Without you. - [Chenford Story]

Chap 9 : Not that big of a deal.

It took him 15 years. It was around 11 PM when he came back home. Ellie was in her room—she was old enough to stay home alone.

"I'm home," he said.

"Fine, Dad," she replied.

His phone buzzed—a text from Angela: "So?"
He sighed and dialed her number. She answered almost immediately.

" Home already? "

" Yeah..."

" How was it? "

" Awkward."

" And...?"

" And... she was awkward, the date was awkward—everything. She couldn't stop talking about herself. There was no spark. Nothing. But no, I'm done with that. I gave it a try."

"Hmm... Did you really try? "

" Of course I did. I mean, I'm the one who asked her out. It's one thing to meet someone and have small talk, but going on a date? That's different. At first, she seemed like a nice person—attractive, I won't deny it—but in the end, we had nothing in common. And..."

" And it wasn't Lucy, right?"

" Yes. After 15 years, it's still Lucy."

" And maybe it will always be Lucy."

" Maybe. But how is it possible to be unable to move on? I'll always miss her—every day. But I've got my life back. I'm living without her. Sometimes it's hard, but most of the time, I'm okay. I was okay until it came to my... love life. Dating someone was a big step for me, really. But I couldn't enjoy it. When I divorced Isabel, I was sure dating was a waste of time until I met Lucy. And even though I once said, 'I'm done with marriage,' I proposed to her. Why is this different? "

" Because it's not the same. And maybe... because Isabel wasn't the love of your life? Of course, you loved her, but she wasn't the one. It was hard for you. But Lucy? Lucy was the one. You didn't get the chance to say goodbye—it was sudden, brutal. So maybe you just can't love someone else the way you loved Lucy. And that's okay, I guess. Don't worry—I'll save you a spot with Wes and me in our future retirement home. I'm not leaving you alone."

"Y ou're so generous, Ang... But seriously, thank you."

" For what?"

" For everything you've done and said these past 15 years."

In 15 years, she had proven the true meaning of "best friend." She listened to him, supported him, and helped him raise Ellie.

Later that night, as he headed to his bedroom, he stopped by Ellie's room. He knocked and waited for her familiar "Yes?" before opening the door.

" You okay, kiddo?"

" Mm-hmm. How was your date?"

" How did you know?"

" Suit and perfume? Come on..."

" You're way too clever."

" So?"

" Terrible. But that's okay."

" You know, Dad, it's okay with me if you're dating someone."

" I know... It's just—me, you know?"

" I'm just saying, if one day you're ready, it won't be a problem for me."

" Goodnight, kiddo."

" Night, Daddy. Love you."

He smiled. It felt strange to have this conversation with his 15-year-old daughter, but in another way, it was comforting. He looked at her. She was her mother's reflection. Same face, same smile, same temperament—everything. And the older she got, the more she looked like her.

Finally, he closed her door and went back to his bedroom. Nothing had changed in 15 years. Her picture still sat on his bedside table, and he still talked to her sometimes. It hurt less now. He had learned to live without her.

2 WEEKS LATER.

He was worried sick. It was 9 PM, and Ellie wasn't home. He had tried calling her multiple times, but there was no answer. Angela was with him, and they'd asked the station to track her phone. Finally, they pinpointed her location. A patrol found her and brought her home.

Now, he wasn't worried anymore—he was furious.

A knock on the door broke his thoughts. Tim opened it to find two officers standing there with Ellie. He thanked them, and Ellie stepped inside. Once the door was closed, he turned to face her.

" Where the hell were you, Ellie?"

"With a friend. It's not that big of a deal!"

"Excuse me? You're 15, it's 9 PM, you were who-knows-where with who-knows-who doing who-knows-what, not answering your phone, and your response is, 'not that big of a deal'? Where were you?"

"With a friend. Out."

"Which friend?"

"You don't know her."

"Her name."

"Amelia."

"Doing what?"

"We were at the beach. Talking with classmates."

"So, basically, you were at a beach party. Did you drink? Smoke? Or anything else?"

"No."

"Ellie?"

" I had one beer. That's it."

" Give me your phone."

" Why?"

" You're grounded for a month. You'll get your phone back in two weeks."

" Dad, please, you can't—please!"

" We have rules, Ellie. You didn't respect them. You're 15, not 21. Now, go to your room and think about what you did."

" Dad... please."

" Room. Now."

" Da—"

" I can make it two months."

She glared at him, her eyes brimming with tears. She was furious. Turning toward her room, she hesitated halfway and spun back around to face him.

" I hate you. So much. Sometimes I wish it was you who died instead of Mom."

She dropped her words, looked at him, then stormed off to her room, slamming the door behind her. Tim stood frozen, surprised. This had never happened before. Things weren't perfect every day—she was a teenager, after all—but not like this.

Angela, still there, stepped closer.

" You know she didn't mean it, Tim. She was just angry."

" Hm."

" Both of you need to cool off. She'll probably still be upset tomorrow. She made a mistake—she broke the rules—but she's a teenager. She's figuring herself out. Take a deep breath, go to your room, and try to sleep. And tomorrow, or the day after, have a calm conversation with her. I know you were scared, but she's safe. Okay?"

She gave him a reassuring smile and hugged him before leaving.

Tim went to his bedroom and laid down on the bed. He stared at the ceiling for a moment, then picked up his phone and sent her a text.

From Tim to Ellie:
"I'm harsh on you because I love you, even if you hate me. Good night, kiddo."

He wasn't expecting a response, but his phone buzzed a moment later.

From Ellie to Dad:
"Good night too, Dada."

Even if she was mad, even if she was fifteen, she was still his baby. Especially when she called him "Dada."

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31/05/2024 : Here we are. Another chapter. I think the next one will be the last one. Maybe i have another long story ideas, but for this one, i think i said everything i wanted. SOOO, please vote and comment. It helps. See you later, for the last Chapter. Chap 10. Take care xx