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“Thank you for letting arbage and walked over to hug her father

“Yeah, I’ht, so Happy Birthday—officially” He e “I’m sure you knohat that means”

“What?” She leaned back and narrowed her eyes

“Since it is officially your birthday…” He grabbed her by the wrist

“No!” She laughed as he walked her to the couch and bent her over the edge

“Birthday spanking time!” His hand came down on her jeans

“Stop it!” She shook her head and tried to fight as she continued to laugh

Birthday spankings were a bit of a tradition in the Vance household I had been present for a nue of the couch or her father’s knee She playfully fought back until she had twenty-one and one to grow on before they both stood up Mr Vance was actually laughing, which he didn’t seelared at him while

she pretended to bethe back of her jeans like he had actually hurt her I had always been jealous of Madison’s relationship with her father I never got hugs or anything rese affection from my father Usually it was just a silent nod if he was pleased with so I did

“Okay, I’m tired” Madison stretched her arht, Charley? It’s late”

“Yeah, I guess so” It definitely sounded better than walking ho my parents still awake

Madison walked upstairs and I decided to start picking up a little bit I knew that I was going to wake up with a hangover and my buzz was still fresh, so I wasn’t quite as tired as Madison I walked outside and picked up a few eave it a tip and found it still had a decent a I poured e of the pool I drank it fast and feltthat point of intoxication where there was no going back I turned towards the house and took a step, but ht foot landed on a crushed cup and I lostinto the concrete and then I was underwater I foughtfro I screamed for help, but all I heard was the sound ofin the water around me

Help! Shit… HELP!

Chapter 2: Erik

All I’ve wanted to do since Madison was a little girl was keep her safe Her ascension to woirl was difficult for me to handle I was always the cool dad because I didn’t want her doing so stupid without ot out of control I knew her twenty-first birthday party wasn’t the first time she tried alcohol, and I knew some of the kids that showed up were at least a year or two underage I let my moral compass spin out of control just because I wasit at a bar somewhere Plus, I would be there, even if I was locked away in a roooing The night seemed to be a success, provided the kids made it home okay I hoped Madison told nated drivers for those that chose to get wasted