Broken Embrace

Chapter 5

The next morning I got up feeling drained, as if someone had sucked out all the energy and emotion out of me.

As I got dressed I looked at my phone to see no missed calls from Megan and noticed the time- Shoot! It was 9:22 I was late to school, I'm never late!

I ran downstairs to the kitchen to grab a banana to give me energy for the marathon ahead of me seeing as Megan was my ride. Instead I walked in to see my dad by the frying pan making my favorite blueberry pancakes and Karen sitting at the island opposite him.

"Good morning sweetie!" My dad said joyfully as he noticed my presence.

"Good morning, what's going on?" I asked surprised by the sight in front of me.

"Dylan told me about your conversation with him yesterday and I suggested that you should have a day off so that we can catch up," Karen replied giving me a motherly smile. Guess they were close then.

"Oh okay, but I've never done this before, you know the whole skipping school. I'm not so sure it's a good idea," I answered truthfully. "And didn't Megan show up or something it's very unlike her not to call me," Megan always, always forced me to go to school even if I had a temperature because according to Megan education is more important than being sick.

"Ah, don't worry honey. I answered her call and told her that you're not feeling too good and that she should inform your teachers." My dad said, placing two pancakes on a plate and handing it to me.

After I finished breakfast, we all decided to go to the beach. The beach was only a ten minute drive from our house and the weather was amazing today.

When we got to the beach my dad offered to go buy some ice cream while Karen and I set up the blanket on the sand.

"So, are you going to tell me what's up or should I leave you to deal with it?" Karen asked as we sat on the blanket.

"How do you know that something's wrong?" I asked her confused because I didn't show my emotions in public and I was sure that I could hide them well.

"Your mom used to have that same facial expression when something was wrong or worrying her," she replied with a smile, making me smile.

"I'm alright it's just that I got a little emotional yesterday. I'm fine, really," I told her not wanting to talk about this because that meant that I had to tell her how I felt which I wasn't any good at.

"Look, I know that I haven't been around much and maybe you've learnt to deal with things by yourself, but you know that I'm always here if you want to talk or even if you just need someone to hear you out, I'm just a phone call or a short trip across the street away," Karen said taking hold of my hand, making sure that my attention was fully focused on her.

"Okay," I said taking a deep breath. "I don't know how to put this nicely because I know he's your son and all but I still hate him for leaving me the way he did, even though I know now that it's not his fault I'm still mad at him, he really hurt me when he left. I don't know if that makes me selfish but I just need time I guess and I know that it's a lot to ask but I'd really appreciate it if you didn't tell him who I am, because as far as he knows I'm just 'Lily- the school clown'," I blurted out before realizing what I had said.

"Firstly you are not selfish and of course I understand, it's important for you to deal with this in your own way. All I'm going to say is that even though you think that he's changed into this inconsiderate and tough guy, you should get to know him again and you'll see that he hasn't changed that much," she replied in a caring voice and all I could do was nod.

My dad returned with the ice cream and after we finished it we just spent the day sun bathing and talking. It was nice feeling like a family again for the first time in a long time.