Safe

chapter 9

When I left Harry's, I called Grace, making sure she did cover for me and didn't tell my dad where I was.

"What did he say?" I asked Grace through the phone.

"Well, he did look angry when I said you had left a few hours before." She said. "He asked if I knew anything about Harry and I told him no. Then he asked where you could be, and I told him you where stressed and went for a walk."

"Did he believe you?"

"Yeah, I mean, he said something about the case being too much for you, and other things I couldn't make out." She slowly talked, recalling her memory.

"That's good. Thank you so much Grace. You're an amazing best friend. Love you, bye." I honestly told her.

"Well I am amazing." She boldly spoke. "Bye babe, love you too." She mocked a kissing sound to me, and I returned one, before hanging up.

***

When I walked through the door, I was immediately met by cursing coming from the kitchen. Somehow I knew it was my dad. Whenever he's angry, he'll go to the kitchen and loudly spit out profanities.

I walked into the kitchen, my dads back faced me. His hands firmly held onto the edge of the counter; squeezing and un-squeezing his grip.

"Dad?"

My dad immediately turned around to meet my scared eyes.

"And where have you been?" He gritted through his teeth.

"I-I was out. I needed air. S-Sorry, I was stressed after going to Grace's. I would've called b-but my phone died." I lied to him.

"Are you sure?" He asked angrily. My dad is not one to use his large frame against someone, but in this situation, it was all I could notice.

"Y-Yes, where else could I have been?" My voice trembled.

"Maybe at that pricks place named Harry?" His voice yelling.

"D-Dad, you're yelling." My father was never one to take his anger out on me, or show his aggression when I was around. I've never seen him this angry, and it scared me.

"Oh no, no. Rae, I didn't mean too. I just got carried away. I saw him on TV with a girl that had the same polish as you. A-And I just thought it was you. I'm sorry." He said with guilt.

"I-It's fine, I've just never seen you yell at me before. And that girl on TV, dad, lots of girls have that varnish, it's a fairly popular color." I told him.

"Oh, well I'm sorry. I didn't mean it."

With my dad, he can always tell when someone is lying in a hearing. But with me, he never can. Maybe because he hates accusing me of something or because he hates putting me on the spot. He can never tell with me.

"Rae? Are you still coming with me to work tomorrow? I could use you there, it's getting busy, and I need another hand." My dad almost begged.

"Of course." I answered before I was engulfed into a giant bear hug.

***

I felt really bad when I lied to my dad about being with Harry. But going into work with him helped my guilt a lot. I love being here, researching, helping my dad, talking to others about different cases. Everyone is family here. My dad has been in the business since before I was born; I've grown up with these employees.

"Hey, Rae?" My dad called out.

"Yeah?"

"Aiden is coming to our office soon and I need to prep him with questions for the trial. Will you help me get them ready, and question him?" He asked.