The Ultimatum

“Kashi Thompson.”

Kashi wrinkled her nose as her dad addressed her from the front porch. Of course he caught her. She hadn’t been very careful this time.

“I was wondering what time you’d get back this time.” he checked his watch. “Earlier than last time.” He stood up, walking towards her.

“Daddy, come on.” She said, trying to walk past him with no avail.

He grabbed her wrist, and gently turned her to face him. “Kashi, we’ve talked about this. And I— What are you wearing?” he looked down at the outfit she’d chosen. “Kashi, I told you not to wear those shorts anymore. They don’t even cover— Girl! Get inside this instant.”

Kashi lowered her head to hide her scowl. She was nineteen, not a baby. He’d been doing this ever since she started to grow up and fill out around sixteen. But she was an adult now. She’d bought these with money she’d earned.

She kicked off her boots on the doorstep, carrying them inside the old ranch house. She grabbed an apple from the bowl on the kitchen table and jogged up the flight of stairs to her room with growing frustration.

She called Sierra. “I got caught,” she said before Sierra could say anything. “I think it was Felix. He’ll do anything to get me in trouble. What a jerk.”

“You’re lucky you only have one younger brother. I have three.” Sierra said with an emphasis on three.

“But all three of them are nothing compared to Felix.” Kashi layed back on her mattress. “Dad was more mad about my shorts than me being out late. He treats me like I’m a kid.”

“Sorry babe.” her friend responded. “I got off scott free this time. Next time I’ll drive if it helps.”

The stairs were creaking outside of Kashi’s room. “I gotta go, my dad’s coming up.”

“Kashi, can I come in?” Her dad asked with a rap of his knuckles on the door.

She was tempted to reply, I don’t know, can you? But she decided better of it. “Sure.”

Her dad pushed open the worn white door to her room, stepping onto the carpet. “Kashi, I want you to know that I love you.”

Oh great. He was going to try to guilt trip her. Kashi suppressed an eye roll. “Yeah I know. I love you too. It’s just that I’m an adult and I—”

“I know.” he held up his hand. “Just let me speak.” He sat down on the old white chair that was slightly too low for her desk. “Kashi, I feel like you’re not taking advantage of the situation you are in. Do you know how fortunate you are? There are many people who are born with next to nothing. I could afford to send you to college like your brothers.You wouldn’t pay a cent.”

“Who would do the finances? No offense dad, but they really aren’t your thing. Ever since mom passed I’ve been handling them.” Kashi responded, hugging her knees to her chest where she sat on her bed.

“Yeah— yes I know, but I’ll hire an accountant. I want you to do something bigger with your talents, Kashi.” Sensing she was about to interrupt, he raised an eyebrow. “I know you do good work, but you work for only a few hours a day. The rest of your time is spent doing God knows what with your friends. Buying revealing clothes,” he gestured to her outfit.

“None of my friends even do a few hours of work!” Kashi protested. “I missed Sam’s pool party three weeks ago because you wouldn’t let me leave the house until I finished balancing the book!”

Her father pinched the bridge of his nose and sighed. “Look, Kashi. I am not your friend’s parents. I am your parent. I want you to decide to go to college or get a full time job. I’m hiring someone to start managing the finances. You have to find something else to do.”

“Come on dad, that’s not fair!” Kashi protested.

“I want you to throw those shorts out. Your mama and I raised you better.” Her father said, standing from the chair.

“No, I bought these with money I earned.”

“Get a job or start applying to colleges.” Her dad gave her one last long look before shutting the door behind him.

Kashi leveled a heavy scowl at the door. With a huff she threw the pillow at the door. Hard. It was unfair. All of her friends got to do whatever they wanted. Some of them were going to the community college a town over, but Kashi had zero interest in earning a piece of paper. Being her father’s accountant had been nearly perfect, She did a little work, earned some cash, and got to go out with her friends. What part about accounting wasn’t a real job?

An idea dawned on her. She felt the smile creeping up her face. If her father wanted her to get a job, she would. He never said what kind of job.