“It’s not that simple,” I said under my breath.
“Addie, most, if not all, things are black or white, we only make things grey. You gave up Yale to work and take care of them. There’s no reason he should be angry at you,” Daimon snapped.
“Daimon, I was the one who caused all this. He blames me, because he has no one else to blame,” I fired back.
“What about himself? He was the adult, Addie, you were just a kid,” Daimon bit back.
“What is an adult, Daimon? They’re just overgrown children,” I said, resigned to the situation. “He’s hurting. That’s all. I'm the only one he can lash out at,” I shrugged.
“Not for long,” Daimon said under his breath.
I left Daimon in the hallway and tried to engage my father, but he continued to stare out the window ignoring me. Daimon watched our exchange from the doorway; he sighed heavily then left without saying a word. I sat comfortably on the couch and lay down.
I had fallen asleep for a much-needed nap. I felt a plush throw draped over me as I started to stir. I rose up slowly from the couch to see Daimon at the foot of the bed looking down at my father.
“Stop blaming your daughter for everything. I get you’re angry and frustrated, but right now you need to take care of yourself, she needs her father. She needs you. She did this because she loves you,” Daimon barked at him.
“Daimon,” I shouted. Daimon turned and glared at me.
“I'm going, after visiting hours I'm coming to pick you up. I left clothes here for you. Take a shower and be ready,” he bit out and left.
I stood up from the couch and ran over to my father. “I'm sorry, Dad. Daimon can be a bit much at times,” I tried to justify him.
“It’s fine, Addie. He’s right,” my father said ruefully.
“Dad, he had no right to yell at you,” I hissed.
“Addie, I know you did what you could for me, I'm sorry. I was wrong to be upset at you. But understand I woke up and my body had been changed and I knew nothing of it. I was scared, Addie. I was really scared. Then I felt shame for hurting you. Daimon wasn’t wrong, he was right to push me. I’ll get better, Addie, and I will walk out of here happily. I promise,” my father smiled gently at me.
“Daddy, I'm the one who should be sorry. I didn’t mean to push about the diner,” I hesitated, remembering all the trouble I caused between us.
“Addie, you did what was right. You’ve always done what was right. I relied on you too much,” he said gruffly.
“Dad, you had no other choice. We did what was best. Both you and I did all we could,” I said now crying.
“Come,” he said while stretching out his hand. I sat on the chair next to him and put my head down. He held me as I lay underneath his arm. “I love you, Addie,” he said quietly. I closed my eyes and cried softly, relishing his embrace.
Visiting hours were over, but the nurse said I could stay. I texted Daimon to let him know I didn’t have the energy to see him tonight and that I wanted to stay with my father.
Daimon:Addie! im not asking u im telling u. now get ur ass ready ill be outside waiting.
Me:Daimon cant you understand? He just got out of surgery.
Daimon:I don’t care get ur ass ready. Be ready in half an hour.
“Addie, the boy asked you out, just go and stop making it harder on him,” my dad said as he looked at me.
“But Dad, you just got out of major surgery,” I implored.
“Addie, I'm feeling better and the medication is making me drowsy. All you’re going to do is watch me sleep. Go out and eat, see your boyfriend,” my father insisted.
“Fine,” I relented.
I walked into the most lavish hospital bathroom to ever have existed and found the clothes Daimon brought for me hanging behind the door. It was a simple black dress and black heels, nothing too over the top. Inside the bag I found some make-up and a straightener. God, the man thought of everything. I showered and got ready. It felt good to shower and wear clean clothes. I took longer than half an hour, but fuck him. Fine, a part of me was grateful to him for getting the room and standing up for me, but I knew this was part of the plan so my emotions about it were all mixed up. Do I thank him or do I just ignore it? He was buying me; from the moment I said yes, Daimon was slowly buying every part of me. The tiny piece of me, which felt confused when he was around, was now tainted by all this. Even if I did have feelings for Daimon, and that’s a big if, nothing would come of it. I stepped out of the bathroom and saw my father sleeping. I smiled watching him, he looked better than he had in years, he at least had some color back.