Broken Bad Boy

PERCIE

“Oh, she said—” 

“Dad!” she shouted, dropped the fork. Then she stood up and left us at the dining table. 

A moment later, a bang followed from upstairs.

“You pissed her off, Keith.” My words came out defensively.

“Sorry about that, Percie. She’s so shy,” Lillian said. 

“Only to me.” I drunk my water then wiped my mouth with a napkin. I stood up. “Don’t apologize, Lily. I’m the one who provoked her. Let me check her up if you don’t mind.” 

“Go ahead.”

I knocked on her bedroom door. “Hailey, it’s me. Can I come in?” I waited, then knocked again. “Hailey, please? I apologize if that embarrassed you.” 

She still didn’t answer. 

I twisted the doorknob, but it was locked. Shit! I was screwing this up. I took a huge breath then walked down. 

I took the paper bag I bought for Lillian and joined them in the dining. They were done eating. 

“Lily, I bought this for you. It’s not much, but as they said, it’s the thought that counts.” I gave her the bag. 

“Thank you, Percie. How thoughtful of you. You really shouldn’t have bought me a gift, but thank you anyway.” She hugged me again.

“You’re welcome. I probably should go. Tell Hailey that I left. I’ll see her on Monday.” 

“Don’t worry about Hailey. She’ll be fine,” Keith says, walking me out to the front door. 

“Yeah. You embarrassed her. You knew she was shy, but you didn’t stop the first time she warned you,” I defended Hailey even though I should not have.

He didn’t say a word. He grinned instead. 

“You’re annoying. I better go before I punch you in your big abdomen.” 

“Take care, son.” 

“I’ll be fine. Call me if you can’t send Hailey. I’ll drop by to take her.” 

I feel terrible about Hailey, even if it was her dad who pestered her. It still upset me. I took a huge breath then drive back to my apartment. When I got inside, it was so eerily silent, and I missed her right away.

fished out my phone and typed a

can

she was typing back. I waited. No reply. She was still mad

waiting. She didn’t pick up until it reached the voicemail. I

my message. Can you please, at least, say something? You can curse me or

the send button. I sounded desperate,

Lee: Mad 

lips spread to

know.

Percie: Sad 

Lee: why? 

mad at

Lee: sad 

That’s my

but

felt every time I talked and saw her wasn’t normal

you sad, Lee?

silently. I

Lee: Who’s Lee? 

are you sad?

of my neck. I was really screwing this up.

Percie. You can answer and pretend that we don’t know each other. I’m not gonna tell anyone. I know you don’t trust me. What upsets me is that I don’t know anything

if she knew who I really was and what I did. At the

you

Lee: Who’s Lee? 

Percie: You 

Lee: You?

Jesus Christ. I groaned.

Calla Ward,

so sarcastic all the

me, Lee. A walking

Lee: Why Lee? 

she give you a middle name Calla. Is it

just

I got to choose

None of your

asking. Why so