Page 79 of Survival

“Come on, Darren, you don’t want me goingsoft, now do you?” I played along with his little game.

“Mmm, but I like yousoft.” He smirked, his big hands caressing the skin of myarms.

Ugh.

“You know what I mean.”

“I’ll think about it,” he finallyreplied.

He’d better notthinkabout it for too long. I carried rage that neededan outlet, and I actually preferred something that wouldn’t hit meback.

We were silent for a bit, just enjoying thesound of the rushing water and the birds chirping around us. It wasreally quite peaceful.

“Jaden,” Darren finally said. “I want you totell me about your father.”

I groaned and tensed my shoulders.

“Why?” I whined, hiding my face in hischest. “Why do you want to ruin this nice silent peace we’rehaving?”

This topic could potentially bring me totears, and I was tired of looking weak in front of him.

“Because I need to know what kind of maleauthority you had in your life. Plus, I’m curious as to what he waslike.”

“I really don’t want to talk about it, andforcing me to talk about it will not end well for either of us,” Isaid angrily.

“Jaden, so help me God, if you don’t tell mewhat I want to know right now, I’m going to tie you to this hammockand leave you here all night.”

“Why are you doing this to me?” Ipractically shouted at him.

“Because I can, princess.”

“Ugh!” I groaned and tried to push off him,but he slammed me back down on top of him, his arms snaking aroundmy back and chaining me to him.

“Don’t you dare fucking move, Jaden. See?You’re already getting upset about the topic, and I haven’t evenasked you a single question yet. You clearly need to lay yourfeelings on the table before they destroy you.”

“You’re what’s destroying me,” I said intohis skin.

“Well, thank you.” He chuckled. “I thought Iwas doing a pretty good job myself.”

“Fuck you,” I mumbled.

And then his hand came down hard on myalready sore ass, and I yelped at the contact.

“Watch it, Jaden. That’s strike one.”

I just groaned at him. Fucking strikes.

“I’ll tell you what. Let’s start slow. Justtell me what he was like.”

I was silent now, holding back my snifflesas Darren continued to berate me. After a few thoughtful secondsand attempting to ignore the new sting in my ass, I finallyreleased a breath and answered.

“He was everything to me. He taught me howto ride, how to play football, he was always there when I neededhim. He was my rock.” I knew Darren would want more, so I startedto tip the edge and spill my heart just enough to make asplash.

“He was kind and gentle, strong and tough,and he never took any shit from anyone and he taught me to do thesame. Never show fear, just your war face. That was his thing. Bothhe and my mother strongly encouraged my independence and to goforth in life with gusto and guts. He taught me the value of hardwork and helping others. And he always had my back no matter what.So there, that was the kind of man he was.”

I could feel Darren nod inacknowledgment. “He sounds like he was a goodman.”

“The best,” I replied. “And I miss him everyday.”