2Shadow didn't really know her father. In the past 16 years of her life, she had only seen her father on her birthday and the day before Christmas. She had given up asking her mom about him long ago. He sent her letters on the other holidays, replied to her e-mails, occasionally, but whenever she had asked about his new family, he would just change the subject. She did know that he was rich, lived outside Washington DC, was a politic of some sort, and hated her mom.
When ever he came, he did the exact four things in the exact order no matter rain or shine. He arrived at their apartment at exactly eight o'clock AM, gave her a few expensive presents, usually very girls, quarreled with her mom, and left for the airport at exactly eight o'clock PM. Every time they yelled at each other, it was in the kitchen with the door closed and it was always about her.
"Julius, give it a break, she is her own person."
"No Tria. She is turning into a young lady and you need to treat her like one. Where as, you let her run around like some riff-raff lesbian."
"First off, you are not the one raising her. Secondly, she is not a lesbian; she just prefers boy clothes to girls which makes shopping much easier for your information. Thirdly, SHE IS HER OWN PERSON. I CAN'T TELL HER WHAT TO DO! AND NO MATTER HOW MUCH YOU TRY, NIETHER CAN YOU!"
"I AM HER FATHER SHE WILL DO WHAT I TELL HER. AND THAT'S FINAL!"
Shadow had just started to doze off when their came a very annoying voice.
"Ladies and gentlemen, thank you for flying our airplane. Please come fly with us again."
She had arrived in Washington DC. She grabbed her backpack from under the chair in front of her, shoved her book and CD player plus head phones in it and unbuckled her seat belt.
Getting off the plane was the usual mayhem and as she saw her father in the baggage claim area, all ready with her other suitcases and waiting by the doors for her, her un-happy attitude turned masochistic. If you were close enough and paying very close attention to her, you might have heard the 'Damn" she had muttered under breath at the sight of her father.
Her father was waiting in a clean crisp suit which made her desert camouflage pants, mahogany brown t-shirt, black shoes, and backwards hat stand out. His sharp black hair was gelled back so much that Shadow swore that no knife, sword, or hammer could break or move a single strand of hair. But his height was nothing compared to hers of him being five feet five inches and her being five feet eight inches. He looked relatively short next to her and the other man next to him that seemed to be over six feet easily.
You could say that at the sight of her appearance, it was very clear that he didn't approve of it, but that would be an understatement. She just smiled at the look on his face change from business like to furiousity to pure hatred.
"See you got my things. Who'd you pay to get them off the plane early?'
"That's none of your business, and why did you not wear that pretty little yellow dress that I had gotten you for Christmas? It goes so well with your golden hair."
The thought of having him try and complement her sent both their souls on fire, but he just wanted to show himself being a good person for he was a politic and someone might remember "one day in the airport" when he might try and pull some big new thing later on.
"I didn't wear it for tha' exact reason. If I'm on a plane flyin' from Texas to Washington DC, I'd rather wear something comfortable not 'pretty.'"
She picked up the two of the heavier and bigger suitcases, for she knew that Julius hated to strain himself what other people could do it for him
"Remembrance, why do you not let Rodger take the bags for you? They look awfully heavy."
"Because he's already carryin' one."
Julius had motioned to the man next to him and who was carrying her other suitcase and had on a butler's attire. Shadow just rolled her eyes at the sound of her middle name. He had always insisted on calling her that even though she had told him hundreds of times before to call her "Shadow" just like everyone else. She couldn't even remember all his excuses of not calling her "Shadow"; the excuses had become too many to count.
The three of them walked up to a black, stretch limo and Rodger opened the trunk and peacefully laid the suitcase he was carrying in, whereas Shadow just kind of tossed her two in so that they lay in there and the lid could close, but wasn't very organized.
Before Rodger could get the door for her, she just opened it, and hoped right in with Julius coming in behind her. Julius let Rodger do his job and close the door for him.
"Remembrance, Rodger is paid to do things for us. Let him do his job."
"What's wrong with the way I do things, Julius?"
"Father, call me Father. Your ways are different. This family and it's servants are in a habit of a very secure schedule. I do not want you to throw a loop in the way things have been long before you have been alive."
He had ignored her input of "Slaves" she had muttered under her breath when he had said "Servants."
"I don't know you Ju-li-us. And me just being here will 'throw a loop in things' Why don't you tell me about me about your new family since I'm gonna unwillingly be apart of it now."
"A child with your stature should not use slang nor contractions."
"I dun really care. If it means that much to ya, throw me out an' send me back to Dallas."
She was purposefully trying to piss him off so he would send her back. She noticed his face turning a light shade of crimson. Her plane was working somewhat.
"I have two boys. One is older than you by a year, the other is just turning six. The older one is Henry and the younger on is Julius Junior. We call him Junior for short. You may call my wife Mother or Mary, but anything inappropriate will be heavily disciplined. There are a stables on the grounds. I understand that you enjoy horse. You may help out at the stables, but you may not get in the way. You may wear decent clothing during the day, but at dinner you will wear nice dressed up clothing. You will keep your room and bathroom that is connecting clean enough for the maids to come in and straighten up a bit. Breakfast is at seven AM sharp and you are to wear your day clothing or you will eat in the kitchen. Lunch is whenever you go to the kitchen after eleven and before two. Dinner is at six PM, and do not be late unless you have a liable excuse. Remembrance are you listening to me?"