Just Rosalie

Rosalie's Father

ROSALIE WASN'T IN the mood to be on the ice rink. Even with Abbi's constant whining, she sat back on a bench next to her mother.
"He's in Florida."
Kaitlyn said, while looking at her granddaughter wobble around in her skates, as she held Elizabeth's hands. Rosalie was caught off guard. She didn't realize that her mother knew his whereabouts.
"How do you know?"
Rosalie bit down on her bottom lip and fumbled with a button of her overcoat.
"He called a few days ago. Apparently, he wants to borrow money."
Kaitlyn sighed and leaned her head back. Her good-for-nothing ex-husband always found a way to be even more good-for-nothing. Rosalie furrowed her brows. Her father needed money?
"And?"
"As I said, he's not getting his grubby hands on what I've worked so hard for."
Rosalie was concerned. What did he need it for? Was it something important? Was he being hunted down by the mob? Maybe that was a far stretch, but Rosalie didn't know what to expect.
"Did he say what he needs it for?"
Kaitlyn shook her head. She didn't want to know, and didn't care to. After so many years, the only reason he'd call was to ask for money? Not to even to ask about his daughter and how she was doing?
"It didn't come up. I told him to stick it where the sun doesn't shine and hang up."
"Mum-"
"You've got a caring heart, honey. Don't get caught up in that spider web. I've learnt that the hard way." I know, mum. But he's still my father.
It wasn't as though Rosalie knew how to get in touch with him anyway. They had a mutual dislike for each other, but with everything that had happened over the years, she'd wanted her father to be there to witness it all, regardless of their differences. Did he even want to see her? He never approved of her sexuality, or her feminism. For sure he wasn't the best father. The way that he'd hurt Rosalie's mother was the main reason why they'd stayed away from each other, but time heals all wounds, doesn't it? Had Rosalie forgotten what it was like to be around him? Had she forgiven all of the reasons that she'd despised him, to begin with?
"It's been fifteen years. I've never even visited him after he moved. God, I just think about how time's slipping away and he's never even seen his grandkids." But he doesn't care to see them, honey.
Kaitlyn didn't want to hurt her daughter's feelings even more. But if Allen Decker cared, he would have contacted his daughter. He was her father after all. Of course he had to know that Rosalie had gotten married, and that she had a daughter. Rosalie's life was no secret when it came to the media, and Kaitlyn's wasn't either. Unless he lived under a rock, he had to know. If I could make him love her, I would. She pulled her daughter into her arms and kissed her cheek.
"I'll call him, okay. We'll see what it's all about and take it from there," If he's just going to be after money, I'll slit his frickin' throat, "let's join everyone on the rink?"
Rosalie nodded and wiped the tears from her eyes. Kaitlyn choked up. God, help me. When he ends up disappointing her again, I don't know what I'll do.