NINE
“I have sent you the feeding schedule. If you follow it, she will be able to gain weight at a healthy pace and shouldn’t be as cold over time,” Yamal says as he walks into the apartment.
I look over at him from my kennel and hold on to the blanket even tighter. No matter what, Daddy will not dress me in anything but a diaper. He would rather put more blankets around me than put clothes on.
“Is everything okay?” Yamal asks as he looks between me and Daddy.
My fingers are ice cubes as I grip the blanket, trying to keep warm.
The first things to go are fingers and toes.
Am I going to lose some today?
“Chale?” Yamal questions.
I open my mouth to respond, but Daddy clears his throat and gives me a look, making me quickly stop. I glare at him before looking back at Yamal.
“Yes?” Daddy responds.
Daddy told me I couldn’t talk to anyone without his permission. What a meanie. I didn’t even do anything badto warrant him telling me I can’t talk to anyone without his permission.
Who does he think he is?
“Are you two okay?” Yamal asks.
“Leah was a little naughty this morning, so I put her in time-out in her cage,’ Daddy responds.
“I didn’t even do anything bad!” I raise my voice and look at him.
“Did I say you could talk?” Daddy raises his eyebrows.
“No, but you aren’t the boss of me!” I glare at him.
Daddy thinks he is something special to be able to order me around, but he can’t. I am my own person and can take care of myself.
“I am, and you better remember that.” He stands from the couch and starts walking toward me.
I keep my eyes on him. Before I know it, the top of the kennel is off, and Daddy is staring down at me.
“I’m your owner, your Daddy. You are mine, and I am yours. We talked about the rules, and you agreed to them. If you keep this up, there will be more consequences,” Daddy says. “Now, be a good girl and stay in here quietly while Yamal and I talk.”
I open my mouth, but one fierce look from Daddy and I quickly close it. So much for sticking to my ground and showing him. But I don’t want another spanking. The one he gave me when Yamal was checking up on me was enough to remind me that I don’t want another one.
I’m just going to have to figure out a different way to show him that he can’t make rules for me.
“Have you been following the schedule I sent you?” Yamal asks.
“I have,” Daddy replies as he puts the top on the kennel once again. “I was about to get her for another feed. But before we do that, let’s talk.”
My eyebrows pull together as I look at Daddy and Yamal. What are they going to discuss?
“Has she shown any other symptoms?” Yamal asks. “We didn’t give her the injection. I’m worried that she might have gotten sick from something on the metal cage. I haven’t been to inspect the room myself.”
“Why would you put girls in there if it wasn’t safe?” I mumble before I can stop myself.
My eyes go wide as I stare at Daddy.
“I’m sorry!” I cry out, tears pooling in my eyes.
