The Mentally Brave

Chapter 14

"Dad!" My eyes go wide seeing him sitting at our kitchen by my mum's side "What are you doing here?" I am standing at the entrance feeling confused and awkward.

"What happen to your face?" My mum seems shocked with the way I look, my dad not so much.

"It's nothing mum" I say stopping her from getting up and tending to me. I am still watching him.

"Come Liz, come join us" he pulls out the chair on his left for me to sit. I try to read his thoughts but they're blank, I try my mum, it's like she is in a shock and confused just as me for why my father decided after so many years to pay us a visit.

"Come Liz sit down" My dad gestures to the chair, I take slow steps towards them, trying to buy some time to figure out what is going on.

"Where is Nat?" I ask

"She went out" My mum has a tense smile on her face.

I hold on to the back of the chair but I don't sit down.

'Come on baby, sit down' I can hear my dad think. Just as I pull out the chair for me to sit, Natalie runs into the house and stops just where I stood a few moments ago.

"Liz!" She says eyes wide. I turn and shift over to her so I can give her a hug.

As I hug her I read her mind yelling at me 'Liz you must get out of here he is Company X- Get out' I let go of her and stare into her eyes with alarm.

I am not sure what to do. Should I just turn and run out? Should I sit down and see what he has to say?

'Sit down already' I can hear my dad getting aggravated.

"I'm just going to change and I'll be right back" I say, attempting a smile that came out weak.

"Sit down god damn it!" He bangs down on the table. That makes my mum, sister and I flinch. I take Natalie's hand in mine and we take a seat.

"There is something I need to share with you" He starts in a calmer tone.

"I'm not sure I feel like listening to you" I say, deciding I don't owe this man a single thing, after he walked out on us, and especially if he works for the company.

"Elizabeth, I understand you're upset with me, but you need to understand"

"No you need to understand" I cut in "You just upped and left! Leaving us three to fend for ourselves, you have no idea how hard it was for us but we managed! So who are you to come back here now and demand me to give you the time of day?"

My mum and sister are looking down at the table, not knowing what to do with themselves.

"Liz, you don't understand" He tries saying

"I understand very well, you think you hiding your thoughts from me is enough to keep me outside the loop? Well news flash to you dad" I get up to my feet.

"What loop?" My mum asks finally understanding there is probably a different reason for why my dad is here, not the one he let her think.

"Dad you know why my face is like this don't you?" I fold my arms.

"If you just come with me they can help" He says trying his best to seem at ease.

"How? They will beat me up some more? Use me as a lab rat? Maybe just put a bullet through my head like your friend tried yesterday" I am trying to keep my tears at bay, not to show him how hurt I am finding out he works for the company all along.

"You almost got shot at?" My mum is gobsmacked, her and Natalie both watching me with fearful eyes.

"Do you want to tell mum about your friends at company X? or should I?"