Ghost of you

no longer welcome

Dani

After we left his parents house, we drove a couple states from here where my dad lived, I had been more nervous about visiting him because I haven't seen him since I was eight years old, him and my mother got into a custody battle and I lived with her for ten years before I left for a college in California. We finally arrived after we took turns driving which his house was ten hours away from where Dakota's parents lived.

I slowly walked to the door while Dakota stood behind me, I knocked on the door and seen my half brother Devin open the door.

Dani: hi Devin...

Devin: Dani...?

Dani: yeah...I know this is an unexpected visit but is dad here?

Devin: yeah Phil is here, come in and I will go get him...

I walked inside after I grabbed Dakota's hand. I couldn't help but notice how the place looked the same as it did the day I was taken from here. Several minutes passed and I seen Devin walk back in with him and I couldn't help but notice that Devin kept his head turned facing away from me and I could only see one side of his face.

Phil: why did you come back Dani and who the hell is this...?

Dani: this is my husband Dakota and I wanted to come see how you were doing

Phil: you shouldn't have come back here, the court ordered is to not have contact anymore...

Dani: they threw out the no contact order when I turned eighteen dad, is Sheila here? I don't want to cause any problems...

Phil: Sheila passed away a year ago and I've been trying to find somewhere else to stay.

I looked down at the floor and let out a deep sigh when I heard Dakota tell my dad that Devin could stay with us which meant we had to move because our current house only had the two bedrooms and the kids, I wasn't sure how things would work out between Dakota and Devin and the two kids.

Phil: go pack your things Devin, you will be living with Dani and her friend.

Dani: I haven't seen Devin in years dad, can you tell me if he is allergic to anything or if he has any medical issues.

Phil: yeah. Sheila kept a list of medicines he would need and he recently had been diagnosed with depression but I haven't been able to get the money for that so...

I watched as Devin walked out of his bedroom with a three duffle bag and I assumed it was everything he owned. I had Dakota walk outside with him so he could put his bags in the trunk, I had turned around and started walking away when I felt him grab my arm, I looked over at him and seen the scared look in his eyes.

Phil: I will pretend that you never come here today Dani and I don't want you returning here after you leave.

Dani: I wish things didn't happen the way they did so many years ago but I do want to have that relationship with you again.

Phil: no Dani, you don't get it. I don't want you seeing me this way, you're not welcome here anymore and I don't want to see you again. Now get out of here and don't come back.

Dani: I will always love you dad...

I walked outside and heard the door slam behind me which made me jump before I walked to the car.

Dani: did you get everything you needed Devin?

Devin: yeah...

I quickly got in the car and shut the door, I waited for them to get in before we headed back to Vegas. The ride there was quiet except for the radio playing but I watched as Dakota turned it off and grabbed my hand.

Devin: can we stop and get something to eat? I haven't eaten in two days.

Dani: where do you want to go?

Devin: I'm not familiar with any restaurants, where do you two usually eat at?

Dakota: we usually go to this vegetarian restaurant on the Vegas strip but it's up to you kiddo.

Devin: don't call me kiddo please...

Dakota: I didn't mean anything by it... so where do you want to eat at?

Devin: the place you were talking about will be fine.

I slowly pulled into the parking lot and put the car in park before we headed inside the restaurant, I called Zak and told him where we were at and he agreed to meet us there.