Incognito [j.k]

02

August 3rd, 2018
(Same Night)

Riley Carter

When I finally heard the door bell ring, I sprinted up my bed in a joyous manner. This was a daily routine for me. I always couldn't wait for my dad to get home from work, I rarely even see my father for that matter. My brother works alongside my father, they own this huge company, or so I was told. I've never been allowed to visit where he works though, I was told I was too young, I'm 12, but maybe one day I'll be able to see the amazing things he does at work. I always admire my father, my mother doesn't speak too much about why is gone all the time but I guess it's just because he's a hard worker.

Sprinting downstairs in my bare feet and stripped pajama set was where my adrenaline took me, the door bell was ringing and instantly knew it was my dad, maybe my brother too? Each step down the stairs felt like forever. In moments like this adrenaline can make something so simple feel like forever and that was what I was feeling right now.

I had to catch my breath, I looked like someone who just ran a marathon, who'd knew a simple task like that would be so... Exhausting. Holding onto the rail, I took in 3 deep breaths, trying to calm down a bit before opening the door.

I made my way over to the door, smiling to myself before reaching it. My hands grabbed the knob, turning it so that it opens.

"Salvatore!" I shout in pure excitement, I was grinning like and idiot, but who could blame me, he hasn't been home for almost a week, I sprinted forward, hugging him tightly.

"Riley" He smiles back, "How's my little girl doing?" He Inhales sharply from my tight grip, pulling my arms from around his waist before entering the house with a bag in the other hand.

"I missed you" I pout following him inside, why couldn't his work hours be less... long? I was tired having to stay up so late just so I won't have to wake up in the morning to find him not there.

"I know, I know, I'll try to visit you more often ok sweetie?" He reassures, but it's what he always does, I know he has a tight work schedule but there's no need to get my hopes up over a little white lie.

"But you always say that" my voice cracks, sounding a bit weak, I was on the verge of crying.

He placed his bag on the ground kneeling in front of me, looking into my glossy irises. His hands were placed on my shoulders, the silence causing my eyes to become even more teary.

"Sweetie, I know sometimes I make promises that I can't always keep but you have to stay strong for me, I love you more than anything in this world but I have a job, and... it's hard for me to be as present as I would like to be as a parent" he pauses, his head facing the ground now

He inhales before removing a pendant from around his neck, it took him a while to get it off himself, I watched as he did.

"Here, I want you to have it, it was my grandfathers, it's meant to protect and give strength... even in the darkest situations"

My eyes widened as the pendant was held out for me to take, it was an anchor pendant, a shiny silver.

"But It's yours" I protest, I couldn't just take it like that, this was special to him

"And now it's yours, don't worry about me, I can handle myself, I'm a big guy. You'll need all the protection you can get when you get older" he puts the pendant around my neck snapping the clasps together. I smiled

"Thanks" I show my gratitude, giving him a big hug, almost knocking him towards the ground, he pats my back I could feel him smilling while doing so.

"I love you dad" I spoke with a smile before breaking the hug, he picks himself up off the ground, dusting off his knees before grabbing the bag again.

"Now go get some rest my love" he strokes my cheeks, causing me to smile happily, then heading upstairs, I stopped midway to look back at him heading the opposite direction.

If only I knew what you did for a living dad...