A few months had passed and I was super happy. Joe and I traveled all the time together and also went to see Joelle a few times. Joe had even met my mom when we were in my hometown of Miami for Raw. They hit it off and I loved it.
I was walking back to the hotel from the store a few blocks down. It was at night and Joe wanted to come with me but I insisted that he didn't. I was perfectly fine to go alone. I actually wanted to go alone.
When I was about to the hotel, I was stopped. "Katie."
I looked up and saw my father. I instantly got scared. "What are you doing here?" I asked.
"Don't be afraid. I'm not gonna hurt you or do anything else. I just wanna talk." he said.
"Why?" I asked.
"I know I've been a horrible father and I can't ever take back what I did to you. I don't even know why I did it. I don't remember doing anything. I never told you this but I used to be heavy into drugs. When you were born it got worse and as the years went on, I forgot a lot. I blacked out a lot. I'm so sorry for everything I've done to hurt you. If you could find it in your heart to give me another chance, I promise you, I'll make it all up to you." he said.
"Why should I believe you?" I asked.
"Because I honestly do love you. You're my little girl. I never meant to hurt you." He looked like he was about to cry.
"I don't know what to say right now. You hurt me more than I thought I could ever be hurt by anyone. You were supposed to be my father. You were supposed to protect me from the things that could hurt me not be the thing that hurt me. I was destroyed after that. I was a mess and I will be damned if I let you come back and do it again." I said.
"I know. I won't. I swear to you, I won't ever do anything to hurt you again."
"I'm sorry, I just don't know if I can believe you. I just need some time." I said.
"Okay. If time is what you need then you have it. You take all the time you need. But I just need you to know one thing." he said.
"What's that?"
"I'm dying. I have cancer. Lung cancer. If you don't ever wanna give me that second chance, I'll deal with it but I'd really like it if you would. I guess, I'll talk to you later." he said. He walked away leaving me there. My father has cancer and he begged for a second chance. It all seemed very suspicious.
I walked into the hotel making sure that my father wasn't playing a prank on me and was going to attack me from behind.
When I got up to the room, I walked in and leaned back against the door.
"Katie? What's wrong?" Joe asked.
"I saw my father." I said.
"What?" he asked angrily.
"He stopped me outside the hotel and he asked for a second chance."
"What did you say?"
"I said that I didn't think I could believe him. He said he was sorry and that he wanted to make it all up to me. He said he was on drugs for most of my life. He also said that he has lung cancer. What am I supposed to do with that Joe?" I asked.
"Do you think he could be telling you the truth?" he asked.
"I don't know. It all seems very suspicious but what if he is telling the truth? What then? Do I just forget everything and forgive him? Do I give him a second chance? Do I learn to love him?"
"Babe, I'm afraid these are questions I can't answer. The only person who can, is you."
I sighed and thought for a few minutes. I knew what I had to do. I knew who I had to call.
***
"Hello?"
"Hey. I'm sorry it's late. I just need to talk to you." I said.
"It's okay baby girl. What's going on?"
"I saw him tonight. My father. He said he has cancer and that he wants to make everything up to me." I paused. "I don't know whether I believe him uncle John. I'm not sure what to do." I said.
"I'm not sure. If my brother was to come to me and tell me all of that and ask for a second chance to make things right, I think I would give it to him because no matter what I do or where I go or how hard I wish he wasn't, he's always gonna be my brother." he said.
"Yeah." I said.
"Listen, I know what he did to you and I know it hurt you but maybe he's telling the truth. I can't tell you what to do. I can only tell you this. No matter what you decide, I will support you. I promise."
"I think I know what I have to do. I know many people aren't gonna like it but I think I need to find out if he really is telling the truth. I think I need to find out for myself." I said.
"Yeah. You probably should. Just don't let your guard down until you know for sure what his intentions are." he said.
"Thank you." I said.
"Let me know if you need anything else baby girl. I'm gonna head to bed. I love you."
"I love you too uncle John. Goodnight." I said.
I hung up with him and looked at Joe. He had a look of concern on his face and to be honest, I didn't blame him. I'm just as concerned and just as suspicious about it.
"I wish you didn't have to do this." he said.
"I know. Me either. I wish he would have just stayed out of my life but I need to do this. But before I do, I need to put a plan in motion. Can you call Jon?" I asked.
