My Ninety-Nine Dads

I recalled how they were always leaving early and coming home late, their bodies covered in bloody knife scars, shouting about running into cops again today.

Thinking of how the news constantly showed criminals being arrested and thrown into prison, I couldn’t drag them into this.

When I looked up again, I tried one last time to plead.

“Ms. Jones, my dad… is all working out of town. He’s far away and can’t come.

“Can’t I just… write an apology letter? I’ll apologize and even accept disciplinary punishment. Just please don’t call them, okay?”

However, Ms. Jones only let out a mocking laugh.

“Working out of town? No wonder they raised a shameless child like you. And they can’t even come?”

“Nope!”

“Macy’s medical fees and emotional damages cost a lot of money. Can a little kid like you even afford that? Hurry up and make the call already. Stop dragging this out!”

Her face was full of contempt as she looked at me.

“How much is it? I can—” I was just about to say I could pay for it myself. After all, I still hadn’t touched the black cards my dads had given me.

That was when Daniel suddenly walked out and tossed a bank card directly to Ms. Jones.

“Ms. Jones, there’s five hundred thousand dollars in this card. Consider it a donation to the school.

“My request is simple. Get her parents here immediately to compensate us and admit guilt.

“Otherwise, I’ll call the police and charge her with intentional assault! Once she has a record, she can forget about getting into college for the rest of her life!”

The moment she saw the bank card, Ms. Jones’ eyes lit up instantly. She turned to me, her tone becoming even harsher.

“Ariel, did you hear that? This is your last chance!

“Either call your working-class parents here right now to apologize and pay up…

“Or you’ll end up with a criminal record and never get into college for the rest of your life!”

A criminal record…

Those two words stabbed straight into my brain like needles.

I couldn’t have a criminal record. If I went to jail, I wouldn’t be able to take my exams.

I still wanted to get into college, make money, and take care of my dads when they got old.

Looking at that bank card, then at Ms. Jones’ ugly, greedy face, tears instantly rushed out of my eyes.

With trembling fingers, I finally turned on my phone screen.

“Ms. Jones, please don’t call the police. I’ll… I’ll call my parents.”

…

My shaking hand tapped the very top contact named “James” in my phone.

Even though he was a mob boss, he was still the most normal out of all my dads.

I could only hope he could pretend to be an ordinary person and help me get through this.

“Beep… beep…”

The call was answered almost instantly.

James’ gentle voice came through the phone with a smile. “Ariel?”

“Dad…” I pressed my lips together before speaking. “The teacher wants you to come to school. I…”

“Come to school?” He instantly sounded excited. “Oh wow, did my girl win another award? This is the first time you’ve asked me to come and accept a certificate for you. Wait for me, I’m heading there right now!”

“No…”

My chest tightened painfully as I tried to say that wasn’t it when, suddenly, a clear gunshot rang out from the other side of the phone.

Right after that came the scream of a strange man, followed by several heavy thuds.

I froze instantly.

Then I vaguely heard a quiet voice say, “Clean it up.”

Childhood memories rushed into my mind at once.

Every time James came home, there would be blood on him, but he always lied and said it was spilled ketchup.

His breathing sounded a little uneven, but when he spoke to me again, his voice was still gentle.

“No what, sweetheart?”

The moment I thought about whether he was doing something dangerous right now and if he was hurt, my heart immediately started pounding wildly.

The words at the tip of my tongue forcibly changed into, “N… nothing. I can collect the certificate myself. You sound busy. I’m hanging up.”