Without Law 19, page 11
“Ehhhh, I wouldn’t really say DeNiro is a badass,” Paige said, and she scrunched up her mouth in thought.
“Um, he’s a total badass,” the redhead scoffed. “Haven’t you ever seen The Untouchables?”
“Oh, yeah, I forgot about that one!” Paige exclaimed. “That’s where he--”
“And Ronin?” Anna interrupted.
“Oh, yeah!” Paige gasped. “That movie was amazing! Okay, he’s a bad—”
“Okay, what’s your guys’ point here?” Tara asked, and she glared at the two of them.
“The point is that badasses don’t have to say they’re badasses,” Anna explained.
“Soooo, I can’t say I’m a badass now, even though I am?” Tara asked, and her platinum-blonde eyebrows pinched together.
“I mean, think about it, did Tav ever once say he was a badass?” Paige asked.
“Holy shit,” Tara said, and she shook her head. “You’re right. He just was a badass.”
“Yeah,” Anna said. “It’s hard to believe someone when they say they’re a badass, it’s easier if you can just see it. Saying you're a badass is kind of lame, it makes it seem like you’re probably not as badass as you think you are.”
“Real G’s move in silence like lasagna,” Paige added, though I didn’t get the reference at all.
“Totally get it now.” Tara nodded. “Like how Elle Woods would never say she’s pretty, everybody just knows it. I’ve been doing it all wrong.”
“Umm, sure,” Anna chuckled.
“But, then how do I prove I’m a badass?” she asked.
“I’m not sure you can.” Bailey pursed her lips. “At least not that quickly. You might just have to wait for him to see what you can do.”
“Well, that’s stupid,” Tara huffed, and she poured another can of what looked like tomatoes into the pot and then set it on the flames.
“It’s alright.” Bailey smiled. “We know you’re a badass at least.”
“Thanks, Bails,” Tara sighed. “This is why you’re the favorite.”
“Hey!” Paige laughed.
“Yeah, what are we, chopped liver?” Anna joked.
“Relax, I didn’t mean she’s my favorite.” Tara rolled her eyes. “I was saying that’s why she’s everyone’s favorite.”
“Eh, fair enough.” Anna shrugged.
“Yeah, that’s true,” Paige agreed.
“Wait, I’m the favorite?” Bailey asked, and she smiled wide as her cheeks flushed with color.
“Oh, like you didn’t know.” Tara glared at her playfully.
“I didn’t,” the blonde laughed.
“Which is why you’re the favorite,” the platinum-blonde said. “You’re not cocky enough to think you’re the favorite. See? I’m getting this now.”
The girls continued to chat while I went to the tent to grab some jackets for them. It was getting chilly outside, and even though we were by the fire, I didn’t want them getting cold.
By the time I found each of them a jacket and made my way back out to the fire, I could smell Tara’s dinner.
“Mmm, that smells delicious,” I told her as I handed her the jacket.
“Thanks.” She smiled and took the coat. “I’m hot as hell still, though.”
“Oh, yeah, you’re pregnant, right?” I joked.
“Ha, ha.” Tara glared at me and then looked down at her belly. “This is your fault, you know.”
“I’ll take that any day,” I laughed and kissed the top of her head.
I handed the girls their jackets, but as I walked back to my seat, I saw Tara’s father headed over to us.
“Oh, I think I forgot to mention I invited your dad to dinner,” I whispered.
“Uh, you think?” Tara asked with a glare.
“He’s here to apologize.” I smiled.
“He better be,” she mumbled, then she looked up at her father. “Hi, Daddy.”
“Hi, pumpkin,” he said and looked around awkwardly for a second.
“Please, have a seat,” I told him, and I gestured to the makeshift bench on the other side of Tara.
“I was actually hoping I could speak to my daughter in private,” he said.
“No.” Tara shook her head. “Whatever you’ve got to say to me you say it in front of these sexy bitches. No offense, Tav.”
“None taken,” I chuckled.
