Exhale

Chapter 8: I'm Sorry Peep

February 27, 11.:49 am

The Walters Residence

Roman

I leaned right, dodging his punch. I swing my left hand hard, smashing it against his face. He stumbles back and advances, making me continue. He goes for a left, but I move out of the way, punching him in the face again. I broke his nose.

I was going to hit him again, but decided not to. I've already done enough today. So I walk away, pushing him down and not saying anything else.

"Roman, what the hell!!" Zuri yells.

"You broke his nose, Ro," Marley adds.

"Yeah...he wants to talk to you." I don't know what else to say. I think I scared them. They're both so pale. I should apologize.

"Mars...I'm-."

"You better not say sorry. He's a grown man; he shouldn't have come at you."

"I'm an adult too; my actions shouldn't be excluded."

"Stop it. I'm not going to get mad if you were defending yourself and me."

I look down at my bruised fist. I thought I was done fighting and that I'd left that part of myself back home. I can't slip up like that again.

Zuri



This entire situation took a turn for the worse. Maybe we should leave Roman, who keeps assaulting people. He's never seemed like the violent type.

I mean, I knew he could stand up for himself and others, but not in a physical way. What other surprises does he have?

I shake the thought. Wanting to get the hell out of here. I need my bed really, really bad. I make my way to Marley. She needs to talk to her father and set the record straight. I hope she can muster the strength.

"Hey, babes, you gotta finish this. You're a grown ass woman, and they need to know that."

She sighs. "I know, but I can't talk to him, Zuri. He stood by so many times and did nothing. He hates me." She looks over to her dad, who's trying to stop his nose from gushing blood.

"Mars, you need to do this."

"We can just leave. I don't need everything." She walks over to close the trunk, but I stop her.

"No!" Forcing her to keep it open, I grab her by the arms. "You can not let this situation conclude without proper communication. You have to stop running from standing up to them and saying your peace. Nobody can do it for you. You have to do it yourself." She looks at me with understanding and walks over to her dad.

"You got this, Mars. We'll be waiting for you in the car."

"Roman, can you help me hurry and pack all this up?" He simply nods, and we go back to work.

Marley



I walk over to my dad. He finally got his nose to stop bleeding. I know he doesn't want to talk. He was always such a coward, standing by and letting Marrisa hit me all the time.

"Dad?" He looks up and shakes his head, laughing.

"What, not done watching that ten-dollar John Snow beat me up. Just leave Marley."

"Oh, I'm leaving, don't second-guess it. But before I go, I want what's owed to me, all the money I won at my contests and shows."

He chuckles loudly, standing to his feet. "Wow." He exasperates. "You're more like your mother than I thought. It's all about the money."

"No, I'm nothing like her, this is all about me and what I did and didn't deserve, which was a lot if you forgot. What kinda man are you cause you were never my father?" His face drops to nothing.

"All those times I cried and screamed for you to help me, to get her off of me, to listen. It was never enough, was it? I was never enough." I couldn't help the tears pouring out of my eyes.

"You were supposed to be my father, my protector. But you ended up being the exact opposite. A coward who can't do the simplest things."

"I will always think of you as nothing because you are nothing. Just like your dad, you ruined me."

I sob, letting all the pain fall off. "I deserve something for all the damage, don't I?"

He doesn't answer, in fact, he doesn't even look me in the eye. He just pulls out his phone and goes quiet.

I laugh through my sobs. "Are you kidding me? I'm not worth a second of your time." I storm off towards the car. Hoping in the backseat, I crumble into more tears.

"Can we leave, please?"

"Yes, of course," Roman responds. " Zuri, let me drive."

He walks around the car as Z starts it and slides over. He was just about to pull off when my dad. Walks in front of the car.

"Oh, my god," I beg. I just want all this to be over. I thought he was gonna stand there until we ran him over. But he walks towards us and over to my window. He taps on it.

Rolling it down, I reluctantly looked at him.

"You're right. I'm a coward, and I don't deserve you or anything else I can't take care of. I shouldn't have let my fears or carelessness cost you your childhood and early adult life. I should have kicked her to the curb a long time ago."

I was in complete shock. Sean has never had the guts to stand up for anyone or anything, including himself. Does he mean it?

"Dad?" He's crying.

"Let me finish, Marley. I hope you find what you're looking for, whether it's dance or interior design.'

"You knew about NYU?" I was surprised.

"Mike saw your name under the new scholarships. I'm not surprised I had an idea you were into artistry when you decorated the pool house, who knows, maybe you'll do more.... Anyway, I sent the funds over to your trust fund. You should have everything in a week or so."

"Why?" I ask.

"The idea of hurting you as my dad did to me when I was a kid is...not a pleasant thought. I thought that by not doing anything, you would blame your mother. But I should've recognized my role as your father. I'm sorry, peep."

More tears were the answer to his apology. I didn't think I would ever get one. I thought they were beyond accountability.

"Thank you," I answer

"Can I call? Just to check in."

"I think I'd like that." He nods, wiping his tears. I don't think I can forgive him right away, but maybe we can be better one day, like a real father and daughter.

"You guys should leave before Marrisa gets back. Take the car too. It's still in your name."

He hesitates. "Are you... okay?"

"For the first time, yes, I am."

"Okay." I give him a nod, and he squeezes my hand.

"Bye, peep." A smile crosses my lips. "See you later, Dad."

Roman starts pulling off and rolls up the window. I relax, finally feeling a weight lift. My dad still wants to try to be there. Even though I should leave him dry, I can't seem to. I hope we can be good friends in the future. Maybe it can be just the two of us. He's a victim of Marrisa, too. I always turned a blind eye, but I never forgot what it was like when I was younger.

We deserved better than her, and I'm glad we realized. It's never too late to forgive and heal. Especially as a unit.

"Are you okay?" They ask in union.

"I'll be alright. Let's go home."




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Marley finally stood up for herself. She feels good about everything and plans on healing her family.  Will it go her way, or is more trouble to come?

Any Thoughts?

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