It all fell down

Chapter 3

The front door opened slowly and Jennifer crept in. It was the middle of the night.

She was just about to climb the stairs when the light in the corridor came on.

"Where have you been?" Winter asked sternly.

The girl looked at him in complete surprise. Her father was standing in the doorway that led to the living room.

"Erm, well..." she stuttered to herself.

Winter crossed his arms.
"Jennifer Fortune-Knight! You were at that house party, weren't you? I expressly told you not to!"

"But Dad! Everyone was there!" his daughter protested.

"You're fifteen years old! You're not supposed to be at parties yet!"

He stepped up to her and held out his hand. "Give me your mobile phone."

" But Dad..."

" No buts young lady! Give me your mobile phone and you're grounded for two weeks!"

Jennifer rolled her eyes and handed him the phone.

"Don't roll your eyes. These are the consequences! And now off to bed with you!"

" God Dad!!! Sometimes I hate you!" With that, she ran up the stairs and slammed her bedroom door.

Winter sighed, he always felt bad when he had to talk to his daughter like that.

He went into the living room and sat down on the sofa. He was actually really tired, but his mind was racing.

He leaned his head back on the armrest of the sofa, ran his fingers through his hair, which had already turned slightly grey on the sides, and closed his eyes.

' Was I too hard on her?" he thought to himself.

"Maybe. I mean we were all young once."

Winter opened his eyes and looked next to him, immediately gazing into the icy blue eyes of his late wife.

"Autumn...". She looked exactly the same as the day he had lost her.

She tilted her head. "You're worrying too much again, my sweet."

Winter just stared at her. He wanted to touch her, but something held his body still. " I miss you..."

She smiled slightly. " I miss you too.... But don't worry, I'm always with you two.."

"I know... but am I doing a good job...?"

She put her hand on his cheek. " You're doing a great job. Our daughter is a wonderful girl thanks to you. But she's growing up. Trust her more."

"You're right..." he whispered.

She smiled at him again. "And now wake up and go to bed. Otherwise you will get neck pain."

Winter suddenly opened his eyes and looked next to him on the couch, but it was empty.

When Jennifer came into the kitchen the next morning. Breakfast was already on the table and her mobile phone was also there. Winter was standing at the kitchen counter. "Good morning, darling. "

"Hey Dad." She sat down at the table. "I'm getting my mobile phone back?"

Winter sat down next to her and nodded. "Jen, in the future you tell me if you're going anywhere. You're a teenager now and I have to accept that, but I want you to be safe. So please always be honest with me, ok."

Jennifer nodded. "Thanks dad. I'll be honest with you in the future.... But why the change of heart. I really thought I was going to have to sit at home for at least two weeks."

Winter smiled slightly. "Well, let's put it this way. Someone talked me out of it."