“Well, alright,” Pete sighed and looked at his daughter. “I’m sorry for yelling at you in front of everyone. That was wrong, and I apologize.”
“Aaaand?” Tara asked.
“And what?” he asked, and his brow furrowed with confusion.
“And you’re sorry for what you said, not just how you said it,” Tara explained.
“Now that, I won’t apologize for,” he said, and he lifted his chin slightly. “You are still my daughter, no matter how much you’ve… changed over these last couple of years. And it’s still my job to look out for you and protect you, especially now that you’re carrying my grandbaby around.”
“Okay, you are right.” Tara shrugged. “You don’t have to apologize, but I’m not a kid anymore, and I’m going to do what I want. And besides, I don’t need you to protect me anymore, I can do that myself now, thanks to Tav.”
“I don’t like this,” he said, and he walked over and sat down next to his daughter.
“I understand,” Tara said, and she looked at him and softened her face as she reached out to touch his hand. “And I appreciate the concern, but I’ll be fine.”
“You’ve really been fighting all this time?” he asked, and his mouth pulled into a deep frown.
“Since last spring,” Tara corrected. “And don’t look so sad about it. I like fighting.”
“You like fighting?” he laughed and shook his head. “Last time I saw you, you asked me to peel an orange for you because you didn’t want to get your hands, and I quote, ‘icky’.”
“And I stand by that,” Tara chuckled. “But I do like fighting. I’m really good at it. I feel like I actually found my purpose in life.”
“And you girls have been fighting with her?” he asked as he looked over at Paige, Anna, and Bailey.
“We have.” Anna nodded.
“Your daughter’s really good.” Paige smiled. “Like Tav said earlier, she’s the best covert person we have. We call her our ninja.”
“So you have special skills now, eh?” he asked with a smile.
“Duh,” Tara joked. “We all do.”
“All of you?” Pete’s eyebrows pinched together as he looked over at me. “How’d you manage to train all of them in a different category?”
“I didn’t,” I told him. “I gave them basic training, they each just showed natural skills in different areas.”
“So, what are the skills, if you don’t mind my asking?” he asked as he looked back to the girls.
“Tara’s covert, obviously,” Anna announced.
“And you?” Pete asked.
“Anna is my second in command,” I said. “She’s got a great head for military maneuvers and battle strategy.”
“That makes sense based on what I heard in the war room.” He nodded.
“Paige is an expert navigator,” I said. “And she’s also our on site medic.”
“Medic?” Pete asked. “Aren’t you a bit young for that?”
“Well, yes.” The brunette smiled. “But I was pre-med before the EMP hit, and I’ve kept up my reading and studied under Marla, our nurse back on campus.”
“You all were still living on campus?” he asked, and he turned back to Tara. “My group really never got to you?”
“No.” Tara shook her head. “We’ve had people try to come to campus, but never anybody good. They probably got killed by some assholes in the area before they got to me.”
“I’m so sorry, pumpkin,” he sighed. “I feel like I let you down.”
“Don’t worry about it, Dad,” Tara said with a shrug. “It’s nice to know you tried like I knew you would.”
He smiled and squeezed his daughter’s hand, then he looked to Bailey.
“Oh, I didn’t hear what you do on this team,” he said.
“I’m the sniper,” Bailey said quietly.
“Sorry.” He shook his head. “Did you say sniper?”
“Yeah.” Bailey bit her lip.
“She shot a grenade in mid-air one time,” Tara told him.
“I’m sorry,” Pete chuckled. “I don’t mean to look so dumbfounded, you’re just so… tiny.”
“It’s okay.” Bailey shrugged. “I’m used to it.”
“You should see her with her Barrett,” Paige laughed.
“The… Barret… rifle?” His mouth hung open. “That’s probably longer than you are tall!”
“Tav helps me carry it sometimes,” Bailey giggled. “But I love shooting it.”
“You are all amazing.” He gestured around the fire. “You’re just college girls, you shouldn’t have to be involved in this. And to have gained such skills, it’s… impressive, but it also makes me sad.”
