Hollow

Chapter 23

I didn't know what to say. It's weird seeing him and not being mad and disgusted like I was before. I was actually, "cool" this time. I was "cool" when I saw his face.

I didn't make eye contact, I just looked away. "Why did you come here?" I asked. "Why didn't he just take us home?" I don't know why I gave him an attitude. I wasn't mad at him anymore. Well.. I didn't despise him anymore.

"Just wanted to take this chance to see you" He said letting out a deep sigh.

"You tried that already" I said. "Didn't work out well."

"You didn't really let me, Hollow."

"Dude, she did. She wanted to see you for years. She just thought that-"

"Timmy," I said. "Just, go wait in the car."

"No," He said. "Why is it that I never get to say anything!"

"Because you run your mouth too much, now go wait in the car!" I said impatiently. "I'm not going to say it again."

"What are you? My boss?" Timmy said scoffing and stomping outside.

Lonnie chuckled.

"What are you laughing for?"

"Just funny how you and the kid are together. I always wanted two kids."

I gave him a look. I really wanted to bash him about how he failed with me, but I think that would be going too far.

"Guessing they didn't tell you about my mom yet, huh? Still sticking up for her I guess... Guess I wasted my time." He started walking towards the door.

That angry-guilt feeling came over me. I didn't want him to leave again.

"They did!" I called out. "I know now... I know how you spent all that money, and I know about how she fled with me while I was a newborn... without consent, and not legally."

He stopped. "Then what's up with the 'tude?" He asked.

"You didn't seem like you cared when you met me. I feel like you don't care about me anyway."

"Look how you were treating me? I couldn't even talk to you!" I could see his anger piling up, but he took a deep breath and continued as he walked up to me. "Ever since I realized you were gone I was torn, and now that I found you that day I seen how you disliked me already, how was I supposed to show you the love you deserved all this time when you seem like you don't even want it? How was I supposed to hug you like I wanted to, and give you the affection I have been waiting to give when you were brainwashed into hating me. You can't love someone who hates you, or else it wouldn't be love."

I remembered that. For some reason when he said "You can't love someone who hates you, or else it wouldn't be love." It really stuck out at me.

"What else was I supposed to think!" I shouted.

"She told me that you never picked up the phone, sent me letters, sent money for me. She told me she was very upset with you for a long time.. Which I assumed was because you didn't care about me. She told me that you ditched me for your job, that you never had time for me so you just gave me to her.

How do you think I was supposed to feel towards you? I said. Like honestly, were you really gonna expect me showering you with hugs after not seeing you my entire life, you knew she must have made an excuse for your absence!

He took a good look at me.

"What?" I said, confused.

"You're a smart kid." He sniffled. "It's sad how I never got to see it develop, your brain."

I felt pity. I was honestly being harsh, and I hated me for it, I just learned that he cared all of this time today, I don't know why i still felt obligated to treat him bad.

"How can you still love her?" He said angrily. "I despise that witch, for everything. She took my child away from me, and turned her against me. How can you still stick up for that?!"

"It's the only love I ever got." I said. It's the only parental love I ever had, the only attention I got. It doesn't go away. I don't think it ever will." I looked down, and then back at him. "I know it's not easy to hear, because I know you have been searching for me, but you gotta understand that I really see Ma'am as my number one person for such a long period of my life. It all won't just.. Go away today."

He looked disappointed. I didn't want to lie to the guy though. I hate hiding the truth. I absolutely hate beating around the bush!

"Give me a day." He said. "Let me show you that I'm not the man she put me out like. Let me prove how interested I am in you, in being your dad. Give me one day to show you how much I missed you."

I never thought I would hear that ever come out from Lonnie's mouth. I didn't even think I would ever hear a word from his mouth in general, for years.

I felt like crying. But, I wasn't going to cry, I thought at the time. I didn't want to waste my tears on a happy moment.

I nodded while smiling.

"Sure."