"What Dad," I say with a sarcastic tone.
"Did you see that Davey boy today?" He asked. I nodded my head slightly.
"Elsie saw Les too." I mumbled I stared straight at his eyes. He scorns me and his words hurt, but it wasn't my fault I saw him. Dad could be mad if I saw Davey out of the corner of my eyes, twenty yards away.
"I met a boy" I whisper, Dad rubs his hands through his hair. "Ella, you remember the talk we had before you got a job? I clearly said that I will meet any gentlemen friends."
"That's why I whispered that I met him." I say.
"Unfortunately, you aren't going on a date with him." He says, rubbing the bridge of his nose.
"No, it's more than unfortunate, it's terrible," I shout. "So, you want me to stay home and be your maid?" I'm not mad right now, I am furious. I stared at him, disbelieving.
"Look, Ella, I don't want you to be my maid, you know that." He says.
"Then get a job," I say.
"You know I can't Ella, you know I can't work as I used too." He retorts.
"What am I supposed to think, dad, Elsie gets to date," I lower my voice. I feel awful now; I can tell my words ripped through his heart like a freight train at full speed for Santa Fe. He didn't hear anything about Elsie.
"I just want you to watch out for yourself. You need to be home more often." He says.
"I have a life Dad, I want to live it," I say slowly.
"People may try to take advantage of you," he scowls. People, oh boy, Dad wants to talk with him about boys, I think.
"No one will; I am going on this date. Elsie is dating Les too," I say as I turn my back and walk out of the room.
"Ella, Elsie and you aren't dating, forget about your date." he shouts, I turn around stiffly.
"Dad," I said sternly, "I'm going; I'm having fun, deal with it."
During dinner I don't say anything to anybody. Elsie tries to show enthusiasm for the meal as Dad and I give each other stern looks. He stands up on his sore foot and slowly makes his way back into the bedroom.
"I wish Dad trusted us more," I say as I scrape the rest of Dad's food off his plate. Elsie tries to play peacekeeper with me and Dad as she helps me.
"He does, he's just protective of us," she says calmly.
"We are growing up," I say calmly, "I need room to grow, rather than staying at the house all the time, that's why I'm a newsie, at least I'm bringing money home." After a few dishes, Elsie decides to go to sleep early after she takes a bath.
"Well, that's that." She says as she slings a dish rag over her shoulder.
"Goodnight." She says. I hug her as she releases the hug. I decide I need a bath too. I throw the dish rags in the laundry basket as I look over at the table. I sit down at my place and I look at Elsie's spot. I look at Dad's spot, remembering when I knew he trusted me, two years ago. I look over at where Mom used to sit. Her place has been vacant for as long as I can remember. I lay my head on the table as I know the only one I know I trust is my sister. I see Elsie get out of the bath just then and she goes into Dad's room.
I hear a soft, "Goodnight baby," as she walks into our room. I quickly scrub myself in what we have as a bathtub. It's more of a wash bin, but it will have to do. I feel awful, both emotionally and physically so I just sit in the water, trying to make it as still as possible. In frustration, I slam my fist on the surface, sending waves over the sides. I don't care though; they were reflections of my feelings. I finally get out and slip into bed. Elsie is already fast asleep, I think. I hear the chimes on the clock go off. Eleven, I think hesitantly. I pull the covers over my head and pretended I was asleep. Our door creaked open a bit.
"Love you pumpkin," Dad whispered. A bittersweet zap hit my heart and tears I wouldn't let fall, eventually fell.