Chapter 16
"John…" Louise said as she nudged John in the rib while he was asleep.
"What?" He mumbled, waking up.
"I can't sleep, tell me what's bothering Mandy." She asked.
"Not now, I wanna sleep.' He mumbled, and turned back over.
"Fine, I'll go ask her." She said and started pulling the blankets back.
"Good luck." He said.
"John don't you go keeping secrets from me! This is my daughter!" Louise snapped.
"Alright woman." John said and leaned over and turned on the lamp next to him.
"Well you know how she was staying with Mark for a week?" John began.
"Uh huh." Louise replied.
"Well I came to pick her up and I found him kissing her and touching her." John said, trying to control the rage he felt as he remembered that scene.
"What?" Louise gasped.
"Yeah I quickly had her out of the house in a hurry, and I've cut him off." John explained.
"He was kissing her? I never thought…" Louise began then was cut off by John.
"Me neither, and let my remind you that she is still jailbait for another week, I'm taking her to the doctors tomorrow and by god if she's not a virgin…" John said starting to get angry.
"John how do ya know that Mark had sex with her? Remember she was in a heavy relationship with Trent for nearly nine months." Louise explained.
"What? Are you taking his side?" John snapped.
"No but you're jumping to conclusions too quick." Louise explained.
"No I'm not! I can't help it if I feel ashamed and disgusted by his actions on her." John said.
"I know that, I'm gonna talk to her later on ok?" Louise said.
"Fine." John mumbled and turned the lamp off and went back to sleep.
Mandy woke up early in the morning, she didn't sleep that night. She walked out of her room and into the lounge room and turned on the TV.
"Morning." Her mom smiled, walking out of her bedroom and into the kitchen.
"Hey." Mandy replied quietly.
"What's with the down face?" Her mom asked, while making herself some coffee.
"Hasn't dad already told you yet?" Mandy asked.
"Told me what?" Louise replied.
"That Mark's an asshole, he took advantage of me!" Mandy said.
"No, he didn't say that." Louise replied.
"Mom stop lying, I know he told you." Mandy said.
"Yes, but he didn't say it like that though." Louise explained.
"Whatever." Mandy mumbled.
"Hunny, don't think I don't know what's going on in that head of yours." Louise said, walking over and sitting down next to her.
"What?" Mandy replied confused.
"Well when I was your age, I was working in a diner for a part time job, and there was this man who came there regularly, he must have been in his late thirties, but while working there he used to give me uncomfortable comments about myself and he tried to touch me. I quit that job." Louise explained.
"Mom, what is the point of that story? Did ya get scared and ran away?" Mandy said.
"No, but older men can lead you into things." Louise replied.
"Oh for god sakes mom! We didn't have sex!" Mandy spat.
"I know, but still…." Louise said.
"But what? You think that Mark is taking advantage of me don't you?" Mandy said.
"I don't know Amanda." Louise said.
"Whatever mom, it's not like I'll be able to see him again." Mandy sighed.
"Maybe when you're a little older." Louise said.
"It doesn't matter if I'm a little older mom, he'll be older too." Mandy explained.
Louise sighed.
"I thought that you'd be happy that I wanna be with Mark, rather then with some sleazy guy at school." Mandy said getting up.
"Mandy…." Her mom started.
"Mom, just drop it ok?" Mandy said, walking off into her room.