The Day I Kissed An Older Man

Vince nodded in agreement.

Rita and Sadie soon took their places at opposite ends of the table. As soon as Sadie sat down, she lowered her head in dejection.

Vince asked casually, “What’s wrong? Did you have a bad night’s sleep?”

Tears welled in Sadie’s eyes as she lifted her head.

Rita could only marvel at Sadie and Karen’s increasingly dramatic performances. She felt that they ought to dabble in an acting career, as Sadie

would be able to make a name for herself and have an outlet to put those acting skills to good use.

their charades was exhausting. There were times when Rita had to put up an act too if she wanted to escape swiftly from a

she thought of all that while reaching for her favorite dish. “It’s nothing, Dad. Rita doesn’t come back often, so let’s not dwell on it any longer. Let’s eat.

ignorance after seeing Sadie’s attempts at reconciliation. He set down his cutlery and

just tell you to call her down to have a meal together? Why do you always have to complicate things and

this time? I was

all. Come on, Dad, let’s enjoy the food

so upset if Rita didn’t do anything? I know things haven’t been easy for you because you’re not my biological daughter, but I’ve vowed to treat you as my own from the day your mother and I got married. The least I should do

mouth and attempted

girls to argue from time to time. They’ll move on soon enough.

you spoil Rita so much and shield Rita from the consequences. Don’t you know that spoiling a child isn’t

blaming me for this?” Sadie asked. “If a stranger saw us like this in public, they’d think I’ve