There's Always Second Chances

Chapter 38

"Right," I muttered pacing around. Today's the first day seeing my biological Dad in years. I was nervous and scared but most of all I still had years of anger built up. I didn't know how today was going to go. I know I needed the closure, to finally close that chapter of my life. It was definitely a shock since it was so close after Mum's wedding. 

Delicate arms wrapped themselves around my waist. "Are you going to go? You don't have to." murmured Natasha. She was very understanding. I relished in her touch, so calming. I had to go. I needed to otherwise I will never end up going. Like Mum said he's supposedly changed. He's gone to rehab. He's established a life with his new girlfriend. I think I should give him a chance. 

"I should, I'll never do it otherwise," I remarked turning to face Natasha. Her eyes conveyed all the worry that she felt. I was worried too. The last time I saw him, he said that he'd kill me the next time we saw each other. I was constantly looking over my shoulder waiting for him to pop up and start some sort of trouble. Thankfully he didn't but I did find myself in a different sort of trouble. 

Natasha pressed kisses to my chest. "I know you don't like your Dad and I can tell from what you told me, I don't like him either." Natasha spoke softly. Her words were slightly muffled into my
t-shirt but I heard her clearly. I pressed a lingering kiss to her forehead as I thought for a moment. "How about you take Naomi over to my Mum's. I'll call you if anything goes awry." I remarked. I tried to think about the safest place for Naomi and Nat. I didn't want to drag them into a mess that I knew wouldn't just stop with me. 

"Please don't go," Naomi cried running into the room. I sank down to my knees and embraced her in a tight hug. "I'm not going to go for long, I'll be right back I promise," I cooed. Naomi pouted, her green eyes shimmering with tears. I hooked my pinky finger with hers. "I pinky promise I'll come home later," I promised Naomi. She narrowed her eyes at me. 

"Cross my heart," I said earnestly. That seemed to do the trick as Naomi wandered off towards her pile of toys. I stood up to face Natasha, pressing my forehead against hers. "Be safe," Nat stated, it was almost a command. One I'd willingly follow no matter who had asked me that. For Nat to say that, meant she was scared. With one last kiss, I started my way over to my Dad's. 

I seemed to be way to aware of each breath I took as I stood outside the house. It looked dilapidated. The windows were boarded up, trash littered the front garden and there was definitely signs that this house had been neglected. I looked down at the paper in my hand, checking that the address was correct. I was saddened to see that it was. 

Stuffing the paper in my pocket, I tried to console myself. Appearances can be deceiving. I knocked on the door and I heard scurrying around. "Adam?" I questioned. I hoped it was him. The door opened with a loud bang, parts of the ceiling crumbled down in small flakes. He really did live in the worst conditions possible. 

"Adrian!" Dad, rather, Adam cheered. I tensed up as soon as I smelt the alcohol on his breath. Nothing ended up pleasant when he'd been drinking. "Come in, come in," he said as he stepped aside. I walked in against my own better judgement and looked around at the surroundings. The floor littered with broken glass and empty bottles didn't exactly scream come in to me. 

I caught a glimpse of two small children cowering at the top of the stairs. From a short glimpse, I could tell they were malnourished and scared. Something that my siblings and I were when Adam was still with Mum. He wasn't earning money back then and he refused to let Mum go and get a job. We relied on money from his friends and from my grandparents. I looked away from the children and walked into the living room. I was careful to avoid knocking the bottles on the floor that were still half full. 

"Make yourself at home, you want a drink son?" Adam asked already lounging on the only recliner chair. He brought one of the beer bottles to his mouth and swigged. I wanted to snap at him to not call me son. I wasn't his son. Not anymore. He gave up his right as my Father when he abused Mum. "I don't drink. So I'll have a water," I muttered through gritted teeth. Already I just wanted to leave. I didn't see the point of this if he's already drunk.