I know what to expect when I hop in the car after school.
Dad turns toward me before pulling away from the curb. He chuckles, “It’s the third of the month! You know what that means. We’re going to the mall to spend every last dime this crummy government gives us!”
An impish grin splashes across my face despite my guilt. Shouldn’t the money go toward paying bills or buying food? Or is Dad right when he says they don’t give us enough to live on, so it doesn’t matter anyways?
“Goddamn eight hundred dollars! You can’t buy much with that. Maybe a few new outfits?”
I blush at Dad’s suggestion. Mostly because I know he won’t buy anything for himself. Are you selfish? Are you making him do this somehow?
Dad finds his usual handicapped parking space at the mall. As we make our way down the wide aisle, I hook my right arm through Dad’s left arm per protocol. “Jesus, Jenny. Stop growing like a weed. Daddy just realized you’re taller than me.”
After asking Dad to chop my long hair into a shoulder-length bob last week, I feel all grown up. “Even though you made Daddy cry—cutting all your gorgeous hair off—I have to admit it looks nice on you. You could pass for sixteen years old now. And I must say I did a fantastic job cutting it!”
I roll my eyes a little. Dad the sides are uneven, and somebody made fun of me for it at school. But I still like it.”
Two teenage boys wearing cargo pants and dingy t-shirts make their way toward us. They point at Dad and me while they snicker. “Wow. That’s a hot young girlfriend you got there, Buddy!” Dad turns on his heel, jerking me around with him. “What did you say to me? This is my daughter, assholes. Haven’t you ever heard of old fashioned respect?”
To avoid the public humiliation, I duck into Lerner New York. The saleswoman asks, “What’s going on out there?”
“Well these guys thought that I was my Dad’s girlfriend, I guess.”
She rolls her eyes. “I am sorry, Hun. That must be a little embarrassing.”
“Yeah.” I finger all the clothes hanging on the racks. I base my selections on the softest garments to touch. And whether or not they are dressy. Dad prefers ladies to wear dresses and skirts.
When Dad locates me, I have four hangers draped over my arms. “Good. They look good. Go try them on. And don’t worry, Daddy told those assholes off. What kind of a world are we living in where a Father can’t hold his daughters arm?”
Ugh Dad. I’m sure it’s just because no one else does it! It’s 1993 not 1903!
Dad instructs me to buy them all as I twirl out of the dressing room. But I decide on 2 items. A maxi flowered skirt. And the matching top.
As we head down the mall aisle, I point to a store we’ve never been in before. GAP.
I glance back at Dad, pleading. “Well let’s go in, then!”
The clothes make my heart skip a beat. They are all neutral shades: denim, khaki, and black. I grab a sandy-hued, knitted maxi tank dress off the rack, and hold it up to my body. This is the best dress in the world. Almost better than the sailor dress from two years ago.
I search for the price tag. $69.99. A flip of the tag reveals an orange sticker marked, $9.99.
Ten bucks! My hands shake as I show Dad the deal. “It’s gorgeous. Now go try it on so we can get the hell out of here.”
Before I try it on, I admire the dress on the hanger and inspect it carefully. I saunter out of the dressing room on my tip-toes. “Very nice. Sometimes your Father wishes your Mother wasn’t such a jerk so she could watch you growing into such a nice young lady. You sure know how to pick out clothes, my baby girl!”
While we stand at the register, Dad makes conversation with the cashier. “Nice store. This is the first time my daughter and I have been in.”
She smiles and nods at me. I blush and turn away.
“That’ll be $10.06 with the tax, Sir.”
“Goddamn government with their tax. You know what kills me—it’s the pennies. Why do we even need pennies? Couldn’t it just be $10.05 or $10.10? It would all work out the same in the end.”
Unsure of a response, the cashier stretches out her hand.
Dad continues, “It doesn’t matter anyways because money is obsolete. Do you know what I mean when I say that?”
She shakes her head no.
“Well—computers! Just look at them. They took over the world. When I was a kid, there were no computers. But one day—mark my words—the government is going to put chips in our heads. Little computer chips.”
The cashier’s eyes grow wide and she steps back with discomfort.
“Well think about it. There won’t be any more theft. You won’t have money and they will know what money we all have and our whereabouts at all times.”
After getting no response, Dad points to me. “Just ask my daughter. I’m a psychic. I know these things. We’ve never made a sci-fi movie that won’t come true in your lifetime. Dick Tracey’s watch—I’ll bet they have one in ten years.”
Come on Dad. Let’s go. Before someone calls the police.
Dad winks at the cashier because he knows she doesn’t understand but he feels better for telling her anyway.
When we step into the mall parking lot, I’m still beaming thinking about my new GAP dress.
But Dad yanks my arm. “Next time Daddy is telling someone about my predictions, you speak up and defend your Father. I do everything for you—you selfish Bitch. The least you can do is back Daddy up once in a while.”
I don’t care what you do to me. I’m never going to back up your stupid predictions. Not ever.
The Last Daughter 