Feathers Of A Bird

Chapter : Thirteen

(Listen to the music while reading for a better experience!)

"Kathy, go open the freaking door."
Mom shouted from downstairs.

I thought I should've been used to this door opening commands of mom on those certain days by then but I wasn't. It made me annoyed. Three-four days per month dad visited us- visited me, mom would always shout from her room downstairs to open the door WITH the intention to make dad hear it as well.

I walked out of my room and closed the door gently. Taking a deep breath, I tried to lighten my heart and fill it with some pieces of joy for dad visiting. Walking down the stairs quickly, I opened the front door and there dad was. With a big smile from one cheek to another, he held both of his hands upholding bags filled with snacks and books.
"Hola, cheesecake!"
He grinned.

"Hello, chicken-burger!"
I replied as I hugged him.

He put the bags down and clasped me tightly.
"How's things going, Kathy?"

"Nice enough."

"Something wrong?"

"No."
I let off the hug and grabbed his hand.
"But there's stuff I want to talk about!"

He laughed.
"Gotcha!"

"Wanna go to my room, dad?"
I asked.

"Yeah. Who's here by the way?"

"Oh, it's Grace and her mom."

"Ah, Grace! Such a bright girl! Where are they? Or are they all mad at me as well as your mother?"
He chuckled.

I sighed as I pointed at mom's room.
"Don't ask me. Jessica, my beloved aunty, is there. And Grace is out for a walk."

Dad peeked at me.
"Let's go upstairs."

I nodded. I knew it was the best idea to not meet them now, especially when they are together. Because they were individually dangerous, and even more dangerous together.

"Kathy."
Dad mumbled while walking up the stairs.
"There's something I would like to ask you and I desire the honest answer."

"Hmm?"

"Honey, do you feel lonely?"
He asked slowly.

I chuckled as I opened my door.
"I used to, dad. But now-"
I stopped.

"Now?"

"Umm..."
I hesitated.
"I found a good friend."

"And who's that!"
He got excited.

Laughing awkwardly, I pointed at the bed.
"Take a seat, Mr Thomas."

"Mmm-hmm, okay, miss. But tell me who it is!"

"Ah, well it's this boy named Ryan Anderson..."

Dad sat down on my bed and looked at me playfully.
"Okay. Carry on, Katherine Anderson."

It made my heart take a leap. Freaking out, I half-shouted,
"OKAY, DON'T. Why the heck out of the whole freaking universe would you say that!?"

He laughed out loud and his warm laughter filled my brain. It felt awfully good having dad over again on a wintery afternoon and chatting with him with no uncertainty.

"Alright, alright! Carry on, Kathy girl."

"Gee, thank you."
I exhaled.
"So...yeah! We're good friends- we, like, became good friends in a pretty short time. And now, we're...yeah, good friends."