the misty morning. Dave breathed in the chilly air, relishing the feeling of being cleansed. The conversation helped distract him, but still he could not shake the slight feeling of uneasiness that continued to creep into his bones. Maybe it was because he was prioritizing Sam’s request to leave extra early over Georgie’s breakfast. He cooked for her all week though, she wouldn’t mind, he was being ridiculous. It was just the change in schedule that was throwing him off—that was all.
He turned to look at Samantha as she dropped into the passenger seat. It was never the case that they exited the house at the same time.
“Aren’t you going to say goodbye to your mom?” Dave questioned with a frown as he started up the car.
“Like I said. I have things to do.” Quite out of the ordinary.
“Alright,” he confirmed as he put the car in drive.
Samantha was definitely up to something. For one, she didn’t even put her headphones on. She was content to sift through the radio until she found something she liked: Metallica, The Day That Never Comes.
Perfect. Dave loved this song, grew up to it in fact.
Push you cross that line
Just stay down this time
Hide in yourself
Crawl in yourself
You’ll have your time.
Dave was grinning as she turned it up. Sam scowled back at him then yelled over the music.
God I’ll make them pay.
“Guess what?”
Take it back one day.
“What?” Dave yelled back.
I’ll end this day.
“You have to guess!”
I’ll splatter color on this grave.
Dave had a slight inkling of what would cause a teenage girl to act the way Samantha was acting, even one who pretended to be as emotionless as his stepdaughter. He did, after all, grow up with a sister. Blushing cheeks, perpetual smirk, interest in school, a dirty secret...
“You have a boyfriend?”
Waiting for the one,
the day that never comes.
Samantha’s mocking smile slipped from her face as she slammed the music off and turned towards him, seething with rage.
“You absolute shit! How did you know?!”
Dave smiled. “I’m a lot older than you. I know things.”
“He knows things!” she cackled back. “Don’t tell mom or I’ll shave off your eyebrows in your sleep,” she threatened.
“I was just thinking they needed a good trim.” He chanced a glance and was thrilled to see she was fighting against amusement.
“I’m serious. Not a word.”
“Scout’s honor.”
“Whatever that means.” She rolled her eyes and flipped her hair, turning her face towards the window and once again ignoring his existence.
All was silent except for the steady swiping of the windshield wipers and the patter of the rain before it was washed away. Dave navigated a little slower than usual across the slick streets. He was just slowing down in front of the school when Samantha spoke again.
“I’ll tell her on my own time. So don’t be a narc.”
Dave couldn’t help himself. “I won’t but Sam, please just tell me you are being safe.”
She looked at him with absolute revulsion as she flung the door open wide.
“Ew, don’t ever try to have a sex talk with me ever again or I will GUT you.”
She slammed the door with fury and took off across the front lawn shielding herself with her book bag from the now driving rain.
Dave sighed to himself, “Have a great day.”
He turned the music back on but Metallica was already finished and replaced with an irritating commercial. Dave shut it off and hoped the strange feeling of edginess left him by the time he reached the firm.