“Ugh, Dad, you’re such a downer,” Tara groaned.
“I’m sorry, pumpkin.” He frowned. “I just don’t like you being out here like this. It’s not your responsibility.”
“It’s my country.” Tara shrugged. “And I’d like to keep it that way.”
Tara’s father seemed to be bringing out his softer side now that he had a few minutes to actually talk with his daughter, and I got the sense Tara had him wrapped around her little finger before all this.
I knew the two of them were close, but it was still wonderful to see them together. I wasn’t sure they’d ever see each other again, or even if he was alive, and I couldn’t help the smile that came over my face as they fell right back into step with one another.
“Well, however this has worked out,” Pete said, and he smiled at his daughter. “And whoever you are now, you’re still my daughter, and I love you and I’m happy you’re here.”
“Thanks, Dad.” Tara leaned over and kissed her dad on the cheek.
“Also, something smells absolutely delicious,” he said as he lightly sniffed the air.
“That would be your daughter’s cooking,” Paige explained.
“Tav mentioned you cook now,” he said, and he raised a white eyebrow at Tara. “When did that happen?”
“When nobody else could,” Tara laughed.
“Nobody else can cook?” he chuckled.
“Ehhh, I can cook like one thing.” Anna shrugged.
“I’m not very good, either,” Paige admitted.
“I can grow food.” Bailey smiled, then she frowned. “But cooking is more difficult.”
“And you, Tav?” Pete asked.
“You know a military man, sir,” I said. “I cook first to eat, not to enjoy.”
“Right you are.” He nodded and shook his head. “I’m afraid that’s the way it is down here, too. Most of these men have no idea what the hell they’re doing in the kitchen.”
“I’m not surprised,” Tara chuckled. “I’ll have to cook for you guys sometime.”
“I’m still astounded you just figured out how to cook,” he said. “Your grandmother would have been proud.”
“Well, actually, she’s kind of how I learned,” Tara said.
“You never cooked with her,” Pete said, and his brow furrowed.
“Yeah, but I watched her all the time.” Tara shrugged. “When I needed to cook, it just kind of came back. I remember the spices and stuff she used and how she used to season things.”
“I’m glad that stuck with you,” he said. “And it does smell good.”
“It’s going to taste even better.” She smiled and picked up the oven mit to take the soup off the flames. “It’s done. Let’s dish it up.”
“I hate to seem so eager, but yes please.” Pete grinned. “Like I said, the meals around here are… less than adequate.”
“So, you’re where Tara gets her high expectations from,” Anna joked.
“Afraid so,” Pete chuckled. “I always did want big things for her. But maybe I didn’t let her accomplish them on her own enough. It seems being without me for a while and faced with some adversity has really helped her grow.”
“Hey, I did stuff on my own!” Tara scoffed.
“Honey, I got you a laundry service for college.” Pete shook his head. “You know the other girls did their own laundry, right?”
“I needed that time to study.” Tara smiled and batted her lashes at her father.
“Sure, that’s why you consistently got B’s and C’s,” he said, and he cocked his head to the side.
“I’m pretty sure that says more about you as a parent than it does about me as a daughter,” Tara countered.
“I’m just happy to see she’s as mean to you as she is to us,” Anna chuckled.
“Oh, she’s always been like that,” Pete said. “She was the leader of the group, and if someone didn’t like it, they were no longer part of the group. It made it a bit lonely for her growing up, I have to say.”
“I wasn’t lonely.” Tara shrugged. “I had friends, but I liked my alone time.”
“Yeah, even now, she sleeps away from everyone else,” Paige said. “She can’t even share a dang blanket.”
“I like my space.” Tara shrugged again. “Sue me.”
“That one girl tried, remember?” Pete chuckled.
“What?” Anna asked, and she looked at Tara with wide eyes. “Someone tried to sue you? For what?”
“Oh, my god, that was so stupid.” Tara rolled her eyes. “This chick Lexi said I caused her emotional distress by getting the same Lexus as hers. But it wasn’t even the same, mine was a totally different color, and she was just mad because her boyfriend liked me.”
