Thousands of Miles

Chapter Two

Hello!
Alright chapter two...let's see how this goes! Again if you have any suggestions or comments please leave a comment, I would love to hear what you have to say! Ignore any weird mistakes please and try to enjoy!
-Claire

"Alison," my dad called from downstairs, "dinner is ready!" Glad to take a break from my stupid plant growth homework from jiggly Jacobs, I went to go eat. Cool ranch Doritos at the beach definitely did not fill me up. When I got downstairs, laid before me at my spot on the dinner table was a bowl of spaghetti.

"Thanks dad." I said smiling as I sat down in the grey, cushioned seat. He sat down across from me at our little table, just for us.

"So, how was school today sweetie?"

"Fine." I replied, blushing at the nickname sweetie. "How was work?"

"Tiring. And speaking of work, I need to tell you something, important." Great. Every time dad said he needed to tell me something "important", it usually means he has to go away for a few weeks for a surgery. I dropped my fork noisily in my dish and looked up at his eyes through his thick rimmed glasses. He must have figured I would be upset, because he ran his hands through his messy light brown hair, and his deep blue eyes looked pained as he met my gaze. I definitely got most of his features.

"Look, Al. I know you don't like it when I have to go away, but it's a serious case. A young boy is having up to 12 seizures a day and I-"

"Dad. It's ok. I don't need to know everything about this boy, but I get your job is important. Don't worry about me." I interrupted, forcing a weak smile. That didn't seem to help his disappointment for leaving again. I sighed and twirled more noodles on my fork. It was so quiet in the room that the only thing I could hear was our chewing.

"How long will you be gone?" I asked to break the silence.

"Two weeks." He replied. "Possibly longer if anything goes wrong, but mostly likely just two."

"Okay." Then it was back to silence. I quickly ate the rest of my noodles, rinsed my bowl in the sink, and hopped up the stairs, skipping one as I went. Once I got to my room and shut the door, I flopped onto my bed and sighed. Great. I'm sooo excited for another two weeks where I get to live alone, without the company of my dad. He's the only one here for me, while Mom is away in Wisconsin with her husband Todd. I've only visited three times, and every time I ended up clashing with Todd because he thinks he can act like my dad. Mom left when I was nine, and I've been living with Dad in California ever since. I haven't even thought about living with Mom either, since she always takes Todd's side. I rolled over on my bed and grabbed my phone. Missed call from Joel, read the screen. Crap. I dialed his number and counted the rings on the other line. Three.

"Hey babe." I could just picture his smile.

"Hi," I said as I rolled onto my back. "What's up?"

"Doing my plant homework. What comes first when caring for plants, watering, or giving it plant food? What in the world is plant food? Is this even real stuff?"

"I think you're asking the wrong person these questions. Ask jiggly Jacobs on Monday, apparently he is very educated about plant growth." A loud laugh appeared.

"That was hilarious! Mr. Jacobs's face was so red! Yours was too because you were holding in that laugh. Oh classic jiggly. Getting worked up over nothing." Chuckled Joel.

"Yeah." I breathed. "Classic." I sighed again, feeling my still damp hair from the beach. Joel must have noticed I was upset. His voice suddenly got serious.

"What's wrong Al?" I waited a few seconds to answer.

"My dad is leaving soon for another surgery. He'll be gone for two weeks."

"Oh Al, that sucks. Where is he going?"

"I don't know yet, I didn't get many details. I kinda just left the conversation." I said sourly. Joel sighed.

"I'll keep you company baby. Don't worry." Joel spoke cheerfully, I could tell that smile was back.

"Okay." I whispered. "I've gotta go finish my plant homework." I said louder.

"Mmmk baby, I'll call ya tomorrow."

"Ok, bye Joel."

"Bye Al." Silence. I sat up and tossed my phone onto the end of my bed, then flopped back down. Then there was a soft knock on my door.

"Alison," my dad peeked in the door, "are you willing to talk?"

"Sure." I said bluntly. Dad sighed.

"I-I um, I need you to understand that my job is important. I kn-"

"Dad!" I interrupted, raising my voice. "I get your job is important okay? I know you have to go to try to save this boy's life, I just hate it when you leave!" His eyebrows furrowed.

"I know. I hate leaving too." He said sadly. "I'm glad you understand." I nodded, and started picking at my fuzzy pillow, trying to hide the tears pooling in my eyes.

"Details?" I asked quietly.

"Oh, yeah. I'll be going to Houston, Texas. I'm leaving next week Wednesday."

"Wow that soon." I sighed.

"Yeah. I know I should have told you sooner, I only found out the details I just told you today."

"Okay Dad, thanks for telling me. I have to finish my homework now"

"Right. I'll be downstairs if you need me."

•   •   •

I woke with my head on my desk, and my plant homework stuck to my cheek. Crap. My clock read 9:00 pm. I peeled the sheet of paper off my cheek and checked it over, and thank the lord I was done. After I put all of my stuff away, I strolled over to my bed and grabbed my phone. I was surprised to see a text from Mom.

"Hello, Alison. Todd and I were wondering if you would like to visit us sometime soon?" You and Todd? Or just you?

"No" I texted back. I know it seems rude and blunt, but I really, really don't. Mom left, so why does she still want to see me? It's her fault for ruining our relationship. I plugged in my phone, changed into sweatpants and a t-shirt, and went to go say goodnight to Dad. As I walked down the stairs, I heard him talking, probably on a work phone call.

"Okay, so a week for prep, yep, okay sounds good Dr. Callahan. Okay, see you next Thursday." I tiptoed down the stairs and peeked around the corner. I saw Dad running his hands through his hair again. He must be really stressed out.

"Hey Dad, you okay?" He whirled around in surprise.

"Wha- oh hi Al, yeah. I'm just stressed out."

"Yeah I figured." I padded over and sat on the couch next to him. "Can I help out at all?"

"You are helping me enough by understanding why I have to leave, and I can't even express how grateful I am to have you." Dad said softly.

I blushed. "Thanks dad." I responded with a smile stuck on my face. "I'm gonna go to bed, goodnight." I said as I planted a kiss on his cheek.

"Goodnight sweetie." As I walked up the stairs, a small smile still on my face, i thought about how lucky I am to have the life I have. I know it sucks not to have my mom, but I don't need her, I have a great dad that does more for me than Mom and Todd over could do. My dad is my rock, and I can't imagine life without him. I fell asleep thinking about how much I love my dad, my friends, my boyfriend, and California. I wouldn't want anything to change.