Only You

Chapter 22

The end of January is approaching and nothing had really changed. I had decided to not confront my father, mostly out of fear. But as he walked in and out of the house my mother had made a home my rage grew. He didn't deserve to get away with any of it. I tried to stay away from him as much as possible, not trusting my ability to rein in this new anger.

It is on the odd Sunday afternoon that I don't have a shift at Martha's that I hear the doorbell ring. I frown. My father hasn't been home for a few days now, so who would be at the house? I wander downstairs and approach the front door, opening it curiously.

Standing in the doorway, his bulk and height blocking out most of the scenery behind him, is none other than Declan. His posture portrayed a certain level of awkwardness and unsureness. I frown again, and look at him questioningly.

"Declan, what are you doing here?" I say quietly. He glares and tilts his head towards the porch swing. We head over to sit and in my case freeze in the February breezes

"I didn't tell them about your father," he says measuring my reaction. By them I assume he means Lily and the others. I nod my head slowly, confusion and selfishly relief setting in.

"Why?" I say softly, looking down at my hands clasped together in my lap. He chuckles without humor and shrugs his shoulders.

"I didn't think they needed to grieve again, once is enough for anybody," he say looking at my profile intensely. I frown slightly,

"They were her friends too. You don't think they have the right to the truth. Why do you get to decide?" He laughs again, it was beginning to get on my nerves.

"Didn't you make that choice for me?" He questions, the intensity in his eyes growing. I freeze, blood rushing to my face in a deep blush.

"Did I make the wrong decision?" I question, my voice sounding small. Silence is the only thing that follows. The wind rushes through the bare trees and I shiver slightly, staring down at my fingers. The cast is still on, but there's an appointment next week to finally be rid of it. I close my eyes and take a deep breath, refusing to look at the broken heart I've shattered next to me.

"I don't know" Declan says evenly, tonelessly. I nod my head, wiping any emotion from my body, save for my trembling fingers.

"I think it best if we stop pretending like there's any relationship salvageable and go our separate ways. You don't deserve to look at me and see a constant reminder of your sisters death, and who is responsible. My father is a dangerous man, and while I don't think he knows of your relation, I don't ever want him finding out." I say softly, slowly turning away from him.

He snorts and looks at me, "so he's just going to get away with it and you're going to let it happen. You're going to sleep in a house with a murderer and never hold him responsible." I gasp softly, knowing that my fear and selfishness will never allow me to do anything to hold my father accountable.

"I'm sorry" I say as I stand up and cross my arms over my chest. "I'm sorry that I have done the very thing you feared I would do, and you deserve so much more than to have me in your life." I start to walk back towards the front door. I hear the creek of the swing as he also moves to get up and traps my hand. He turns me around and walks forward until my back hits the front of the house. His eyes are angry, cold and unforgiving. A slow sarcastic smirk spreads out and he chuckles softly, shaking his head. He lets go of my hand and and reaches up to rub his eyes in what is maybe exasperation. I wince, sinking further into the woodwork behind me, my hands trembling slightly. He frowns at me and then takes a step back, laughing incredulously.

"Do you think I'm going to hurt you," he asks softly standing up taller. I shake my head 'no' desperately, trying to hide my bodies obvious anxiety. "Do you really think low enough of me that I can't see the difference between a fathers choices and a daughters." He says giving me an indifferent stare.