“You can sue someone over that?” Bailey asked, and her blonde eyebrows pinched together.
“Unfortunately, when you have money, you can sue anyone you’d like.” Pete shook his head. “The case was dropped, but it was a whole to do, and honestly, I found the whole thing quite ridiculous.”
“Because it was!” Tara scoffed.
“So somehow this girl had a lawyer good enough to figure out how to sue you over that.” Anna shook her head. “The things rich people have.”
“Tara was fortunate enough to grow up the way she did,” Pete said with a nod.
“You say that like you didn’t grow up rich,” Anna said.
“Far from it,” Pete chuckled. “My mother was a Polish immigrant, and we had very little money growing up.”
“I guess I never realized that.” Tara frowned.
“Well, once I started to make my own money, I bought Gram her house and took care of her, of course,” he said. “But she never had anything like that before, and it was hard for her to even accept it.”
“Huh,” Tara said. “Is that why she knew how to cook so well?”
“I’m sure that was part of it,” Pete agreed. “We often couldn’t afford birthday cakes, and we never went out to restaurants, so Gram did her best to cook for us.”
“That’s so sad,” Tara said, and she nearly teared up.
“Jesus, Tara,” Anna laughed. “Emotional much?”
“I’m pregnant as hell, okay!” the platinum-blonde squealed, and she wiped her eyes.
“How about we just dish up some dinner?” I suggested, and I reached for the bowls and started to dish them up.
“Your mother was the same way when she was pregnant with you,” Pete said, and he looked at his daughter fondly. “She was a damn roller coaster.”
“I already feel like one,” Tara sighed.
“And you’re absolutely sure you want to try and fight in this condition?” Pete asked.
“Ugh, yes, Dad,” Tara scoffed. “I told you, I’m really good at this.”
“Alright.” He shrugged.
“I am!” Tara protested.
“If you say so, pumpkin.” Pete nodded almost condescendingly.
“Alright, old man,” Tara said, and she glared at him and stood up. “Come on.”
“Come on where?” he laughed.
“We’re gonna scrap,” she said.
“Ohhhhh, no, we’re not,” he laughed.
“Yes we are,” Tara said, then she flashed him a grin. “Unless you’re too scared of getting your butt kicked.”
“Oh, now it’s on.” Pete stood up. “But don’t feel bad when I beat you. I’ll make sure to take it easy on you since you’re pregnant.”
“Um, should we be letting them do this?” Anna asked me as Tara led her father to an open area near our camp.
“I don’t see why not.” I shrugged. “Paige said she can do everything she did before she was pregnant. And besides, these hormones seem to have her wanting to fight. I’m just glad it’s not me.”
“Right,” Paige chuckled. “First Minji, and now her dad.”
“My money’s on the old guy,” Anna said.
“Nah, Tara’s got this,” Bailey laughed.
“Hey, we can hear you,” Tara said, and she glared at us.
“Oh, right, sorry,” Paige snickered.
Tara turned to her father and took a fighting stance. She shifted her body slightly to the side, planted her feet, bent her knees, and raised her hands up in a defensive position.
“Come at me,” the platinum-blonde told her father.
“And you’re sure you can handle this?” Pete asked, but Tara just made chicken noises in response, so he shrugged and took a fighting stance of his own.
Pete clearly underestimated his daughter, because his first move was to try and swat her hands down so he could go in for the pretend face shot.
Tara was quick, though, and she followed his movements so she knew exactly what he was going to do. She countered beautifully by yanking one hand downard, then bringing it back up in an arc so it was on top of the hand he used to try and swat her arms down. With her other hand, she gripped his wrist, then spun around so her back was to him. If she’d been actually fighting, she would have had him on his back just then.
“And bam,” Tara said. “I could have just flipped you over me so easily.”
“Flipped me over you?” he laughed. “You’re not strong enough for that. I’m twice your size.”
