink before placing it back down on the table. She smiled at me and explained. “There is a ceremony that we can do. That’s why he brought you here, but you must agree to it. It’s your choice, Grace. It might be unpleasant at first, but you’ll be fine, and by the time it’s over, Kevin will be your daddy for real. No matter what you call him or what some piece of paper says.”
I was almost jumping in my seat as she spoke. “Yes, please. I want to do it,” I rushed out.
“If you do the ceremony, any time your daddy wants to show you how much he loves you, he will reenact it with you, and it will bring you closer.” She leaned in and lowered her voice. “You can never tell anyone about what you and your daddy do, though. Not everyone wants to have the kind of connection your daddy wants with you, and they won’t understand.”
“I won’t tell anyone. I promise,” I whispered and took another swallow of my soda. My throat was dry, and I was a little dizzy with excitement at the thought of making Kevin my daddy. I’ve craved the love my birth father gave me, and Kevin had been so invested in me since our camping trip, that I was eager to get started. “What kind of ceremony?”
“Well, it’s a ritual of sorts. It’s a binding of you and your daddy in the eyes of our community,” she explained, and I looked at her, confused.
“Our church?” I asked, and she shook her head with a smile.
“The church only guides part of our lives. Our community guides the rest, and the ceremony is what makes you a member of the community. I did what you said you wanted to do when I was your age. My daddy helped me find a husband when it was time and made sure I knew what was expected of me. He taught me everything I needed to know to become a good wife, mother, and member of the community. I owe everything to my daddy, and I want to help you have the same thing.” Her eyes were filled with a promise. “What’s your decision, Grace?”
I swallowed thickly, a little scared and a lot excited as I replied, “I want to. Please help me.”
