Forever Never

Chapter Nineteen | Like Father, Like Daughter

Leroy

Waking up to a text that says I'm hired full time was now in my top five of ways to start the day, and even better was waking up to my first check since starting to work full time. I could finally contribute more with the rent and bills and not feel like I'm leeching off Axe. Another bonus of not working delivery was I no longer had to work through weekends.

Before Fabrizia I had no idea bosses could ever actually pay their workers fair and livable wages which had me vowing to do the same when I had a successful business of my own.

Axe was in the kitchen cooking breakfast when I finally came out my room and it smelled too good. "Is that just for you or?" I asked, stretching my neck from the counter to see what she was stirring on the stove.

"I can't finish all this myself so nah," she said.

"Never thought I'd see the day where you'd be cooking," I said teasingly and was met with an unamused cold glance. "When are you finally gonna stop icing me out?"

"Don't know what you're talking about."

"Come on, Axe. We're both grown. Talk to me," I sighed and her gaze got harsher and yet simultaneously distant.

"You keep trying my nerve." she shook her head as she was back to staring down at the pot. Her whole demeanor, her movements were so eerie and unnervingly slow. Like a sloth.

"So you're just not gone tell me why you got a problem with me lately?"

She paused her stirring and sighed before slowly moving the pot to a cold spot on the stove. "If you can't even understand what about the way you talk to me bothers me, then there's no point in me telling you cuz you'll just get defensive and deny it. And I don't wanna get into anything this early without exploding so let's just... not."

Not much Axe did could normally get on my nerves, but sometimes her childishness would get to me. There were times I could see so clearly how her and dad were similar. Like their tendency to give the cold shoulder after the slightest disagreement. Mom was never like that, she always wanted to talk things out and I loved that about her.

"God you're just like dad. You say you're grown and an adult, but you know that entails acting adult-like and talking shit out instead of pouting and ignoring people right?"

She laughed humorlessly. "Fuck you," she said and that irked me some more. "You do not get to say that to me. You know what your problem is?"

"I'd love to know."

She faced me entirely and something flickered in her eyes. In that moment she looked like she was channeling mom and that... thing to her vibe that always struck fear in us growing up.

"When you look at me, you see a child and treat me accordingly. But you forget I'm not twelve anymore. You're so fucking condescending and make me feel like I don't know what I'm doing or what I want. Wake up, Leroy! I'm a grown woman."

I scoffed. "You certainly don't act like it."

She spread her arms in frustration and looked all rigid and cartoonish almost. "Use your damn eyes and look around you. All of this? I did that. Me. And it really really bothers you cuz you can't accept the fact that I've built a life for myself that you've always wanted cuz you still see me as this pathetic helpless kid that can't do shit for herself. I'm tired of you taking out your frustrations about your own failures on me." she finished, fists clenched.

Silence settled in the air as we glared at each other. I clenched my own jaw and contemplated cussing her out. This was what she really thought of me? A failure? All that bullshit about us against the world and her always having my back no questions asked was just empty words? I might as well have went back to live with my folks since clearly there was no difference.

I decided to keep quiet and left the kitchen instead. At least now I knew how she really felt and one thing was certain after this, I desperately needed my own place and soon.

***

I couldn't put my finger on it but something about the Alchemist was a little too relatable. Something about Santiago and his whole journey felt personal. I'd been so immersed in the listening and reading along with the audiobook that I forgot what time it was. It was almost 8 pm and dark outside.

I sat up and just then my phone vibrated on the nightstand and it was a text from Ty. But when I clicked on it, it was gone.

Did you send something?

Shit yeah

But then I deleted cuz I didn't wanna bother you

Sorry

You didn't bother me

What was it?

Nvm don't worry about it

Well now I am worried

You okay Ty?

I watched as the three dots appeared and reappeared again and again without seeing anything new be sent. I got up and closed my door shut before calling her. To my surprise the line connected after a few signals.

"Hey," I said.

"Hey," she replied with a voice that sounded empty.

"What's going on?"

It went silent on the other end for a moment before a silent, weak sigh left Ty's mouth. "I'm in the hospital with Tim and-" she paused and my worry spiked. "He's fine, by the way. Shouldn't have paused there like that." she hurried to add.

"And are you okay?" I asked and the silence returned. Then I heard the slightest of sniffles.

"Why are you always the only one asking that question?" she said, but it wasn't much of a question. The mushiness in her voice tugged at my heartstrings. "I'll be okay. But I need help with something and I should be asking my friends really but..."

Her voice was steadier now. She didn't have to say it for me to understand she meant Axe, even though they were back on good terms again. Not even I would tell her something right about now. Especially not about anything Tim related.

"Just say the word and you got it." I told her.

"You sure?"

"Yeah I got you."

"I have to stay for a few more hours here with Tim. Can't bring myself to leave. But I also have my baby all alone and hungry at home."

"I'll keep her company til you return." I said and she thanked me.

I threw on a hoodie before heading out. Ty stayed on the phone and told me where her spare key was hidden so I could get into the apartment. Daisy was already sitting by the entrance to the living room when I came in. I put Ty on speaker so she could hear her voice and she seemed much more relaxed and let me pet her.

The call ended once Ty had talked me through about feeding Daisy and it was just her and I left. I sat down the rug with my back leaning against the couch and just watched as she tore up that bowl where I'd poured her food in.

"You must've been starving huh," I said, slowly stroking her on the head the way I'd observed Ty do.

Ty talked about a game Daisy loved to play after she ate. It was her own little hide and seek, but with her toy rat that I would hide and she'd go find it. And I had to give props at how she seemed to know this apartment as if she drew the blueprints herself.

It didn't matter where I hid it, she'd find it regardless and come running back to me and throw it in my lap for me to hide again. Eventually I got tired and sat down in the living room again but Daisy was eager to keep playing.

When I couldn't bring myself to get up and hide the rat anymore she gave up and contented herself with chewing and tearing it up instead.