Chapter 9

APRIL

As we drove away from the Lane family's house, my father kept looking at me with disapproval, as if I had done something wrong.

He should be happy that his daughter knew how to defend herself. I myself am proud and surprised at how well I did.

"Are you happy now? The Lanes have been like family to us, and you go and break their son's nose, and not satisfied with that, you shout his sexual preferences from the rooftops. What is going through your head, April?" my father sighs in frustration.

"What should I have done, Dad? Let them call me a slut? Because the one who messed up here wasn't me. I haven't done anything I should regret." I might have had a lot of sex with a stranger, but I don't regret that either.

"You could have kept some information to yourself. And breaking his nose? I thought you were a lady."

"Breaking his nose is what I am most proud of. He played with me in so many ways, Dad. Can you imagine how much this hurts? How awful I feel? You, better than anyone, know that I loved David; I had to let this out somehow. He didn't help by saying the things he said to me."

"They could press charges against you. Knowing Teresa, she must be talking to her husband right now, pressuring him to throw you in jail for assaulting her little boy and causing him injuries. We are not joking around, April."

"And to think I was about to marry him." My father must have felt the unhappiness radiating from me, because his tone changed.

"How is your hand?"

"Sore and swollen." I held it out to show him. My knuckles had taken on a deep purple color. "But like I said, I don't regret it."

"Before going home, we are going to the hospital to get it looked at. I don't really like how it looks." I just nodded as he drove to the hospital.

As I looked out the window, I started to think that my chances of not having a criminal record after tonight were becoming rather slim.

Without a doubt, Teresa would report me without any fear of a scandal.

While my head created multiple scenarios where I ended up locked in a cell in all of them, my optimistic side reassured me, thinking that once my unfortunate reality was known, I would only get community service or a fine.

"Take it easy, sweetheart, I won't let them hurt you anymore. If we have to face charges, I will argue that it is normal for people to get carried away and react poorly under circumstances like the ones that took place."

"Thanks, Dad," I said, flexing my still numb hand again.

"Where did you go these past few days?" Okay, air, why did you leave my lungs?

"I got drunk at a bar, pretty far from here." I wasn't lying; it is the truth, the absolute truth.

"And then?" I got fucked until I was exhausted.

"I was rescued by firefighters. Apparently, my body had too much alcohol, and it wasn't a good idea to set the dress on fire." Well, it is not entirely a lie, but it is not the truth either. Sweet baby Jesus! I hope he doesn't keep asking questions.

"What you did was not okay. Your recklessness never ceases to amaze me, April. You could have gotten hurt."

"I am. Let's just say the pain in my arm right now is not very pleasant. I guess David's face isn't a walk in the park right now either," I say, laughing and seeing that he is smiling too.

It seems I did hurt my hand. Nothing is broken, but there is a sprain in my ring finger.

From what the doctor said, it was a boxer's fracture, which I found way too funny given the irony of the situation.

The result was my finger in some sort of splint that will stay on for about two weeks.

"Well, Dad, what do you think? My boxing career was born and died right here." I burst out laughing.

"It is not funny at all. How will you work like that?"

"The same way I normally do. It won't stop me from taking care of the little animals." They are actually sweet, unlike people.

"I do not understand how you can be so kind, sweet, and patient with them, yet today you proved to be bloodthirsty and vindictive."

"I don't know either, Dad. Do you think I broke his nose?"

"I would bet you did." He shakes his head, but he can't hide his visible smile.

"That makes me very happy. Maybe it is wrong, but I am truly glad." I sighed deeply, feeling absolutely relaxed, in a way I hadn't been for the past two days.