Does He Do It Like I Do It

Chapter Twelve

I tied the strap of my white open toes shoes around my ankle and then walked to my floor-length mirror inside my walk-in closet to check how I looked. It was finally New Year's Eve, which was wrapping up my Christmas break from school. I hadn't seen Jodeci since that day on Naheim's porch but I hadn't reached out to her either. I didn't know what to say to her. She caught me in a lie and had the situation with Kahli not happened she would've had an opportunity to chew my ass out about it. I never lied to her before so it's not like we had a chance to discuss boundaries about that. Lying could be a deal-breaker for her and she can decide to no longer be friends with me. Which I guess I deserved. It was a stupid lie and I should've just told her the truth. 

"Are you almost ready, Roxanne?" I heard my dad's voice say from what sounded like the hallway. I walked back into my room just as he crossed the threshold. He was fixing his bowtie I assume so that it was more comfortable around his neck. Some colleagues of his were hosting a New Year's party and of course, once he told my mom about it she insisted we go so we could make a good impression. However, they still didn't seem to be speaking much to each other so I was unsure of how the night was going to go. I've seen them fake the funk in front of people before, but they have never been this bad. I was honestly starting to worry about the security of their relationship. 

"Yeah, Dad, I'm good to go."

He looked at me and smiled at me sweetly.

"You look beautiful, Snookie."

"Thanks. Is mom ready?"

The mentioning of my mother seemed to dissolve the small little moment I felt we were having. 

"She's downstairs waiting in the car already."

I chuckled. "Since when is she ready before me?"

"Since she decided to get ready for the party somewhere else."

It felt like my heart had sunk into my chest. "Mom ... she isn't cheating on you is she?"

He shook his head. "Honestly, your guess is as good as mine. But you don't have to worry about things like that."

"Why wouldn't I be? If you two decided to suddenly get a divorce I'm pretty sure that would affect me in some way, shape, or form."

"Who mentioned anything about a divorce?"

"It's implied by the constant arguing you two have been doing since we moved here."

He sighed and leaned up against the doorframe. He ran his hand down his now grown-out beard and then looked at me with seriousness in his eyes. 

"I love your mother more than anything in this world, Roxanne. For what seems like forever, she's only ever come second to you. I've chosen her over many job offers. I've chosen her over many advances from other women. Lately, however, it doesn't seem I am getting the same in return. I don't know what ... or who it is that is distracting your mother from our family but I promise that we will stick together through it all."

I knew my father was just trying to reassure me but his attempt failed greatly. He and I both knew at this point there had to be someone else involved in my mother's life. All of my life I've always watched my father cater to my mom. To think there could ever be someone out there that could make her jeopardize all of that is insane. 

"I hear you, Dad."

"Good. Now let's go pretend we're some snobby, rich citizens for the sake of your mother's imaginary reputation."

I smiled but on the inside, I was panicking. That feeling lingered within me the entire ride to the party that was being held at some banquet room across town. The valet grabbed the keys from my father as we all piled out of the car and into the building. There was a live band playing some "upbeat and uppity" type of music that made me roll my eyes. There were people scattered about in their own conversations, and some sat down enjoying champagne that was being passed around by waiters. I watched as my parents instantly fell into a routine of fake smiles and greeting people they knew they would never see again. They put on a good display; even I was almost convinced they were completely happy. My father even snuck a small kiss on my mother's cheek that she pretended made her blush. I'd never seen my parents be so plastic and the more I looked at it, the more pissed I became. I huffed off towards the back of the banquet hall to the restrooms. I pushed the revolving door hard, almost hitting someone in the face who was coming out at the same time I was going in. They looked offended and I didn't give enough of a shit to apologize. My heels echoed off the walls as I walked over to the sinks and looked at myself in the mirror. I took a deep breath, knowing I wasn't going to be able to make it through this night if I didn't calm my nerves. The door swung open again and I looked into the mirror's reflection of what looked to be Kym. She noticed me and snickered. I turned around quickly and placed my clutch bag on the counter by the sink.