Mindy was a very lonely girl. Having to move across the country to live with the father she hasn't seen in 2 years after her mother passed away wasn't the easiest thing to do. Especially halfway into her senior year, not to mention having been home schooled her whole life and being forced into public school. Her mother wasn't fit to raise a child but before anyone really realized that it was too late. Being paranoid about everything Mindy's mother all but locked her in the basement to keep her "safe".
Once Mindy was old enough to start growing into her independence her mom freaked. Started worrying too much about what her environment might do to impact her growth and in turn kept her from experiencing life. So when Mindy turned 9, her father left. He couldn't handle her mom anymore and tried his best to get Mindy away from her but other than being dangerously over-protective, she hadn't done anything to warrant her daughter being taken. So instead he moved nearby and did his best to introduce his daughter to the world best he could but with work it wasn't much and there was nothing he could do. So about two years ago when Mindy's grandfather got sick her dad moved 2,000 miles away to help take care of him.
Now here Mindy was on her way to join him after loosing the only person she really knew. The loss consumed her but she couldn't help but get excited. She now had the opportunity to truly explore what the world had to offer an 18 year old southern girl.
James was running late yet again. And in a day as important as this. He felt shameful. Worried for his daughter Mindy and how she was handling herself at the airport in such a fragile state. Rushing through the doors his heart skipped a beat when he saw his beautiful daughter. Her light brown hair had grown out. Nearly to her waist now. It kept its volume and wave too. He always loved her hair. Her natural beauty simply amazed him. He noticed she had filled in some. Though it was hard to see through her plain, baggy clothing. But even then he could tell her breasts were an easy 34c. Gosh, was he really checking out his daughter? He shook it off and approached her.
"Hey baby girl." He said as he placed his hand on her shoulder.
Mindy jumped and nearly screamed as her heart felt like it just about pounded through her chest. But as soon as she saw the familiar green eyes and somehow always messy brown hair of her father she jumped up and through her arms around him. Finally she could let everything go and move on with her life. Until she felt her dad's arms around her she hadn't cried. But now she knew she had to. It was time to look forward.
In the car on the way to her new home she couldn't help but see how much her father had aged since she had seen him last. He was still very handsome but the lines under his eyes had depended, he had white and grey hairs peaking out and he looked over all tired. Not that she had much to compare him to. Before today in the airport, Mindy had only seen a handful of men and even then it was glimpses here and there before her mother shooed her to her room as she collected the groceries or accepted the mail. James was taller than she remembered. At least a foot taller than she stood at 5'4".
Drowning in the awkward silence her father finally spoke.
"Grandma and grandpa can't wait to see you. Grandpa is still very weak and fading quite fast but I'm glad you'll be there in his final months. Though I'm so sorry you're going to be dealing with so much loss so soon."
Silence... He tried again.
"So what have you been up to? Have you made any friends since the last time I was in town?"
She looked at her hand in her lap. "No daddy, mommy wasn't comfortable with me going outside without her." Which was never considering the fact that her mother was afraid to go outside at all. But she didn't share that fact.
"Well I'm sure you'll make fast friends at school. You start on Monday but we'll go in tomorrow to get your schedule and your books." He exaggerated his excitement. He was terrified for her but figured if there was a time to enter the real world, that time was now.
After a very boring drive with a view of nothing but trees, they finally arrived at the quaint little brick house that belonged to her dad. Considering her lack of belongings, she only had one bag with her so once her dad grabbed that she followed him into the house and her new life.
They took a quick tour, you know the normal... Living room, kitchen, bathroom, my room, your room bla bla. All she cared about was getting to her room, unpacking and having some time to herself to let it all soak in. Apologizing to her dad that's exactly what she did.
She must have dozed off because the next thing she knew her dad was knocking on the door announcing dinner.
As they ate James explained the rules of the house and what his schedule usually was. She had no idea what he was talking about with curfews and cellphones and drinking. So she just smiled and agreed to whatever he said.
Mindy collected the dirty dishes and began cleaning up as James slipped away to return with a small wrapped box.
"It's a cell. I figured once you start making friends and spending time out of the house you may need one in case of emergencies or something." She just smiled and thanked him. She didn't understand how to use them but was too embarrassed to ask. She knew it had to some with some sort of directions so she hugged her father and escaped back to her room.
After setting up her phone the best she could and reading a bit.she realized now that the exhaustion of the day had worn off it was going to be hard for her to fall asleep somewhere so unfamiliar to her. She had heard her father go to sleep about an hour and a half ago so she snuck into his room quietly as she could and slipped under the covers.
"Mindy, honey what are you doing in here?" He croaked trying to fight through his sleepiness.
"I'm sorry daddy, it's just I always slept with mommy, she was always afraid I'd sneak off. Being somewhere I don't know and sleeping alone, it's just too hard. I'll try harder tomorrow I promise but can I please sleep here tonight?" He could see the fear in her eyes as she spoke. "Of course baby girl."