With A Cherry On Top

Chapter Forty-eight: Either a necklace or a bomb.

Song: Love Again by Dua Lipa

Chapter Forty-eight: Either a necklace or a bomb.

"I can explain."

"That's what I asked you to do."

I was quiet for a while, thinking of what to say. Maybe I can't actually explain.

Shane spoke up, "Char, is there something you're not telling us?"

"Where's Mom?" Shayna bit out.

"Please calm down, so I can think and I can talk."

"First question. Whose house is this?"

"Let's not start with questions. Let me say everything from the start."

"Go ahead."

I settled back in the seat. "Dad came back two and a half months ago."

"How dare he show his face back here after what he did?!" Shane growled.

Well, I understood his anger. Mom had told me that no matter how hard she tried to keep Shayna out of the house, there were still sometimes she was home to witness Dad's recklessness and I guess she told Shane.

Well, they're twins. That's one person split in two.

I don't think-.

"And this is his house."

Shane started out of the kitchen.

"Where are you going?"

He turned. "To get my things and leave!"

"You can't go."

"I'm over 18. I'm an adult. I'm pretty sure I can do what I want."

"Would you just listen?"

"Listen to what?" Shane growled. "You trying to defend the man who beat our mother?!"

Shayna winced at his harshness, but Shane continued. "The man who cheated on her? The man who left us?"

Well if you put it like that.

I ran to him and grabbed his hand, "Shane, listen to me. Let me finish and if you decide to still leave the house after I'm done, then I'd let you go."

"Better idea. Why don't I stay and he goes?"

I creased my brows. "Because it's his house."

"Well, he has to pay someway."

"He is paying. For a lot of things. He said he'd buy a new house for us once we left here, he'd assist mom in paying all our fees. He'd pay for everything he's supposed to as a father."

"When I said pay, that's not what I meant. He can't just use money to worm his way back into our lives. Is that why you forgave him?"

"Not exactly. Aren't you tired of being angry? Aren't you ready to forgive?"

"No. I'm not." Shayna spoke up. "I'd rather live with mom."

"Mom's in Africa." I deadpanned.

Shane threw his hands up in frustration. "Great! She left us here with a useless drunk."

"Shane, that's our dad you're talking about." I sorta defended.

"He's not my dad."

"He's changed."

"Do people ever really change?"

"Yes, they do, and dad has. He's just like he was before that holiday."