“It’s not about strength,” Tara said. “It’s getting you at the right angle and using your own momentum against you.”
“Um, he’s a total badass,” the redhead scoffed. “Haven’t you ever seen The Untouchables?”
“Oh, yeah, I forgot about that one!” Paige exclaimed. “That’s where he--”
“And Ronin?” Anna interrupted.
“Oh, yeah!” Paige gasped. “That movie was amazing! Okay, he’s a bad—”
“Okay, what’s your guys’ point here?” Tara asked, and she glared at the two of them.
“The point is that badasses don’t have to say they’re badasses,” Anna explained.
“Soooo, I can’t say I’m a badass now, even though I am?” Tara asked, and her platinum-blonde eyebrows pinched together.
“I mean, think about it, did Tav ever once say he was a badass?” Paige asked.
“Holy shit,” Tara said, and she shook her head. “You’re right. He just was a badass.”
“Yeah,” Anna said. “It’s hard to believe someone when they say they’re a badass, it’s easier if you can just see it. Saying you're a badass is kind of lame, it makes it seem like you’re probably not as badass as you think you are.”
“Real G’s move in silence like lasagna,” Paige added, though I didn’t get the reference at all.
“Totally get it now.” Tara nodded. “Like how Elle Woods would never say she’s pretty, everybody just knows it. I’ve been doing it all wrong.”
“Umm, sure,” Anna chuckled.
“But, then how do I prove I’m a badass?” she asked.
“I’m not sure you can.” Bailey pursed her lips. “At least not that quickly. You might just have to wait for him to see what you can do.”
“Well, that’s stupid,” Tara huffed, and she poured another can of what looked like tomatoes into the pot and then set it on the flames.
“It’s alright.” Bailey smiled. “We know you’re a badass at least.”
“Thanks, Bails,” Tara sighed. “This is why you’re the favorite.”
“Hey!” Paige laughed.
“Yeah, what are we, chopped liver?” Anna joked.
“Relax, I didn’t mean she’s my favorite.” Tara rolled her eyes. “I was saying that’s why she’s everyone’s favorite.”
“Eh, fair enough.” Anna shrugged.
“Yeah, that’s true,” Paige agreed.
“Wait, I’m the favorite?” Bailey asked, and she smiled wide as her cheeks flushed with color.
“Oh, like you didn’t know.” Tara glared at her playfully.
“I didn’t,” the blonde laughed.
“Which is why you’re the favorite,” the platinum-blonde said. “You’re not cocky enough to think you’re the favorite. See? I’m getting this now.”
The girls continued to chat while I went to the tent to grab some jackets for them. It was getting chilly outside, and even though we were by the fire, I didn’t want them getting cold.
By the time I found each of them a jacket and made my way back out to the fire, I could smell Tara’s dinner.
“Mmm, that smells delicious,” I told her as I handed her the jacket.
“Thanks.” She smiled and took the coat. “I’m hot as hell still, though.”
“Oh, yeah, you’re pregnant, right?” I joked.
“Ha, ha.” Tara glared at me and then looked down at her belly. “This is your fault, you know.”
“I’ll take that any day,” I laughed and kissed the top of her head.
I handed the girls their jackets, but as I walked back to my seat, I saw Tara’s father headed over to us.
“Oh, I think I forgot to mention I invited your dad to dinner,” I whispered.
“Uh, you think?” Tara asked with a glare.
“He’s here to apologize.” I smiled.
“He better be,” she mumbled, then she looked up at her father. “Hi, Daddy.”
“Hi, pumpkin,” he said and looked around awkwardly for a second.
“Please, have a seat,” I told him, and I gestured to the makeshift bench on the other side of Tara.
“I was actually hoping I could speak to my daughter in private,” he said.
“No.” Tara shook her head. “Whatever you’ve got to say to me you say it in front of these sexy bitches. No offense, Tav.”
“None taken,” I chuckled.
“Well, alright,” Pete sighed and looked at his daughter. “I’m sorry for yelling at you in front of everyone. That was wrong, and I apologize.”
