As I look myself over I my mirror I can hear a loud knocking at my bedroom door. As if I could ignore it away it was only going to get louder and more obnoxious. Letting out a deep and monstrous grown and dragged myself out of my bathroom and out towards my door.

"Who is it and what in Jehovah's name do you want?!?!?" I shouted.

"It's Joey! Hurry up I have to pee!!!" He said from the other side of my door.

"Don't you have your own bathroom to spray your ick all over?" I moaned as I swung the door open.

Right on cue as if I invited him in Joey races to my bathroom and slams the door behind him.

"Ummmmm hellooooo? I didn't say you could-"

Before I could finish my thought the sound of his urine hitting the toilet and his sigh of relief shut me right up.

"Ahhhhhh. That's MUCH better." He said before the sound of the toilet flushing filled the room.

"You better wash your hands before you touch anything else in there!" I shouted with a grin on my face.

"Don't get your bloomers in a bunch Carly! I know!" Joey sassed at me.

The door came open slowly and my now 8 almost 9 year old brother strutted our like a peacock and left my room with a big cheesy smile. I followed behind him shortly after and watched as he went back down the hall and into his room.

"You're welcome!" I shouted down the hall just before he closed his door.

Kids these days will never understand the meaning of privacy! Now that I think about it.... I have a bone to pick with the old man in the metallic purple jumpsuit. And I ain't talkin' about Tony when he's getting ready to hit the gym. Not like he does much of that anyway. Wearing nothing but a pair of black biker shorts and a tank top and marched myself down the hall and before long found the two massive black double doors before me.

  "He better be in there! And he better have clothes on!" I mumbled to myself unsure of what's to come. Just as I raised my fist to band on the door it flew open with my dad standing in front of me with a sour look on his face.

  "What is it now Carlyn?!?! And why are you not dressed yet?!?!? More over.....WHAT DO YOU HAVE ON?!?!?! I did not buy you that outfit!"

  "Yeah yeah yeah save all the drama fo yo baby mama I have a bone to pick with you!" I scoffed and shoved him out of the way.

He stumbled back a little as I stepped inside and the smell of lavender tickled my nose with its overwhelming aroma. That only means one thing.

  "What's stressing you out this time? Regan won't go out with you again?" I joked as I turned on my heels to face him while crossing my arms.

Daddy closed the door and in true to Nelson form marched over to me briskly and shook his head in disgrace.

  "Carlyn Alexandra I don't know who buttered your biscuits this morning but I don't like your tone or your attitude!"

  "Yeah? Well.....I don't like that shirt! You should have never let Tony dress you this morning!"

  "I like this shirt because I had this custom made!"

  "It looks like it was MADE in the DARK!"

  "You look like an unsightly version of darling Nikki!"

I was ready to throw another insult but the. I just smiled and twirled on of my braids.

  "Awwwww! That's just the look I was going for daddy thank you!" I said to him sarcastically.

  "Carlyn!" Daddy scolded.

  "Ok ok. I'm sorry. Oh and BTdubs you buttered the biscuits this morning."

  "Little girl?"

  "Alright I'm done. I came in here to see when Joey is getting his bathroom back so he can stop using mine!"

Daddy shook his head and flopped down on his bed.

  "You know I don't have the answer to that kid."

  "Well tell Anthony's ass to get to it and stop ordering Krispy Kreme donuts online! He's knows damn well that's the southern thing! And we ain't southern!"

  "He's from Florida Carlyn. Oh and BTdubs...."

Daddy raised his right hand and pointed to the swear jar on his night table. All I could do was roll my eyes.

  "Oh for Christ sake does it look like I have pockets?!?!?" I yelled stomping my left pedicured foot.

  "You must not wanna see your ceremony in two hours do you child?" Daddy stood up and hollered at me.

  "I do but your always being so crazy with something big is going on! What's up?!?!?"

Daddy took two steps towards me and raised a finger as if he was going to give me another lecture about my attitude and how things have changed for my life in the last few years and how I should appreciate them and blah blah blah......but this time.....he didn't. He just let out a sigh and sent me on my way. He's never done that before. Usually we could clarified each other down until Christmas if we wanted to. Something's not right.

  "Daddy seriously what gives?" I asked trying to figure out if he was even going to tell me.

  "Just go get dressed. I'll see you in a bit."

  "But dad-"

  "No buts. I'm fine now go on."

He closed the door and locked it behind him.

  "You're not fine dad!" I shouted hoping he would hear me.

Just then I heard footsteps coming closer towards me.

  "Carly why aren't you ready yet? We have to get you to the school for your cap and gown!"

  "But miss Kim my dad-"

  "Don't worry about him. Miss Jenson will handle it. Now let's get you dressed and do something with these braids of yours."

Miss Kim was always at the ready when me or daddy needed a touch up. She was really on go today. I hate graduation prep. So stressful. UGH! After hours of standing in the Minnesota sun and finally getting my diploma the ceremony was over. If course dad comes with the entire band and stage crew to see me throw my cap in the air.

  "Congratulations little runt! You're finally going into the real world!" Uncle Morris said pulling me in for a hug.

  "Morris give it a rest man she's taller than you!" Uncle Dez giggled.

  "Man shut up!" He shot back.

  "Oh all of you stop it she a young woman and should be treated as such." Regan said coming to my defense.

  "Thank you! Where's my old man?" I asked.

  "He's over at the car." Uncle Andre said pointing over to the parking lot.

Pushing through the crowd I made my way to my dad who was leaning against the car in an all black suit.

  "Well? I did it. Top of the class with honors just like you wanted right?"

  "That's right." He said with a soft tone.

  "You know.....I wouldn't have gotten this far without you taking me in so.....thank you....for giving me a second chance at life. And for saving me from my crazy auntie and her psycho boyfriend. And.....for giving my real mom a final resting place. I couldn't have asked for a better man to be my dad."

I can tell he was about to burst into tears out in public so I decided to stop buttering him up and hit him with an insult.

  "You still won't get any taller though." I giggled.

  "You're one to talk! You won't either since that mouth of yours is doing all the growing!" Daddy shot back.

I hugged him tightly and really didn't want to let him go.

  "Alright now for some honesty. The reason why I've been so stressed out is because.....I knew this day was coming and I couldn't do anything to stop it."

Daddy opened his coat and reached into his pocket pulling out a white envelope.

  "I was going to shred this but Regan intervened. He said with a smile.

Handing me the envelope he let out a deep sad sigh and told me to rip that sucker open.

Anxious to see what was inside I wasted no time and did what he said. I couldn't believe what my eyes were seeing.

  "Shut. Up." I said and continued reading.

  "Shut UP!" I said a little louder.

  "Seriously SHUT UP!!!!!" I said as loud as I could with much excitement and enthusiasm.

  "Carlyn? I didn't say anything." Daddy replied confused.

  "No no not you! It's just....."

  "Yeah. I know." Daddy said sadly.

  "IM GOING TO COLLEGE!!!!!!"