The Roommate

Chapter 5

"Honey come on!" I called out. She bounded over barking. She ran through the doggy door, and I smiled as I walked in and sat down on the couch. I was taking a break from my writing, watching TV. The front door opened.
"Firecracker, I'm home!" He called out. I smiled, jumping up and jumping into his arms. He pinned me to the door, smiling as he leaned in for a kiss. "Hey baby girl, I missed you."
"I'm so happy to see you." He put me down.
"Me too. So we both know my parents want us over for Thanksgiving." He said, smiling as we walked over to the couch, sitting down.
"Right..."
"We could... invite your dad? He could stay in our spare room." I looked away. "I want to meet him at some point."
"I know."
"We've owned a house together for three months and we've been living together for seven months. And I haven't met him. And that is why I think Thanksgiving would be a good time."
"It would force him to act civil." I said and he chuckled.
"I wasn't really thinking that way but sure." I leaned into him, cuddling into him.
"I'll call him."
"Okay." I kissed his cheek and stood up, walking into the kitchen and calling my dad. His face appeared on my phone screen and he looked confused.
"Is this thing working? Can you see me?"
"Yes dad." He nodded.
"Hey Harp. It's been a while."
"I know. I was wondering if you could come visit for Thanksgiving."
"You're hosting Thanksgiving in that tiny apartment?"
"No, I don't live there anymore. I own a house now."
"Oh. Since when?"
"Three months ago. And I'm not hosting. My boyfriend's parents are."
"Boyfriend?"
"Yes dad."
"How many girlfriends has he had?"
"Just me." I wasn't technically lying.
"What's he do?"
"He is a personal trainer." He looked at me.
"You're dating a sissy boy?"
"No, he has the physic of a Greek god."
"I want to talk to this boy."
"He's outside with the dog I think." I said, trying to avoid that. Jacob looked at me.
"Harp, you're not really good at lying to me." I sighed and waved Jacob over.
"Hello sir. I'm Jacob Matthews. Firecracker, do you mind if I take the phone for a bit?" I hesitated but gave it to him, walking away. I could hear them talking but I could hear what they were talking about. But, when Thanksgiving rolled around, my father flew into town. He actually showed up a day early, showing up on our doorstep unannounced. Honey helped me greet him and I smiled as I hugged him.
"Dad, you're early?!"
"Yeah well." He looked around at the house. "Nice house."
"Thanks. I didn't have it clean, but you can watch tv while I tidy up." He nodded, walking over to the couch, Honey following him. I was cleaning up the kitchen when I heard the door open.
"Firecracker, I'm home!" He said, and I blushed and I walked over, kissing his cheek. "You okay?" This was not the normal way I greeted him, but I wouldn't be jumping into his arms in front of my father.
"He's early." His eyes got real big as he looked into the living area and I nodded.
"I'm going to go shower and change. I'll be out." I nodded. He quickly ran off, and I giggled. 15 minutes later he walked out and smiled at my father as he turned around. They shook hands. "Nice to meet you sir." My father looked him up and down.
"You're a playboy." My father was serious in tone and I choked on my drink.
"I um... used to be. But your daughter remedied that."
"No diseases?"
"No... sir." Jacob was pale.
"Okay. I'll give you a chance." Jacob nodded. "Do I make you nervous, son?"
"Um, yes?"
"That's a good thing." My father flashed a smile and hugged him. I let out a breath. "Harp, did you seriously think that I was going to kill him?"
"Yes." I said, flatly. He laughed and hugged me.
"Honey, do you want water?" Jacob said, looking at the dog who was throwing a doggy temper tantrum. She huffed and he nodded. "Okay, shush." He picked her bowl up, filling it up as my father and I sat on the couch. "Firecracker, how's your book coming?"
"Book?" My father asked, frowning. I pursed my lips. Oh boy.
"Not right now babe."
"You're writing again?" My father questioned and I nodded with a sigh. "I don't see why. It isn't lucrative." He never liked that I wanted to be a writer. And Jacob didn't know that.
"I enjoy it. And neither was going into the marines." I said, and he scoffed in response. "But you did it anyway."
"I fought for your freedom. That's a little different than writing a book."
"Don't belittle me." I said. "I can do what I want with myself. Jacob supports my writing. He thinks it's great."
"Supports you financially." My father snorted. Jacob sat beside me.
"No. Emotionally. He hasn't put a cent into my writing. I don't want him to. I have money in savings that I've put into it. Now if it doesn't take off, I'll get a job. But if it does I will have that to bounce off of. When I was living in Clearview, I worked at an investment firm. I may have only been a secretary, but I picked up a few things. I've made a couple investments of my own and I make money there."
"Sir, she's a good writer. I believe her work will take off." My father scoffed.
"Whatever." I stood up, seething. But I forced myself to walk out of the room. I ended up locking myself in the bathroom, and a few moments later, I heard a knock on the door.
"Go away!" I said, sniffling.
"Baby, open the door."
"No!" I sobbed.
"Open the door. Or I will climb through the window." Jacob said. I opened the door and he came in, pulling me into a hug. He sat me on the counter, petting my hair as he hugged me tight. I sobbed into his chest. "Easy baby girl. It's okay. He's one person. It doesn't matter what he says. As long as you're happy. We are going to get through this. And you will be a famous writer. And you will have a bunch of books everywhere." I cried for what felt like hours. "Come on baby. Wrap your legs." I did so, knowing the stupid direction this was going. "Come on baby girl." He spun in a circle and I couldn't help but laugh. "Weeeeeee!"
"You're dumb." He smiled.
"It made you smile. I'll go make dinner." I gave him a look. "I have gotten better at cooking."
"Okay."
"Why don't I run a bath for you?" He said, putting me down. He grabbed a bath bomb, peeling it for me. "Bubble bath, bath bomb, whatever you need. I can get the candles." I nodded. "Okay. Go get your clothes and everything, and I will run your bath."