“Well, what about the project, Ava?” Gunner tries. “The English project.”
I swallow, trying to find my courage. “Um…you want to work on that?”
“You can work on it over the phone, Ava.” Daddy insists. “Isn’t that the way all you kids do things now?”
Gunner’s not giving up. “I really don’t see why she has to come home if she doesn’t want to, sir. I mean, she made plans already, knowing that y’all weren’t coming to get her. I just don’t think it’s fair that she has to drop everything now that you’ve come unexpectedly.”
“This is a matter that doesn’t concern you.” Daddy’s voice is cold, flat. I’d be shaking in my boots if I was Gunner, but he’s really got way more courage than I do.
“Of course, it’s none of my business, sir, and I respect that. But if y’all don’t let Ava do what she needs to do for school, don’t you think that’s unfair?”
“She can do her schoolwork just as easily from home.” Daddy says, and I notice that he doesn’t address Gunner by name, indicating that he has no respect for him. “Besides, it’s going to be rather difficult for Ava to do her schoolwork with your tongue down her throat, now, isn’t it.”
Gunner’s face falls. He’s serious. Like someone just told him his best friend died. “I didn’t do anything against her will, sir, and that’s the truth.”
“He didn’t, daddy.” I interject, hopeful.
The veins in daddy’s neck pop out, and his mouth turns down into a snarl. “Get your things right now, Ava. I won’t tell you again.” He says, glaring at Gunner, not looking at me. I scurry to the door to lock it, knowing that I already have my things for overnight, and the rest of my clothes are at home. Best to not upset daddy any further, if I know what’s good for me. If I think my life is bad now, if I cross daddy more, it’ll be unlivable. I've seen it before. And it’ll be worse if he tells mama. Daddy’s the only one in my court, and to have pulled a stunt like this, I just risked losing him on my side.
“Sorry, Gunner.” I say, walking away from him.
“You call me if you need me.” he says, and I can feel his eyes on me as I walk away, with my daddy holding my arm, almost physically forcing me to keep up. And then I remember...
...I don’t have Gunner’s phone number.
***
“Just what were you thinking, young lady?” Daddy asks, finally breaking the deafening silence, about thirty minutes into our trip home.
“I was thinking like a nineteen-year-old, I guess.” I answer honestly.
“Did you sleep with him?” he asks, and the look in his eyes tells me that I better not try to lie, or else. He can see right through me. Always has. Mama, too.
I swallow, hanging my head. My non-answer is all the answer that he needs. His knuckles are white, holding the steering wheel, his jaw muscles working, his lips are curled into an angry pout, and I can see it in his eyes that he’s about to blow up if I dare say another word. “I’m sorry, daddy.” I say, about ten minutes later, when he draws in a deep breath. My voice cracks, betraying the conviction that I'm looking for. I think that he’s going to pull over and scream at me, but his silence is almost worse.
“I knew it was a mistake to let you come out here.” He says through gritted teeth.
“It wasn’t, daddy. My grades are perfect. You’ll see my mid-term soon. I’m getting all As, daddy. I promise.”
“A lot of good that’ll do if you get pregnant, Ava. Did you ever think of that?” He blurts, almost spitting.
“Yes, daddy.” I nod. He’s right. Even though Gunner used a condom, nothing is foolproof.
“You are never to see that boy again, you hear?” He bellows.
“Yes, daddy.” I say, looking out the window. My eyes fill with tears at the thought of never seeing Gunner again. I love him. He loves me. I may never find that again.
“You’re to transfer out of your English class, too. The farther away from that boy you are the better.”
“But I can’t, daddy. It’s too late in the semester.”
He gives me a look. “You’re lucky I don’t make you drop your courses and come home now, Ava.”
“But I mean it, daddy. I can’t change anything. Mid-terms are coming out in a few weeks. I can prove it.” I sound desperate. My voice cracks, my face is wet with tears, and my whole body shakes.
“Then you’re never to speak to him ever again, is that clear?” he says, voice still raised.
I’m terrified. We’re on the highway and he’s lost his temper. For safety from all directions, I agree swiftly. “Yes, daddy. I promise I won’t ever speak to him again.”