“Aaaand?” Tara asked.
“And what?” he asked, and his brow furrowed with confusion.
“And you’re sorry for what you said, not just how you said it,” Tara explained.
“Now that, I won’t apologize for,” he said, and he lifted his chin slightly. “You are still my daughter, no matter how much you’ve… changed over these last couple of years. And it’s still my job to look out for you and protect you, especially now that you’re carrying my grandbaby around.”
“Okay, you are right.” Tara shrugged. “You don’t have to apologize, but I’m not a kid anymore, and I’m going to do what I want. And besides, I don’t need you to protect me anymore, I can do that myself now, thanks to Tav.”
“I don’t like this,” he said, and he walked over and sat down next to his daughter.
“I understand,” Tara said, and she looked at him and softened her face as she reached out to touch his hand. “And I appreciate the concern, but I’ll be fine.”
“You’ve really been fighting all this time?” he asked, and his mouth pulled into a deep frown.
“Since last spring,” Tara corrected. “And don’t look so sad about it. I like fighting.”
“You like fighting?” he laughed and shook his head. “Last time I saw you, you asked me to peel an orange for you because you didn’t want to get your hands, and I quote, ‘icky’.”
“And I stand by that,” Tara chuckled. “But I do like fighting. I’m really good at it. I feel like I actually found my purpose in life.”
“And you girls have been fighting with her?” he asked as he looked over at Paige, Anna, and Bailey.
“We have.” Anna nodded.
“Your daughter’s really good.” Paige smiled. “Like Tav said earlier, she’s the best covert person we have. We call her our ninja.”
“So you have special skills now, eh?” he asked with a smile.
“Duh,” Tara joked. “We all do.”
“All of you?” Pete’s eyebrows pinched together as he looked over at me. “How’d you manage to train all of them in a different category?”
“I didn’t,” I told him. “I gave them basic training, they each just showed natural skills in different areas.”
“So, what are the skills, if you don’t mind my asking?” he asked as he looked back to the girls.
“Tara’s covert, obviously,” Anna announced.
“And you?” Pete asked.
“Anna is my second in command,” I said. “She’s got a great head for military maneuvers and battle strategy.”
“That makes sense based on what I heard in the war room.” He nodded.
“Paige is an expert navigator,” I said. “And she’s also our on site medic.”
“Medic?” Pete asked. “Aren’t you a bit young for that?”
“Well, yes.” The brunette smiled. “But I was pre-med before the EMP hit, and I’ve kept up my reading and studied under Marla, our nurse back on campus.”
“You all were still living on campus?” he asked, and he turned back to Tara. “My group really never got to you?”
“No.” Tara shook her head. “We’ve had people try to come to campus, but never anybody good. They probably got killed by some assholes in the area before they got to me.”
“I’m so sorry, pumpkin,” he sighed. “I feel like I let you down.”
“Don’t worry about it, Dad,” Tara said with a shrug. “It’s nice to know you tried like I knew you would.”
He smiled and squeezed his daughter’s hand, then he looked to Bailey.
“Oh, I didn’t hear what you do on this team,” he said.
“I’m the sniper,” Bailey said quietly.
“Sorry.” He shook his head. “Did you say sniper?”
“Yeah.” Bailey bit her lip.
“She shot a grenade in mid-air one time,” Tara told him.
“I’m sorry,” Pete chuckled. “I don’t mean to look so dumbfounded, you’re just so… tiny.”
“It’s okay.” Bailey shrugged. “I’m used to it.”
“You should see her with her Barrett,” Paige laughed.
“The… Barret… rifle?” His mouth hung open. “That’s probably longer than you are tall!”
“Tav helps me carry it sometimes,” Bailey giggled. “But I love shooting it.”
“You are all amazing.” He gestured around the fire. “You’re just college girls, you shouldn’t have to be involved in this. And to have gained such skills, it’s… impressive, but it also makes me sad.”
“Ugh, Dad, you’re such a downer,” Tara groaned.
