Work Text:
Carrie blows out a long sigh as Mr. Molina’s van pulls into the elementary school parking lot.
She considers checking her phone for the 800th time, to see if maybe she missed a message, an excuse, an apology. But there’s no point. There won’t be one.
The van rolls to a stop in front of the curb where Carrie’s been sitting since school let out, since Mami picked up Julie to take her to soccer practice and Carlos to baseball and called to Carrie through the car window, “Your dad’s on his way, sweetheart, he’s just running a little late!”
Well. “A little late” was four hours ago. Carrie already missed dance class, did tonight’s and tomorrow’s homework, and left about ten thousand messages with her dad’s assistant.
And not only did he not call her back, he’s still not here.
The driver’s side door slams open, and Ray Molina tumbles around the front of the car. “Carrie! Oh, sweetheart, I’m so sorry, I totally forgot I was supposed to pick you up today. You’ve been waiting so long, are you okay?”
If Carrie were younger, or stupider, she might have believed him. Heck, two months ago, she probably would’ve believed him.
But ever since the new year, Dad’s been acting weird. Distant and distracted. He eats dinner in his room more often than not, leaving Carrie alone with their private chef Gerta in the giant dining room of their stupid new giant mansion. He missed Carrie’s last dance recital because of a “work emergency” and she can’t even remember the last time he smiled or laughed or told her he was proud of her.
“It’s okay,” she says as she tosses her backpack into the backseat and climbs up onto her booster. “You don’t have to pretend. Was it important?”
Papi hesitates as he buckles her seat belt for her. “Was what important, hon?”
Carrie sighs. “Whatever Daddy’s doing.”
Papi sighs, caught, and gives her a sad smile and a kiss on the cheek. “He just got held up at the studio, okay? It won’t happen again.”
“That’s what he said last time.”
Ray goes quiet again, just for a moment, like he doesn’t want to lie to her but he can’t quite bring himself to tell her the whole truth either.
Finally, he says, “Your daddy loves you very much, Carebear. He’s going through a bit of a hard time right now, that happens to daddies sometimes. Doesn’t mean he loves you any less, just means he might need a little help now and again. That’s what your mami and me are for. But don’t worry, we’re not gonna let him get off scot free for making you wait so long before he called me to come pick you up. I’m sure he’s sorry.”
Carrie squirms in her seat a little. She wants to believe him, wants to believe her daddy just needs a break from everything, like she does sometimes when the world just feels like too much.
But God, it feels like whatever kind of hard time he’s having has been lasting forever.
“Tell you what,” Papi decides, patting her knee. “How about you and I stop for ice cream on the way home? We don’t even have to get any for Julie and Carlos, it’ll just be our treat.”
Carrie bites back a smile. She can’t just start feeling better that easily, she’s been grumpy too long. “Can I get a double scoop?”
“Whatever will make you happiest, nena.” Papi holds out a finger. “Deal?”
Carrie twists her own finger around his. “Deal.”