The Devil Behind Me(47)

Daimon:This isn’t over





I ignored it and continued with my work. The day was long and exhausting. After the small dinner rush no one else came in. Each minute that passed only added to my stress. I watched the clock, almost counting the amount of money we were losing. How the hell was I going to tell my dad now? There would be no way I could simply bring up closing the diner.

I cleaned up and locked up. The same sleek black sedan was waiting for me out front, but the older gentleman who usually drove us around wasn’t there. A younger, buffer man stood in front of me as he held the door open.

“Mr. Evans wants me to drive you home,” he said. I nodded and gave in instantly.





A FIST FULL OF DOLLARS


The porch light was on. It was early in the evening and this usually was the date night I had with Daimon, but he didn’t call or text. I put the key into the door and felt my heart sink as I walked into see my father hunched over the couch trying to be comfortable when all he could do was hurt. Sofia was next to him watching an old movie they both loved.

“You’re home,” my father said over his shoulder.

“Yeah,” I said as I placed my things down on the floor near the door.

“Was it busy today?” he asked as I sat down in the armchair.

“It was okay,” I said as I looked at the television and not him.

Sofia barely acknowledged me as all three of us sat and watched the movie. It was “A Fist Full of Dollars.” My father loved westerns and would often make us watch them with him. He thought Clint Eastwood was the best. I smiled a bittersweet smile at the moment we were sharing. The best part was the ending when ‘the stranger’ who was played by Clint Eastwood challenged the bad guys. My dad relished the ending, his eyes would sparkle and he would forget for a moment about all that affected him. Instead of the ending, I sat back watching my father, looking at him intently, trying hard to remember the last time he was like this. I was going to brand this moment in my mind and keep it there, as fuel to keep me going. He smirked when Ramon, one of the characters in the movie, got what was coming to him.

“That was a good movie,” he smiled as the credits rolled on the TV.

“It was. I loved it.” Sofia smiled widely at Dad.

“I better go to sleep. I’ll open the store tomorrow. Why don’t you go for a run? You haven’t run in weeks Addie,” he said as he stood up and patted me on the shoulder.

“Maybe,” I said meekly. It’s true; I hadn’t gone on a run in weeks. I couldn’t, I was too busy, with my two jobs and my pseudo boyfriend. Sofia waited until Dad was in the bathroom to actually start to speak to me.

“What did Daimon mean about Frank?” she asked.

“Nothing. He meant nothing,” I said curtly.

“You know what? I'm glad I'm going to Yale. At least I’ll get the hell away from you and all this,” she hissed as she stood up and nearly ran up the stairs.

I sunk even lower into the armchair and raised my legs up to my body, hugging myself. That’s right, Sofia. I want you to hate me so you can leave and never look back. I felt my phone vibrate. I reached behind me and took it out of my back pocket.





Daimon:R u still up?





Daimon had texted me, I guess our date night wasn’t called off.





Me:Yes why?





Daimon:Meet me out front




What was he doing here? I looked at my phone it was just past eleven. I was too exhausted to go out, but I had no choice. I reached my door and took a hoodie I had hanging there and put it on. Maybe if he saw how sloppy I looked he’d leave me the hell alone tonight. I opened the door. The night was cold, strange since it was the beginning of summer. I walked down my little pathway to see Daimon leaning up against his car waiting for me. I opened my gate and made my way closer to him. He reached out his arms and took me in a hug. I stiffened and pushed him back.

“What the fuck?” I hissed.

“Am I that disgusting to you that you need to push me away?” he asked.

“You have to give me fair warning when you do that.” I stood stupefied at how natural it felt, having his arms around me.

“You looked so pitiful that I couldn’t help it.” Ah, the famous Daimon was now back.

“I'm glad you pity me, I wonder how you would treat me if you didn’t,” I remarked.

“How’s your dad?” he asked leaning back onto his car.

“Are you serious?” I asked.

“Yes.” He looked affronted. I walked up to him and placed my hand on his forehead. “What are you doing?” he asked.

“Checking to see if you have a fever.” I laughed a little, putting my hand back into the pocket of my hoodie. He tried looking at my face, but I made it hard for him. The marks were now almost gone, but the bitch hit me hard. I could still feel it on my face even though it didn’t show.