Remembering Sunday

Remembering Sunday (14,15)

Chapter 14

When I found my father he was in his office and it was easy to see that he was upset.

"Dad?"

"Eve?" he said looking up from where he sat at his desk.

"I'm..." we both said at the same time. "Let me."

"No, I'm sorry. It's just... Before with my step father... When I did something he didn't want me to do...the consequences...and I know that you wouldn't do that, but that reflex to protect myself is always there. When I saw that look of disappointment on your face..." I would have kept babbling if he hadn't cut in.

"I understand and I didn't mean to scare you. I've been up since I saw you in the kitchen and if Sienna had done something like this...honestly she never would have done anything like this. I'm not trying to compare you, I'm just pointed out that I'm not used to dealing with this type of behavior.

Remember I said to come and see me if you still couldn't sleep? When you didn't come I came to check on you and before you say it. I know it's a little creepy for me to check on you with you being an adult. I know you're an adult, but I've waited so long to have you home that sometimes I just..."

"Want to make sure it's all real?" I said finishing for him.

"Yes...So when I saw an empty bed and you hadn't said anything about going out or called. I called you and I wasn't really frantic until I called around and no one knew where you were..."

"I'm sorry Dane called..."

"You had me worried sick all night because of a booty call?" I took a step back from the anger I heard in his voice, but didn't budge anymore than that. He immediately realized what was wrong and took a deep calming breath.

"He was drunk..."

"A drunk dial?" I could tell he said struggling to keep himself under control.

"Let me finish," I said frustrated. "He was drunk and the bartender asked me to come and get him before someone robbed him. I tried to think of someone else..."

"You wanted to see him again."

"No...Yes...I don't know. I didn't want to wake you guys..."

"I was already awake."

"But I... okay fair enough, at the same time I know you don't like Dane."

"I would have asked the driver to..."

"Yes because at three in the morning they are just dying to go pick up a man they don't know from a bar. Plus when Dane is drunk like that he can be difficult with people he doesn't know..."

"I bet..."

"Stop interrupting. I took him back to his hotel and made sure he got on a plane this morning," I lied...well not completely. He was probably on a plan home.

"Do you know how dangerous that was? Drunk people don't always keep their right mind."

"I know but I've been around him many times when he was like that and he functions pretty well. Just not well enough to drive home." another semi lie. Dane hadn't really ever been drunk around me. I mean sure he'd have a few, but never that much.

"This is just further proof you're my daughter," he said with a smile. "You want what you want even when it's not good for you."

"Daddy, Dane was good for me...He just...I don't know, but I'm done waiting for him. I mean I'm not going to go start dating already, but I'm not going to keep holding out hope that he did this for me. Or something. I'm going to try and move on. Besides I'm going to have to be strong for the kid right?" he stood up and walked around the desk.