Exposure

EX:36

Chapter 36

Owen's Perspective

"Whatever past you came from, you don't have to go back."-Chanel Miller

•••••••

        THE constant sound of loud barking distracted me from reading through a few documents. I sat down the few papers in my hand on the edge of the coffee table. After a long day at work and a stressful chat with Faith, I needed to relax and chill out, but there were still a few things I needed to get done. Although my new promotion wasn't as manual as being a mechanic, there were still so many other responsibilities I had to do in a limited amount of time.

I sat in my living room with a loose tie around my neck and an unbuttoned shirt scratching my head in frustration while Jody continued making noise.

"Aye man be quiet," I commanded in an aggravated tone.

Luckily he sat down on the floor pouting before putting his head down.

       There was a quiet knock at my front door making me wonder who it could've been. I wasn't expecting anybody, but people had been popping up at my place all day today. I stood up from the couch walking over to the front door as Jody began barking reassuring me that I actually did hear a knock.

When I opened the front door the last person who I had expected to see stood before me.

"Tiana?"

         Her eyes were red and puffy as she kept her hands warm in the pockets of her dark sweater. She said nothing looking back and forth at me and inside the apartment. I assumed that was her way of asking me if she could come in or not. I stepped aside and allowed her to enter the apartment. She said no words walking over to the living room couch while I closed and locked the front door.

Usually, I would've asked her more questions regarding her presence at my place this time of the night but the look on her face told me that she was in no mood to talk.

I sat down next to her on the couch laying back as her eyes remained trained on the floor.

She was starting to scare me. Earlier today she was avoiding me in every way possible and now she was sitting in my living room with a traumatized yet angry look on her face.

"Uh, do you need me to call Ally?" I asked not knowing what else to say.

We weren't together at the moment and to avoid asking any intense questions I went with the first thought that came to mind.

She said nothing. I figured I'd give her some time to sit in her thoughts, so I headed into the kitchen to fix her a glass of water.

Before I could fully make my way into the kitchen she spoke up.

"I met Donny today."

       Her voice was very monotone as the words fell from her mouth so casually. She spoke as if it wasn't a big deal, but the way that she truly felt was written all over her face. I had now understood the reason for her weird demeanor and quietness.

"What?"

Tiana hardly ever brought up her father and if she did there was never anything positive to say. Not to mention she knew barely anything about the man.

I wanted to tread lightly because this was a touchy topic. I could tell she needed a listening ear right now not advice or another opinion but just, someone to vent to.