“I’m sorry, pumpkin.” He frowned. “I just don’t like you being out here like this. It’s not your responsibility.”
“It’s my country.” Tara shrugged. “And I’d like to keep it that way.”
Tara’s father seemed to be bringing out his softer side now that he had a few minutes to actually talk with his daughter, and I got the sense Tara had him wrapped around her little finger before all this.
I knew the two of them were close, but it was still wonderful to see them together. I wasn’t sure they’d ever see each other again, or even if he was alive, and I couldn’t help the smile that came over my face as they fell right back into step with one another.
“Well, however this has worked out,” Pete said, and he smiled at his daughter. “And whoever you are now, you’re still my daughter, and I love you and I’m happy you’re here.”
“Thanks, Dad.” Tara leaned over and kissed her dad on the cheek.
“Also, something smells absolutely delicious,” he said as he lightly sniffed the air.
“That would be your daughter’s cooking,” Paige explained.
“Tav mentioned you cook now,” he said, and he raised a white eyebrow at Tara. “When did that happen?”
“When nobody else could,” Tara laughed.
“Nobody else can cook?” he chuckled.
“Ehhh, I can cook like one thing.” Anna shrugged.
“I’m not very good, either,” Paige admitted.
“I can grow food.” Bailey smiled, then she frowned. “But cooking is more difficult.”
“And you, Tav?” Pete asked.
“You know a military man, sir,” I said. “I cook first to eat, not to enjoy.”
“Right you are.” He nodded and shook his head. “I’m afraid that’s the way it is down here, too. Most of these men have no idea what the hell they’re doing in the kitchen.”
“I’m not surprised,” Tara chuckled. “I’ll have to cook for you guys sometime.”
“I’m still astounded you just figured out how to cook,” he said. “Your grandmother would have been proud.”
“Well, actually, she’s kind of how I learned,” Tara said.
“You never cooked with her,” Pete said, and his brow furrowed.
“Yeah, but I watched her all the time.” Tara shrugged. “When I needed to cook, it just kind of came back. I remember the spices and stuff she used and how she used to season things.”
“I’m glad that stuck with you,” he said. “And it does smell good.”
“It’s going to taste even better.” She smiled and picked up the oven mit to take the soup off the flames. “It’s done. Let’s dish it up.”
“I hate to seem so eager, but yes please.” Pete grinned. “Like I said, the meals around here are… less than adequate.”
“So, you’re where Tara gets her high expectations from,” Anna joked.
“Afraid so,” Pete chuckled. “I always did want big things for her. But maybe I didn’t let her accomplish them on her own enough. It seems being without me for a while and faced with some adversity has really helped her grow.”
“Hey, I did stuff on my own!” Tara scoffed.
“Honey, I got you a laundry service for college.” Pete shook his head. “You know the other girls did their own laundry, right?”
“I needed that time to study.” Tara smiled and batted her lashes at her father.
“Sure, that’s why you consistently got B’s and C’s,” he said, and he cocked his head to the side.
“I’m pretty sure that says more about you as a parent than it does about me as a daughter,” Tara countered.
“I’m just happy to see she’s as mean to you as she is to us,” Anna chuckled.
“Oh, she’s always been like that,” Pete said. “She was the leader of the group, and if someone didn’t like it, they were no longer part of the group. It made it a bit lonely for her growing up, I have to say.”
“I wasn’t lonely.” Tara shrugged. “I had friends, but I liked my alone time.”
“Yeah, even now, she sleeps away from everyone else,” Paige said. “She can’t even share a dang blanket.”
“I like my space.” Tara shrugged again. “Sue me.”
“That one girl tried, remember?” Pete chuckled.
“What?” Anna asked, and she looked at Tara with wide eyes. “Someone tried to sue you? For what?”
“Oh, my god, that was so stupid.” Tara rolled her eyes. “This chick Lexi said I caused her emotional distress by getting the same Lexus as hers. But it wasn’t even the same, mine was a totally different color, and she was just mad because her boyfriend liked me.”
