"Emma, let's go, I wanna beat the traffic"!
"Ok, ok I'm coming dad."!
Dad was always in a hurry, but today especially. We were on our way out to our condo in the Florida Keys for a weekend of relaxation. My parents had just recently divorced and daddy needed a break from lawyers, work and just life in general. So he decided a couple days in the Keys was just what the doctor ordered. Little did I know this weekend would be a turning point for me and my father. My name's Emma, and this is my story.
"Dad, slow down, you're going way over the 60 mph speed limit," I said as the cars on the interstate whizzed by me.
"Emma, I know what I'm doing, I've been driving for 30 years," he snapped.
"Jeez dad, you're so tense, you need to get laid"!
"Emma, when you have a sex life maybe then you can preach to me about getting laid," he said as he read the exit signs.
I just rolled my eyes and looked out the window. Daddy had changed so much since the divorce. He used to be very funny, you know the type, life of the party. Now he just seemed to exist in his own bitter world. I decided to join him this weekend, hoping to maybe catch a glimpse of the old daddy, the one I missed so badly.
"Did that sign say exit 10 or 20"? he asked.
"What"? "I'm sorry daddy, what did you say"?
"Dammit Emma, pay attention, you know it's been years since I've been to the condo, you're supposed to be watching the signs with me."
"Sorry daddy, I was lost in thought for a moment," I said apologetically.
"Well try to keep your mind here for god's sake, it's gonna be dark soon," he said.
I don't know if daddy realized how mean he had become lately but it was a chore to keep a stiff upper lip with all his sarcasm flying around constantly.
We finally made it to the condo at dusk, just in time for daddy to complain that the mosquitos were out and if I had been more helpful we would have gotten there sooner. We unloaded the car and decided to freshen up before going out to dinner. As I dressed, I heard a knock at the front door.
"Who the hell could that be, no one knew I was coming here," mumbled daddy as he made his way to the door.
"Mr. Green"? said the voice.
"Yeah I'm Mr. Green, who are you"?
"I'm Michael Cuffton, I represent your wife," he said.
"My wife, what the hell are you doing here, the divorce is final, I don't owe that bitch anything else," yelled daddy.
"Well technically sir, this condo was left to your wife in the settlement, but she has agreed to let you stay for the weekend only," continued the voice.
"How the hell did she even know I was here"?
"Apparently sir you told your secretary where you would be in case of an emergency, your wife called to discuss seeing Emma this weekend and she was told of your location," he explained.
"Shit, Emma, remind me to fire that bitch on Monday," daddy said.
I rolled my eyes as I continued getting dressed in my room. Daddy didn't want to fire Linda, she's the best secretary he's ever had. He's just angry, he'll calm down. I heard the door slam shut and daddy mumbling something as he moved around the condo.
"You ready yet Emma"? he yelled.
"Just a sec daddy, I need to finish my hair then we can go," I answered.
"Yeah let's not leave before Emma does her precious hair," he groaned.