Dolphin Tale 4

Chapter [22]

"No?" Spencer looked genuinely surprised as he stared at Sawyer.

Sawyer shook his. "No. I'm pretty sure that I speak for my mother, too. The answer is no, Dad. No ifs, no buts—just no. Besides, the only reason you live in Washington is because of your wife whom you supposedly broke up with over the phone. Did you actually break up with her?"

"Of course I did," Spencer scoffed. "Why would I lie to you?"

Sawyer just glared at his father. "I'm sure there are many reasons as to why you would lie to us. For now, the answer is no, but if you're lucky—and I highly doubt that you will be—my answer may change later on. Ask me when your week with us is over, okay? Just be patient—if you even have any."

"My patience is as good as yours, Sawyer."

Sawyer raised an eyebrow. "Really? Then you must have extremely low levels of patience."

Spencer Nelson frowned. "Really? You have pretty good patience last time I checked."

"Which was," Sawyer paused for a moment to think, "how many years ago? Seven, eight? I've lost count. And, it also depends on the context. Yes, my patience is extremely high when it comes to people like my mother and Lacie here. But, my patience towards you, Dad, is extremely low, or even possibly non-existent. Anyway, I'm sure Lacie would like to go home, now." He grasped Lacie's hand tightly and pulled her towards the door.

"Where are you going?"

Sawyer didn't even bother to turn and face his dad. "I'm walking Lacie home. Is there a problem with that?"

"Yes, Sawyer, there is. I'm your father, and therefore, I reserve the right to monitor everything you do while you are in my presence and under my roof. It's late, and as far as I'm concerned, your curfew is still eight. It's almost eight, and you don't want to break curfew, do you? I'm sure Lacie can find her own way home."

Lacie squeezed Sawyer's hand gently. She sighed and looked into Sawyer's eyes. "Your dad's right, Sawyer. Perhaps I should just go home myself. I'll be fine."

Sawyer jerked his head sharply. "No. Technically, you are not my father anymore, and this technically doesn't count as your roof; you're not the one who is paying the bills. And that curfew was from ages ago, do you honestly expect me to follow it? I'm walking Lacie home and that is that."

Spencer Nelson bristled. "How dare you speak to your father like that, Sawyer—"

"You are not my father. Do me a favor and remember that, will you? You are not, and will never ever be my father again. Is that clear?" Without waiting for a reply, Sawyer opened the front door, tugged Lacie outside and slammed it shut.

Lacie sighed and placed a gentle hand on Sawyer's forearm. "Sawyer, you really don't have to—"

"I want to, and I will, okay?" Sawyer snapped.

Lacie winced at his ferocious tone; it seemed to bite her like the chilly breeze that whipped her hair into a miniature storm. "Okay..."

Sawyer released Lacie's hand. Lacie watched as his hand fell limply by his side.

"I'm sorry, Lacie. I should apologise for everything."

Lacie frowned. "What do you need to apologise for? You haven't done anything remotely wrong, have you?"

"I feel like I should apologise for my father's behavior. He's been really unwelcoming towards you, and I think that that is just unfair. You, Lacie, are such a sweet, honest, kind and caring young lady. I am truly lucky to know you."

Lacie smiled, brushing a thin tendril of auburn hair out of her eyes. "And I, you. But, honestly, I don't care about what your father thinks of me—he's not actually your father, anyway. Why should I care about what he says? He's just another insignificant other. You, on the other hand, are my significant other. I don't care what he thinks about me. I really dont care what he says about me. Words are just words, and words that attempt to put me down will never have a major impact on me. I've grown up to be resilient; I just push everything that attempts to stop me in my tracks away. It's a useful strategy. But, honestly, I only really care about what my significant other thinks about me. That significant other, right at this very moment in time, is you. You are my significant other, Sawyer."

Sawyer bit his lip, unsure of what to say. "You really have to stop flattering me, Lacie. It's unnerving for someone to be able to flatter me like you do. If you keep this up, I'll be flatter than a pancake by sunrise."

Lacie laughed lightly. "You're funny, Sawyer. But I have to tell you something."

Sawyer continued to bite his lip. "What do you have to tell me?"

"Oh, don't sound so nervous," Lacie said, "it's something you already know. Something you should already know, at least. I think I've told you a few times, and even if I haven't, someone of your cleverness would have been able to see it, anyway."

"Right... I think I know what you're going to say."

Lacie reached out for Sawyer's hand and grasped it tightly. She spun him around so that they were facing each other. Her other hand grasped his other. "I love you, Sawyer."

Sawyer eyed Lacie wearily. "I am well aware of thatl. Is there anything else you'd like to say?"

Lacie frowned. "Do you not feel the same way towards me? Do you not love me back?"

Sawyer sighed. "Love isn't something that you instantaneously feel towards someone. I mean, yes, there is something like love at first sight—that's how I fell for Hazel—but it isn't something that you give or take freely. Yes, you feel obliged to love your family because that is the norm. But, love, as in to love someone enough to, well, you know, is more delicate and...intricate. Love is like fire, Lacie, and it should be handled as such. I'm sorry to have disappointed you, Lacie, but the fire that is kindled within my heart is not one towards you. Maybe in the future, yes, but not right now. I'm sorry—"

Lacie leant forward and kissed Sawyer to shut him up. Sawyer's heart raced and blood gushed through his veins. This was a feeling that he enjoyed, yet it didn't seem right. There was something wrong with this feeling. He pushed Lacie away gently and offered her an apologetic look. "Sorry, but I stand by what I said before. The kindled flame within my heart is not towards you."

"Who is it kindled towards, then?" Lacie already knew the answer, but she wanted confirmation from Sawyer.

"Hazel."