“You can sue someone over that?” Bailey asked, and her blonde eyebrows pinched together.
“Unfortunately, when you have money, you can sue anyone you’d like.” Pete shook his head. “The case was dropped, but it was a whole to do, and honestly, I found the whole thing quite ridiculous.”
“Because it was!” Tara scoffed.
“So somehow this girl had a lawyer good enough to figure out how to sue you over that.” Anna shook her head. “The things rich people have.”
“Tara was fortunate enough to grow up the way she did,” Pete said with a nod.
“You say that like you didn’t grow up rich,” Anna said.
“Far from it,” Pete chuckled. “My mother was a Polish immigrant, and we had very little money growing up.”
“I guess I never realized that.” Tara frowned.
“Well, once I started to make my own money, I bought Gram her house and took care of her, of course,” he said. “But she never had anything like that before, and it was hard for her to even accept it.”
“Huh,” Tara said. “Is that why she knew how to cook so well?”
“I’m sure that was part of it,” Pete agreed. “We often couldn’t afford birthday cakes, and we never went out to restaurants, so Gram did her best to cook for us.”
“That’s so sad,” Tara said, and she nearly teared up.
“Jesus, Tara,” Anna laughed. “Emotional much?”
“I’m pregnant as hell, okay!” the platinum-blonde squealed, and she wiped her eyes.
“How about we just dish up some dinner?” I suggested, and I reached for the bowls and started to dish them up.
“Your mother was the same way when she was pregnant with you,” Pete said, and he looked at his daughter fondly. “She was a damn roller coaster.”
“I already feel like one,” Tara sighed.
“And you’re absolutely sure you want to try and fight in this condition?” Pete asked.
“Ugh, yes, Dad,” Tara scoffed. “I told you, I’m really good at this.”
“Alright.” He shrugged.
“I am!” Tara protested.
“If you say so, pumpkin.” Pete nodded almost condescendingly.
“Alright, old man,” Tara said, and she glared at him and stood up. “Come on.”
“Come on where?” he laughed.
“We’re gonna scrap,” she said.
“Ohhhhh, no, we’re not,” he laughed.
“Yes we are,” Tara said, then she flashed him a grin. “Unless you’re too scared of getting your butt kicked.”
“Oh, now it’s on.” Pete stood up. “But don’t feel bad when I beat you. I’ll make sure to take it easy on you since you’re pregnant.”
“Um, should we be letting them do this?” Anna asked me as Tara led her father to an open area near our camp.
“I don’t see why not.” I shrugged. “Paige said she can do everything she did before she was pregnant. And besides, these hormones seem to have her wanting to fight. I’m just glad it’s not me.”
“Right,” Paige chuckled. “First Minji, and now her dad.”
“My money’s on the old guy,” Anna said.
“Nah, Tara’s got this,” Bailey laughed.
“Hey, we can hear you,” Tara said, and she glared at us.
“Oh, right, sorry,” Paige snickered.
Tara turned to her father and took a fighting stance. She shifted her body slightly to the side, planted her feet, bent her knees, and raised her hands up in a defensive position.
“Come at me,” the platinum-blonde told her father.
“And you’re sure you can handle this?” Pete asked, but Tara just made chicken noises in response, so he shrugged and took a fighting stance of his own.
Pete clearly underestimated his daughter, because his first move was to try and swat her hands down so he could go in for the pretend face shot.
Tara was quick, though, and she followed his movements so she knew exactly what he was going to do. She countered beautifully by yanking one hand downard, then bringing it back up in an arc so it was on top of the hand he used to try and swat her arms down. With her other hand, she gripped his wrist, then spun around so her back was to him. If she’d been actually fighting, she would have had him on his back just then.
“And bam,” Tara said. “I could have just flipped you over me so easily.”
“Flipped me over you?” he laughed. “You’re not strong enough for that. I’m twice your size.”
“It’s not about strength,” Tara said. “It’s getting you at the right angle and using your own momentum against you.”
