Chapter Six
“I can’t believe you didn’t get in any trouble! My dad was ready to kill me!”
Giving Brianna a shrug, Julie grabbed her lunch out of her locker and slammed it shut.
“My punishment was having to watch Abbi for an evening while dad took Jen out to dinner. Which, you know, wasn’t a punishment at all because I just told the squirt to sit and I was upstairs half the night.”
Rolling her eyes, Brianna followed Julie into the lunch room. She had no idea how her friend managed to get away with things!
“I don’t know. Dad told me if he ever found out that I lied to him again, he was going to turn my ass red. Which, you know, translates into “If I catch you doing it again, I’m going to tell your mom!” My mom is definitely the rule maker in our house,” she smirked.
Giving yet another shrug, Julie sat down at her usual table and started pulling her lunch out. There was a smile on her face when she saw the little note Jen had left on her sandwich wrapper, reminding her that she was loved.
“Please do NOT tell me that’s a note from your step-mom. Jesus, Julie! You aren’t in third grade,” Brianna groaned, snatching the paper out of her hands. Julie felt the blush creeping onto her cheeks. Jen had written cute little notes ever since she’d started school. Brianna had never had a problem with them before!
“Give it back,” Julie demanded, reaching for the paper.
“No! Jesus, Julie! Your parents treat you like you’re six years old! When are they going to let you grow up?”
“I’m warning you, Brianna Fatone! You give that back or I’m gonna sock you good.” Rolling her eyes, Brianna crumpled up the paper and tossed it at her friend’s head.
“You know… if you keep stuff like this up, you’re never going to make new friends, Julie. Everyone laughs at you behind your back! You’re sixteen and you’re still a complete daddy’s girl!”
Her eyes filling with tears, Julie grabbed the rest of her lunch and shoved it into the paper bag.
“I’d rather have them call me a ‘daddy’s girl’ than call me some of the things I’ve heard about you, Brianna!” With that, she turned and stalked out of the lunch room.
Standing in front of the pay phone outside of school, Julie was fighting an internal battle. Part of her wanted to call her daddy to have him come and make the hurt she felt disappear. The other part of her couldn’t forget the taunting she heard in Brianna’s voice when she’d called her a ‘daddy’s girl’.
She picked up the phone, her fingers poised to dial the familiar number when she slammed it back down. She wiped away the few traces of tears and picked up her backpack, slinging it over her shoulder. She’d show them.
~*~
Pulling into the driveway, Jen frowned when she noticed her step-daughter’s car in the driveway. She checked the time once again and shook her head. It was only 12:45. Surely she should still be in school! She threw the car into park and climbed out, gathering the few groceries in her arms as she headed up to the front door.
“Julie?” She called, kicking the door closed behind her before heading to the kitchen to set the groceries down. She rubbed her hands on her thighs to wipe them off as she headed into the living room, calling her name once more. She jumped when the girl’s head popped up over the couch.
“Yeah?”
“What are you doing home, honey? Are you not feeling well?” She asked, walking over to her step-daughter. She placed her hand on her forehead, checking for a fever, completely puzzled when she felt completely normal.
Batting Jen’s hand away, Julie sank farther down on the couch.
“I’m fine,” she grumbled, glaring over to Jen. She got comfortable again and turned her attention back to the TV. Jen shook her head and headed into the kitchen, picking up the phone to call her husband. He was not going to be happy to know that the teenager was not at school.
~*~
When JC pulled into the driveway, he threw the car in park and hopped out. He headed inside, accompanied by his eight year old daughter who he’d just picked up from school. She hopped after him, humming to herself, several papers in hand.
“Dad?”
“Hm?” He asked distractedly. Ever since he’d gotten the call from his wife, his mind had been racing, trying to figure out what on earth would possess his daughter to leave school without permission. He knew she’d better have a damn good excuse!
“Daddy? I need some help!” Abbi cried out pitifully. She’d been completely loaded down with papers from school and she was dropping them all over the place. With a sigh, he stopped in his tracks and turned to help her pick up her papers.
“When we get inside, I want you to go upstairs and start on your homework. Mommy and I need to talk to Julie.”
“Oooh, is she in trouble?”
“Abigail Nicole, you have strict orders to march your little self up the steps. No instigating things.” Rolling her eyes, Abbi accepted the papers from her father’s hands and hopped up the steps to the front porch before kicking the front door open.
“Julie’s in trouble!” She shrieked with joy. From his place on the porch, JC growled angrily.
“Abigail! You get your self up those steps right now! If I hear another peep from you, I’m going to bust your butt, little girl!” He threatened, rushing after her. With a squeal, she clapped her hands over her bottom, papers forgotten, as she ran up the stairs. If his next child was another girl, he was going to have himself committed.
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