Dart and Dash - Mary Smith Page 0,2

sister.

“Hey, Dart,” she gave me a small smile, as she pushed her dyed, fire engine red hair out of her face. Her eyes were not as golden as Daisy’s, but they were a beautiful shade of brown. “Great to see you.”

I nodded and started to introduce her to Dash, but their father cut me off.

“Girl, the boys will help set up the furniture, but there are a few rules.” His voice was stern, as he crossed his arms, and stared down Garnet. “You will come home with a college degree. You will not fail, get pregnant, or get a drug or a drinking problem. On top of that, you will listen to Daisy. Do you understand that Garnet Marie?”

Garnet pushed her hand through her hair again and rolled her eyes. “Got it, Daddy.”

“I’m not playing, little girl,” he barked at her. “I will not have a repeat of your summer. I could have made you stay in North Carolina. Do. We. Understand?” Mr. Bowlings pointed at her with every word.

“Daddy, it was just one little joint and a case of beer. I think there are Congressmen who’ve done worse than that.” Garnet put her hands on her hips.

I could see that he was about to unleash his fury on her, but Daisy jumped in between them. “Daddy, I’ve got it. Nothing is going to happen. You have my word.”

“Yeah, you have her word.” Garnet mimicked, in catty tone.

Daisy cut her an evil look, and then turned back to her father. “I promise there will be no repeat of this summer.”

Mr. Bowlings looked between the girls then nodded. I could still sense his anger at Garnet’s comments. I had spent the summer with the Bowlings, helping him with his real estate company, and I had seen everything that happened with Garnet.

‘Wild child’ was putting it mild. She spent the whole time drinking, doing drugs, and was with a different guy every week. Her father thought he was losing his mind because of her behavior. I tried to help and explained she might be acting out over the death of their mother.

Daisy and Garnet’s mother had died the year before. It was a long battle of cancer, and Mrs. Bowlings had been the rock of the family, and it hit them hard when she finally passed. Soon after that, Garnet hit the rebel streak. Daisy did her best to help, but several hundred miles away, there wasn’t much she could do. That was why she’d gone back this past summer: to help. I was glad I had gone with her, because I knew she would need me, too.

I had asked Dash to come with me, but he’d already planned to help a few football camps for kids. He might be a man-whore, but he has a good heart. I knew it, but others didn’t have a clue.

Finally, their Dad left, and he still looked unhappy with Garnet. I felt bad for her, but I knew she wasn’t as bad as he thought.

“Garnet, you shouldn’t be so hard on Dad,” Daisy ordered.

Again, Garnet rolled her eyes, and then flipped her hair off her shoulder. “Could we please finish unpacking, and get my room organized before school starts on Monday?”

“First,” I pointed over to Dash. “I want to introduce to my brother.”

“Oh, thank God,” she held her chest in relief. “I thought I was still drunk and seeing double.”

“Garnet,” Daisy scolded her as Dash chuckled. “Don’t encourage her.” She pointed her manicured nail at Dash.

“Okay, okay,” I tried to get everyone back on track. “Let’s head upstairs.” I grabbed Daisy’s hand away from my brother’s face and pushed Garnet’s shoulder toward the stairs. Thankfully, they all followed my lead.

At the very top of the stairs was the bathroom, which glowed pink. When I caught a quick glance, I saw that everything in there was a different shade of pink.

“Let’s start in Garnet’s room and then mine.” Daisy delegated.

We walked to the room that was left of the bathroom. There were several boxes sitting in the middle of the room. On top was a stack of clothes on hangers. The bed and mattresses leaned against the far wall. A dresser and a small desk were against the other wall.

However, one thing held my focus: the colors of the walls. A deep purple with a black swirl overlays, it all matched the thick, plush, black carpet.

“Dart,” Garnet snapped her fingers in front of my face. “You okay?”

“Yep, just admiring the,” I waved my hands in front