Kiss at Twilight

Chapter Three - Dad

I jolt awake when I feel the plane bounce against the tarmac, deathwish by Stand Atlantic blasting in my ears.

Ripping the headphones out I disconnect them and slip them into my purse.

I don't know why but I have the strangest feeling. Like when you wake up from a nightmare. My heart beating fast. Palms sweaty.

Shaking myself out of my stupor. I start gathering my things.

I'm feeling pretty nervous now. Knowing I'll see my dad soon. I haven't seen him since I was 12. He stopped coming around or asking me to visit around that time. I'm not really sure why.

*
I'm walking to baggage claim when I see him.

He looks a little different than I remember, but that's definitely my dad. 6'2, built sturdy. His hair salt and pepper now, and he's grown a beard.

I used to call him my giant teddy bear. Fitting, since his name is Teddy.

I feel a pang in my chest. Wondering again why we grew apart. Hoping this plan to live with him is the right choice.

Maybe we can get back to the way we used to be.

I can see him scanning the baggage claim area looking for me. I hope he can recognize me. He doesn't have any social media. So my only hope is maybe my mom sent him an updated picture of me recently.

Not a second later he makes eye contact and I can see the flash of recognition and he breaks out into a huge grin and starts walking towards me. I smile in response, because I really did miss him. He's my dad after all.

He reaches me and immediately pulls me in for a bone crushing hug I wasn't expecting. I groan and let out a light laugh. "Dad, I..I can't..breath"

He lets go and leans back looking me over. "My God you've grown up Bi." I can see a bit of sadness in his eyes I wasn't expecting.

"Yea that's normally how it works dad." I say with a soft smile on my lips.

"I wish I'd been there to see it." At the confusion I'm sure is written all over my face he turns to the baggage carousel. "You grabbed your bag?"

Ignoring that statement for now. I start watching the carousel for my bag. Spotting it just about to go around the corner. I rush forward, snatching it and pulling the handle. I head back over to my dad and we start making our way outside to his car.

*
The whole way to his house he's peppering me with questions. Trying to get to know the older me. Versus the child he remembers.

He's still asking questions when we pull into the driveway to the house.

I look up and see the two story cabin style home from my childhood. A deep mahogany brown, surrounded by nothing but trees and mountains.

It's just as I remember it.

"Let's go Bibi. I have a small surprise for you." My dad says, using one of my nicknames from when I was a little. I feel another small pang in my chest.

*
We walk up the front porch steps and go inside the front door leading into the living room. Again, looking just as I remember. Brown leather couch, lazy boy chair. Although he's upgraded the tv to a flat screen.

He ushers me up the stairs and down the hall to the left. My room is at the very end of the hall. He stands in front of the door. A bashful smile. He opens the door and steps aside.

I gasp, taking a step in.

It's my ultimate dream room. Bookshelves lining the right side of the wall. Big comfy queen size bed, black comforter. Desk directly across from the bed. Semi new looking desktop computer. My old sitting window has been revamped. Old pink cushion replaced with a black and white striped one. Sheer black curtains hanging from either side. Walls a deep charcoal grey.

I turn back to my dad, shocked by how much effort he put into this.

"Dad, this is amazing. It's everything I could have asked for. I can't believe you did all this by yourself!"

He looks down at his feet, rubbing the back of his neck. "Well not ALL by myself. I had some help from Billy, and his son Jacob. You remember Billy and Jacob right?"

I have a fuzzy memory of a boy I used to play with during the summers when I would visit.

"I think so, we used to play together right?"

"Yep you did, y'all were inseparable. Even got pretend married once" my dad says chuckling.

"Oh wow, I haven't thought about him in forever. Maybe I'll see him at school tomorrow and we can catch up"

"Well now that you mention it, I actually asked him to give you ride to school tomorrow. I have to be at the station early in the morning and your car won't get here until the end of the week. Your mom is having it sent with the rest of your stuff. That okay?"

"Of course dad, I totally understand. It will be nice to see him again."

"Well, I guess I should let you get settled and get some rest. We'll have dinner together tomorrow when I get home from the station. Anything you want and we'll catch up some more. I'm really happy you decided to come stay, I've missed you Bibi"

With that he closes my bedroom door and I hear him retreat to his bedroom.

After I finish unpacking everything in my suitcases I take a quick shower in the attached en suite. Washing away the long day and collapse onto my new bed.

I already slept a lot on the plane but the day has been exhausting. I can feel sleep tugging me under already.