for, lover (Completed; editing)

Chapter 90

I clear my throat and stop to lift my head. "How is my name..."

"Bree, I swear just read the damn letter." Henry interrupts and pushes it at me again.

"Okay, okay. I'm sorry." I take another deep breath and start over. "Bree, how do I even start this off? I'm proud of you? Those words do it no justice.

This is a strange way for me to reach out. It was a complicated process getting through to your mom to help me get here. I did mess up really badly and as cowardice as it is to try to get through to you in a letter, it was the best way I was able to get all of my thoughts out.

The worst times I've ever experienced was the ones where I made you unhappy. You were clever in hiding it, not wanting to make me feel bad for how you were feeling. I was selfish in accepting that. It took a lot for me to sprawl all of my feelings out onto a piece of paper. I'm not even sure if people still do this anymore. It's therapeutic in a way.

Back to where I was with this, I'm so proud of you. I don't tell you enough. I'm proud of you for standing up for yourself and your feelings. I'm proud of you for working your ass off and taking pride in who you are no matter what other people may say. You were right. It isn't fair for me to assume my actions and words don't come across a certain way just because it wasn't how I intended. You were also right in not letting anyone's catty comments put you down when you have done nothing but put your future first in a way that should have no other reaction from others except respect and understanding.

I cannot apologize for anyone else but I sure as hell want you to know that I truly am sorry for making you feel any less of a successful woman. You have given me no reason to worry and no right to ever dare question your ability to become everything I had hoped you would. I wish I could take the credit for your drive and strength, but I don't need to credit me or your mother at all; it was all you.

So anyway, I guess what I really wanted to say was that I really couldn't have gotten a better daughter. Everything you're doing right now is so beyond impressive and I just hope you'll let me watch from a little closer than the sidelines of who you'll become whenever it's time. It WILL happen, by the way. You're a little impatient and hardheaded like me but you sure will blow our minds with all that you will accomplish.

I love you, kid.
Oh and congratulations...I may have pitched in a little this year but only a little because this isn't really a valuable lesson if I just apologize and hand you a prize! (I know it wouldn't make a difference to you.)
P.S. You've worked hard enough on providing yourself with everything you own. There's nothing wrong with accepting a prize every once in awhile.
-Dad."

I almost didn't make it through the last part of that without choking on my own tears I hadn't noticed were falling.

I bring my hand up to my eyes and wipe them off. "I hate being put on the spot, asshole." I laugh, smacking Henry's arm.

He shrugs and hands me another envelope. "Okay, so this is the prize. Before you fucking say anything, no we did not let you win. I really wanted to get it but I guess I'm just not as good as the coffee queen."

"Damn right." I tease and snatch it from his hand. I rip open the top and pull out another slip of paper. A check. "Wait, hold on. They said they weren't just going to do money again."

"I know but we're adults and some of us really could use it."

Rayna pops her head back over my shoulder. "$50,000? What the FUCK?" She yells.

"Woah, for real?!" Tyler shouts, jumping up from the couch to take a look.

My eyes can't even register the numbers with all of the commotion happening around me. Why in the hell would they gift the winner of a freakin' flashlight game fifty thousand dollars?

"Damn, dad really went off this year." Henry groans. "We should've tried harder, dammit!"

Sandy laughs. "We'll get them next year, baby." She ruffles his hair cuing Peyton to fake gag.

I stare blankly at the check.
What would I even do with all of this money?
Obviously keeping up on bills is the rational choice. Putting it into savings is a good option too. I'm not even too far behind to where I need to do any of that anyway. My dad knew I would hate to be gifted with that kind of sum of money and he still did it anyway, but with a really nicely written note. It just would've been much nicer to hear it in person. He can't bring himself to do it and that's all I wanted.

"We're going to miss the fireworks if we don't hurry our asses up!" Peyton rushes out the front door, followed by the rest of us.

We really lost track of time this year.
I shove the letter and check in my jacket pocket and run out after everybody else.
Everyone is already gathered in a huddle awaiting for the show to start in the street.

I push through to get over to the drink area where my mom is steady talking. She looks up past the flannel dressed man to me and smiles. "Hey kiddo! How was the game?"

"I actually won." I beam.

"Well that's good to hear because that would've been a really awkward letter." The guy sighs and turns to face me.

I should've known it was my father with how badly he was dressed.

"You're here?!" I exclaim and wrap my arms around him. He squeezes me tightly and exhales. "Yeah, I hated how we left things. I um...talked to your mom to help arrange this whole thing."

"You guys...communicated? Effectively?"

Mom chuckles, rolling her eyes. "Yes, like the mature adults we are who care about the well-being of our child. This isn't news, Breanna." She clears her throat and smiles. "Bree."

"Okay, so obviously I got new parents for the new year."

Dad grins and rests his arm on my shoulder as the first set of fireworks go off in the sky. "I meant every word. Sorry it took me so long to see it. I'm going to work harder in this relationship, alright? You deserve that."

I refuse to cry tonight so I just smile. "Thanks, dad. I will too."

"Have any idea what you're gonna do with your prize money?"

"I just got it! I've got plenty of time to think." I respond.

He laughs, placing a kiss on the top of my head. "You're right, no pressure."