Playing Dad

7. A Little Sympathy

(Tristy POV)

     I woke up again. I haven’t got much sleep since my dad died, well and stressing from learning he wasn’t my birth father, and being here. I just want to be home and have my mother and Henry. I started to cry a little. I haven’t cried since the funeral, but I haven’t really had the time to be alone. I sat up tossing the covers back and wiped my eyes on the sleeve of my shirt. I took a few deep breaths and stepped to the bathroom. The light hurt my eyes. I squinted and looked in the mirror; of course this made me cry more. I looked pitiful and felt horrible. My stomach made a growling noise. I felt like I hadn’t eaten in days; which that Samantha girl really needs to work on her cooking skills. Half of my food went in the trash. Maybe I can sneak and find something better in the kitchen.

(Billie POV)

     I sat stirring my cereal thinking of how my life has changed. Ever since my divorce got finalized two weeks ago I’ve been doing this same routine every night of waking up and eating. Even if I eat good before bed. Man Samantha’s food tasted like shit. Tre better get her better at cooking if she’s going to be around longer. I heard a light sniffling noise and looked up to see Tristy making her way in the Kitchen. She looked like she had been crying. “You ok?” I felt really bad for her. I know how it is to lose one parent, but to lose both and find out the man you grew up to being your father really isn’t. that’s harsh. She just nodded. I knew she really wasn’t. “Want to talk about it?” She put a piece of bread in the toaster.

“I don’t know.”

“Come on, you can trust me. I won’t say anything that you don’t want me to. I promise.” I looked at her sincere. I could hardly see her face with the little light from the table. Her toast popped up and she sat beside me. I turned on another little candle bulb from the center piece. “You’ve been crying.” now I really felt bad. She slowly chewed on her toast and sniffled.

“I just miss my family.”

“I know.”

“It’s so hard and so much to deal with. I’ve never been more stressed out in my life.” She said. It sounded like a knot was in her throat. I put my hand on her back and rubbed it a little.

“I know sweetie. I’m really sorry this has happened to you. You really don’t deserve it. Just bad things happen to good people.” She nodded and then covered her face with her toast free hand. I knew she was crying again. I pushed my chair back and moved closer wrapping her in a hug. Surprisingly she pulled on my shirt at my chest and cried into me. Maybe that’s all she really needs is just for someone to give her a hug. Tre’s always in his own world to actually see that, then again this whole “dad” thing is new to him. “It’ll be ok I promise.”

“How can you be so sure?” I heard her muffle. I grabbed the toast from her hand. The crumbs were falling in my shirt. I laid it on the table and held her again.

“Because silly you can’t possibly have more bad luck… It can only go up from here.” I tried to lighten the mood. She chuckled a bit but still cried.

“I don’t even know where to start.” I thought a moment.

“How about after practice tomorrow, you sit with Tre and you guys just talk. Just have a conversation and try. Start off with telling him about your mom.” I could tell she stopped crying but I felt her wiping her eyes.

“What if he doesn’t take the talk serious? What if he can’t sit still and acts like a three year old?”

“Well it might be a little tough but, I’ll be there if you want me to, to make sure he doesn’t get off track or act silly.” She pushed away from me and looked at me. “So?”

“Yeah.” She sniffled. “I guess that would be a start.” She wiped her nose and I pulled my arms from her. I rubbed the hair from her face.

“You ok now?” She smiled slightly and nodded. “Good.” I smiled. “Now finish eating and go to bed, you have a big day tomorrow.” I smiled. She smiled and picked up what was left of the toast.

“Yes sir.” I knew she was just being sarcastic. “You know, I guess you’re tolerable.”

“I’m not that bad huh?” I smiled to her. She looked at me with a straight face.

“You’re tolerable.” I smiled.

“Ok I’ll take it.” She smiled a little.

“So, you seem to know more about being a dad, where’s your kids?” she asked before biting into her snack.  

“I actually don’t have any.”

“Really? Kinda hard to believe. I mean you were married.” I smiled a little.

“Yeah I uh.” I cleared my throat. “I thought I was a dad… turned out the little rascal wasn’t mine.”

“I’m sorry it didn’t work out, but I wasn’t Henry’s and he still loved me as his own.”

“That’s different. She got pregnant while still with me, so she cheated. Plus it wouldn’t have worked out because even after I found out, she still visited that guy.”

“Oh… I’m sorry.” I brushed my hand.

“No it’s fine.” She nodded and then swiped the crumbs off the table as she chewed her last bite.

“I guess I’m off to bed.” She stood and pushed her chair in. “Don’t stay up to late. I need you bright eye’d and bushy tailed for tomorrow. I can’t have you falling asleep in the middle of conversing.” I smiled.

“I won’t. Good night Tristy.”

“Goodnight.” She stepped away. I really didn’t want her to leave yet, it was nice to actually have some meaningful conversation with someone. Not saying Tre’s stupid or anything but talk about Unicorns and elves can get tiring.

(Tristy’s POV)

     I made it to my room. Billie can be quite sweet I guess. It’s nice to talk to someone with at least half a brain. I got under the covers. Man I wonder what this Mike character’s going to be like. Hopes going toward high intelligence.