Finding home

Chapter 1: Reunion

Everything about the red door in front of me screamed that I didn't belong, yet here I was. I haven't seen my dad since he walked out on us all those years ago, leaving me and my mother to fend for ourselves. He never wrote, never came to visit and I got used to it after a while but it still hurt.
After that, my mother became a self absorbed bitch, who changed guys like socks on winter days. That's one of the many reasons I decided that living with the man I once knew as my dad was a lot better than living with her.
I tightened my hands around the straps of my green bag, straightening my back I took a deep breath and rang the door bell.
There was a long pause before a man with snow white hair opened the door, smiling brightly at me. I recognised his bright green eyes but that was about it.
"My God... Lisa, how... You changed so much.. "
I shrugged, not wanting to say anything inappropriate. We staredt at eachother and seconds dragged on before either of us said anything.
"Can I come in? I'm a bit beat." I looked up at him, breaking the silence.
He motioned for me to come in and I was immediately shocked at all the pictures of me and him covering all of the walls. I expected everything, from him having a drug addiction to this house being a brothel but what I didn't expect was that he would even remember.
" I've thought about you every day, baby girl." He said as if he read my mind. I didn't know what to say, so I just smiled at him, hoping he didn't see how much this has affected me.
"Come on, I'll show you your room. My boy, Travis, and me painted it blue.... it used to be your favourite colour."
I felt all the colour drain from my face. His boy? He has a son?
"You have a son?" I whispered, hoping he would hear.
His eyes widened in shock. " No. God, no. Travis helps me in the shop, he's like a son to me but he's not my kid."
I let out a breath I didn't know I was holding and felt the tension ease a bit.
The room was indeed my favourite colour. There were empty shelves, a king sized bed, a balcony and even an en suit bathroom. This seriously wasn't what I expected, I thought for the second time today.
He watched me with a nervous but a hopeful expression.
"This is really great." I turned to him, smiling. His expression turned soft, easing the nervousness away a bit.
I have never seen this side of him. It was like looking at a different person, and I look forward to getting to know him.
"I'll go get the rest of your bags. You make yourself at home." He went for the door.
"No need. This is all I have." I cleared my throat, feeling embarassed. This was all I managed to pack since my mother threw all of my stuff away the day before.
"Right. We can go shopping tomorrow, if you'd like. Well get ya some new stuff and whatnot." He smiled. "I'll let you rest. The food is in the fridge. I have to get to the shop." He turned away, smiling at me for the last time before closing the door behind him.
I took a quick shower, put my hair in a messy bun and headed for the bed. I felt the exhaustion hit every bone and muscle in my body. Today was nothing like I expected. The man who used to scare me, who abandoned me and made me question love was not the same man who welcomed me with open arms just hours ago.
I slowly drifted off to sleep, oblivious of what was yet to come.