Special thanks to kenjisato for the great editing
*****
I knew he was mad as soon as I closed the front door. I wasn't even home late tonight. He was sitting on the sofa watching TV, eyes fixed in front, not making any movements. He didn't even acknowledge that I was there.
I stood there for a while, not knowing what I should do. If I went to my room without saying goodnight, I wouldn't be able to sleep. I'd be up all night worried what he would say the next morning. Best if I get it over and done with tonight.
I take my first step towards him. He still hasn't moved. Maybe he was asleep? As I hesitate to take my next step, I see his arm move. Not asleep. Without turning to look at me he gestures with his hand for me to come into the lounge room. The subtle two flicks of his fingers in the "come here" motion tells me I'm in trouble.
Without any more hesitation, I quickly walk over to him. I stand in front of him, and without taking his eyes away from the TV he crooks his jaw slightly up.
"Hi Daddy" I say as I bend down and kiss his cheek. I try to sound cheerful and confident, as if I've done nothing wrong; and I haven't done anything wrong. I haven't broken any of his rules.
He finally looks up at me. A long intense stare at my face, and then an inaudible huff escapes from his throat. I can't read the expression on his face, but I'm certain that he's mad at me.
Since my mother's death five years ago, he hasn't been the same. Having to raise and care for two daughters on his own was tough. Ever since my older sister moved out, he was even more agitated and moody; the light-hearted and funny father that I had known for most of my eighteen years was gone.
His serious gaze still fixed on my face, he asks, "Where have you been?"
"I was at Monica's watching a movie." Trying hard to keep the fake smile on my face and not stammer my words, I stand in front of him waiting for his response.
He slowly looks me up and down, assessing me in detail. I'm fully clothed, wearing a casual summer dress and denim jacket, but the way he looks at me makes me feel vulnerable and exposed, as if I'm naked.
He looks back at my face, and notions with a nod of his head for me to sit next to him. Shit. He's even more mad than I first thought.
I take off my jacket and sit down nervously, searching his face for a clue on his thoughts. My hands unconsciously start to fidget in my lap, and he gently reaches out with his hand to hold me still.
"I'll ask you one more time, where were you tonight?" His voice is calm and steady, his hand is still covering mine in my lap.
I can feel my face start to flush and my heart thumping loudly in my chest. I choke a little as the words come out of my mouth, "I told you Daddy, I was with Monica."
He looks at me quietly. Does he believe me? In those few moments waiting for his response, I can't breathe.
In a sudden movement, he tightens his grip around my wrists and pulls me over onto his lap. The breath I was holding escapes in an abrupt puff, as I'm forced across his knees. I find my head face-down on the cushioned sofa, my ass pointing up to the ceiling, and my legs sprawled out and kicking on the other side. The shock of the unpredicted motion is enough to make me yelp, and tears start to spill from my eyes.
"Daddy, please!" I cry as he brings my arms around to the small of my back where he holds both my hands with a single of his. With my legs still kicking out behind me, he presses down firmly on my hands holding me in place. His other hand has gathered my loose hair, holding the long brunette strands into a ponytail causing my head to pull back.
I am crying uncontrollably now, my entire body shaking with each sob. He remains silent as he keeps his grip on my hair and pressure on my bonded hands. After what seems like more than ten minutes, my sobs quieten and my legs stop kicking as I lay helplessly across his lap on the sofa. Tears are staining my face, one strap on my dress has broken from the struggle, and the short flimsy material of my dress has ridden up exposing my thighs and cotton panties.
"Daddy, please." This time, it's barely a whisper.
He leans down to bring his face closer to mine.
"Sweetheart..." his grip on my hair loosens, and he brings his hand down to gently stroke the side of my face. He softly pulls back a few strands of hair that have fallen down over my face, running his fingers through the length of my hair.
"Shussshhh, sweetheart." He continues to play with my hair until my body starts to relax. I'm exhausted and confused. My mind is too numb to comprehend what is happening.
His hand leaves my hair, and I feel the pressure on my hands and lower back start to release. Free at last, but too overwhelmed to know what to do, I just lay there. All I can hear is my breathing. I can hear him breathing, too; and his breath sounds just as heavy as mine.
He finally breaks the silence, "Were you with Monica all night?" My chest fills with a deep inhale.
"Yes Daddy, all night," I say as I exhale. His hand is on my back, firm and warm. He gently rubs my back, as if to soothe me.
"Why don't I believe you, then?" he asks as he continues to rub my back.
