Daddy

The night after the cash's party their dad came to Miami to see cash "hey pop" he brought homemade jerky from home "so this is your place, um nice" he had a judgemental tone running his finger on the window sill "damn it cash stop having your special packages delivered to my house if I have to open these and see that sight anymore im killing you" she hadn't noticed the bags throwing the boxes on the table jingling her key to the apartment. Cash looked confused right at her "you didn't tell me you were dropping by" "and I thought you changed your address" he tried to gesture to the fact he had company "hey son you're out of toilet paper" he was drying his hands then looked up almost shocked "hey dad" he squinted trying to recognize the face because he has never heard the voice "Ashlyn?" her dad only saw the back of her head as she shut the door "uh anyway how have you been doing" cash set up the extra room trying to keep his mind off what happened. Cash averted the conversation away from Holli as much as their dad wanted to "it's about lunchtime let's go out" it keep getting harder to not talk about it the longer they were together. Holli was texting cash 'forget it, I don't wanna talk to him' she had in all caps before not talking to him again the rest of the night "well then" he mumbled to himself in nervous laughter. The two hit a few nightclubs then dinner before going home to a box free place and a note from Holli 'cash I put the boxes in your hiding place so enjoy your night' the note ended with a winky face making him giggle.

Holli just finished eating lunch hearing the doorbell go way too much "ill gIt it, madam" Jesse got the door as Holli was still in her nightgown and robe stepping up to the room "she'll be right down" Jessie stormed up to her ready to drag her down by the hair but amazed she was getting dressed "a man that claims he's your father is in the foyer" Holli's face read the most sarcastic great she'd ever seen stepping back out "hello" she said looking down walking down the stairs "hey darling, I wanted to talk" his voice was low and remorseful "after 9 years you finally want to talk to me instead of through mom for a chance" he started yelling "well your moms not around anymore and I wanna patch shit up", an hour of arguments and silence went on before cash came in "why did you fight me so much, dad" she had hot tears streaming down her face "because you're my baby girl and I wanted the best for you not what happened, thats why I was extra tough on you" he looked like he was ready to die "fucking finally its been said' cash slumped down in a chair with their dad giving a sharp eye. Cash was only 18 so he assumed he would be killed or grounded for the rest of his stay "oh yeah I brought the things you were left in the will" "dad it's Holli, has been since I was 19" he got defensive "not on the legal documents, Ashlyn violet brooks" "the full name dad, even mom would do that" she went to the kitchen grabbing some cake. Cash was confined to his sister's house for the remaining 2 days he mumbled to himself eating out of her candy dish "stop it, you need to keep your shape" Holli slapped the unwrapped candy from his hand propping her feet up on the table putting on reruns "miss Holli your scotch on the rocks" she smiled trying to get her to sit with her but instead cleaned her shoes "your phone madam" the butler stood by waiting "well im going out" she threw on her heels and ran out. Jessie started a full analysis of their father "mister Robert would you like some tea" startled he asked how she knew his name "im sorry Jessie is just the name, miss Holli gave me im an AI" he agreed to the tea while waiting for his daughter "where did she go" cash questioned Jessie right before the signal from his dad "she's 23 and successful leave her be, I run an Etsy shop" he rolled his eyes drinking the tea next to a picture of their mom.

Holli's dad knocked on the door just as she was getting out of the bathroom "come in" she was drying her hair under close supervision "mister brooks, I'll leave you two alone" she bowed like they were royalty and left with grace "your mom left you some things and this note" he handed her a velvet box with a paper folded so gentle on top "im not sure if I should open it" "your mother would want you to" she took another glance at him then slowly pried it open seeing her moms diamond wedding ring on top of the Tiffany bag filled with the jewelry she wore on her wedding day complete with a picture "daddy really" she folded the box and gave him a big hug "we'll all miss her" he brushed the hair out of her face and kissed her good night. Cash started to think some things through like 'why was Jesse always around his sister' and 'why is her husband never around' for weeks on end picking up the daily paper with a silly headline and picture of his sister's husband in a hot tub with another 'is Holli Watson and Kenny Johnson headed for splitsville' he instantly contacted Holli "honey I'll come over and explain everything" after work Holli gladly stopped by, everything was much better the conversation and no more questions came of it. The two were going down the same path career-wise and it wasn't a good one "oh our winter trip is coming up and I think we should invite dad" in an odd turn of events she agreed to it letting Cash choose the destination and holli get the plane tickets and hotel booked like she did every year.