Psychotic Kids '-' Eli Moskowitz

Progress

I sat in my apartment by myself. Hawk hadn’t tried to contact me, which was just as well because I needed a break. I wanted to go see Miguel, but my motorbike was almost out of gas and I didn’t wanna risk getting stuck. I sat on the couch, watching some random t.v show and trying not to cry when the front door swung open. It was my dad.

“Oh- hey kid… Where’s Hawk?”

I sighed, grabbing a notebook and quickly writing down ‘He’s not here right now’. I showed it to my dad and he nodded.

“Ah, okay...” he set the notebook down, sitting beside me on the couch “Harles listen I… I’ve never been, good at talking, you know that. But now that, you can’t interrupt me...” he smirked, making me smile a little bit “I was a shitty father” he sighed 

“To you, and to Robby, but- I mean, obviously mostly to you. I thought, I was doing everything right, by making you strong and tough… I was wrong. I know I hurt you kid” he held a hand over his face- is he… crying? “You’re such an incredible young girl, and I- I can’t believe it. I got to share my life with this amazing kid, and I spent most of it wasted and passed out. I-”

Dad took a deep breath, covering his eyes and hunching over himself. I gave him a sad look, god I didn’t know my dad had this much emotion inside of him. I gently rubbed his back, when he finally pulled his hand away from his face his eyes were red and his cheeks were wet.

“Harley I’m so sorry” he mumbled “You didn’t deserve this… You were sent through hell and you still turned out incredible. I- I wish I could take credit, but I know I can’t… I’m just- I’m so-”

I leaned forwards, wrapping my arms around my dad as tight as possible, he wrapped his arms around me so tight I thought he might crush me. I sniffed back my own tears, dad sobbed into my shoulder. We both needed this, and god did I need to hear it. We had had a rocky past, there’s no denying that… But we could make it work. We just had to try, and it looks like dad was really ready this time.

“Love y- you...” I wheezed, ignoring the sting in my chest

“I love you too kid” dad nodded

He pulled me tight up against his chest, it was like hugging Robby, but with bigger arms, and a weird smell, but it was all comforting. I didn’t realize how comforting it actually was.

“Hey… I was uh-” my dad whipped his face off, trying to act normal again. I smiled softly, I knew it wouldn’t last forever but… emotional baby steps “You uh- ya wanna go see Miguel?”

I smiled, nodding my head quickly. Dad smiled back at me, standing up and pulling me with him. He handed me my jacket and we both got into the car and headed off to the hospital.

~~

Luckily neither of us had to forego any serious injury to get into the hospital. Dad kept an arm wrapped around my shoulder as we walked, and I enjoyed the closeness, but holy shit does this man need a shower. We reached Miguel’s room in due time, he was struggling to reach his phone that was on the small little bed table. He sighed, turning his head to see us

“What are you doing here?” he questioned

“Want the phone?” Dad asked

“... yes” Miguel sighed

I figured dad would just give it to him, but instead he moved the rolling table even further away from the bed. I gave him a look, what on earth is he doing?

“Go get it” he told Miguel

I elbowed my dad in the side, but he just waved me off, keeping his focus on Miguel and the situation. I will never understand my dad.