It happens to everyone. We all get a little drunk and wake up with plenty of regrettable bed mates. I most definitely have. I've woken up next to strangers and even fellow co-workers. Most of them who were not homosexual and wondered how much they were drinking the night before when they wake up. I have even woken up next to a woman. I, Grelle Sutcliff, slept with a woman. She was not a whore like most women. No, she was a very nice person. We didn't know each other when we made love. We met at a bar, got drunk, and had sex. You know… the usual for these kinds of things. We both apologized to each other that morning and left. I put that memory in the corner of my mind to collect dust and moved on with life. I never expected that drunken night to come back to haunt me ever again. Especially, fifteen years later in the form of a fifteen year old girl.
Yes, a fifteen year old girl. My daughter supposedly. I didn't believe it at first. There is no way I was a father. I never wanted kids…unless it was with Sebastian. But she did look an awful lot like me. She had the same red hair as me. Although she kept it up in a loose bun with some strands hanging in front of her face. I had my hair fall down to below my waist. She also had my green eyes. She didn't need glasses though. She didn't have shitty eyesight like me. Without my glasses I can barely see my hands if I stick them out in front of me.
"Please Grelle," the young woman begged me. "It is just for a few weeks. I am really behind in work and I need to catch up or I'll get in trouble," she explained. Her name was Alice Sullivan. She was that woman I slept with years ago. She had light brown hair that grew a little past her shoulders and light blue eyes. Her face was pale and her lips had a light shade of pink. I do have to admit she was pretty…for a woman. I was surprised that she found me. When I asked how, she said asking for a Death God with long red hair and a chainsaw, who cross dressed, was not too hard to ask for. I have to admit she was right. When I asked her why I had to watch her…well our daughter she said that she had no family and her friends were busy. That was just my damn luck.
"Well, I dunno," I quietly stated and looked down at the teenage girl. She was looking down at her feet and had not said a word at all since they found me. Well, if she is quiet… "Sure, I mean it's the least I can do. I mean I guess I haven't been much help in the past what…15 years?"
Alice smiled at me, "Really, it's not you fault. You didn't know so you couldn't have done anything," she told me. "Sylvia is a very well behaved and quiet girl. You won't know she is even there," she said glancing at Sylvia who was still glancing at her feet. I wonder if she was feeling the same way I was feeling. Totally shocked and wanting to run away. I wanted to do that, run away, but she wasn't paperwork that Will assigned me. She was my daughter and it was only for a few weeks. I simply just have to make sure she gets enough food and stays out of trouble. Then, she is out of my life for good. It's not that I hated her it's just that I didn't want to be a father. They were fine without me before so I'm sure they will be fine without me once this whole situation is done. Besides if I said no then I would probably get in trouble. I already have two strikes already. I couldn't afford a third.
"Alright," I finally said. "It's only for a few weeks and I have nothing else better to do," I told them. I wanted to hit myself for making it sound like watching Sylvia was simply a form of entertainment. I thought that would hurt their feelings or anger them but they didn't seem to take notice. Alice smiled and gave me a quick hug.
"Thank you, Grelle. I promise she will not be a problem. If you have any questions please just call me or come to my sector and ask me," she told me. Then, she turned to Sylvia and gave her a loving hug. A true hug between a mother and her child. I haven't had that kind of hug in years. "Please behave for Mr. Sutcliff. He is doing a kind thing for us. I will be back in a few weeks. I'll call you every night. I love you," Alice told Sylvia. Sylvia nodded and after one final hug, Alice left. She left me alone with her…our daughter. I looked down at Sylvia who looked back up at me, her eyes staring into mine. I wonder if she could read my mind. I also wonder if she was wondering the same thing I was wondering. What on earth was going to happen next? Because I swear to God that I don't think I can handle any more surprises like the one I just had today.