Page 23 of A Home for Harmony

At least he thought so since his daughter wanted to spend more time with him than her mother.

“I think you’ve got a unique personality,” she said. “From what I can see. Maybe she wasn’t a good fit for you or couldn’t handle it. I don’t know and I won’t judge that. It’s not for me to do it. I like to think I can make my own fun in life and who I’m with can choose to join me or not.”

“That wouldn’t bother you if they didn’t?” he asked.

“I haven’t had to worry too much about it. I’m good at doing things on my own and if I’m with someone that understands that, I’m not sure I’d have a problem with it.”

“Is it because most of your friends are online?”

She’d told him before she didn’t have any friends close by to call.

“I don’t know that I’d call anyone I meet online loyal friends unless I’ve met them in person and there are very few. I’m cautious about who I let in for several reasons. I talk to people online but am smart enough to realize everything they tell me could be false. I’m not as naïve as people think I am. I make my living at instructing people how to put the best content out there or get followers and what they choose to do or make a living doing is on them.”

“People lie,” he said.

“A lot,” she said. “I won’t even be offended you were so blunt about that. I’ve seen plenty, but would never call anyone out on it either.”

“Who hurt you?”

The overwhelming urge to hunt the bastard down shocked him.

“No one and everyone,” she said.

“What?” He pushed away his plate and grabbed his egg roll. She did the same.

“I think most teenage girls will say they experienced hurt at school. I’ve been labeled behind my back and lied to by friends. Not all of it was even that horrible. Normal stuff. But I’ve always turned my head and put on a friendly face.”

“Forced it or it came naturally?” he asked.

Her head went from side to side. “A bit of both. It’s more natural than forced. Being angry sometimes makes things worse, and I know in this cancel culture society it’s not worth the risk. My point is many people lie for some kind of gain. I just can’t do it. It’s more important that I can put my head on the pillow at night to count my sheep.”

“I can’t get a read on you,” he said, shaking his head.

“I’m sorry. I’m not trying to be confusing. I’m being honest, but you have to decide if you think that or not.”

“I think you are being honest,” he said.

Because he remembered the person who feared him not that long ago when he was walking up to her car.

It wasn’t just normal fear, but etched on her face and tightening every breath.

He didn’t know if she had it in her to fake something that much.

That her feelings and emotions were there for people to see.

“I am,” she said. “Back to you. When did you get divorced?”

“Ten years ago.”

“So Scarlet was six. That had to be hard on her unless you’re not close.”

“We’re close,” he said. “Maybe too close at times.”

“There is no such thing as being too close to your father,” she said. “Can I share something with you?”

“Nothing has stopped you yet.”

“That’s right,” she said, grinning. “Remember that. My mother and I aren’t close. She’s not close with any of her kids. It’s just her personality. She’s very uptight and, well, no reason to go into too many details and bore you. But I’m the baby and can do nothing right in her eyes. It’s always been that way.”