Summer Desires

Chapter Eleven

Everything from what I drank to what I ate started to climb up my throat. I take off running towards the cabin and dart straight to the bathroom. The vomit climbed my throat leaving a lump in my neck. Making me feel like I can not swallow. I kneel down next to the toilet expecting to spew toxic bile everywhere. I take deep breaths hoping it helps relieve the nauseous feeling that is overcoming my whole body. Did that man call me his daughter? The man who abandoned me and chose to walk out not once trying for me? The man who left me a run down cabin that holds all our memories together, hoping it would cover the fact he didn't want me.

There is a knock at the door and I sit in a peer silence. I do not know who stands behind that door, which frightens me to my core. Could it be my boyfriend checking on me or Jack trying to comfort me as if he's been present in my life. I stand up with a slight wobble from being drunk or could it be from having my whole universe turn upside down.

"Who is it?" I manage to spit out.

"Birdy, it's me. Can I come in?" Macho asked.

I quickly scramble to the door and open it while saying, "Is Jack still here?"

"Yes, he won't stop asking to come in and talk to you. But I told him that he signed the cabin to you, so if you say no then that means no." He explained while comforting me.

"What should I do?" I asked with fear filling my eyes.

"Birdy, I can not make this decision for you. What do you want to do?" He asked me.

"I think I deserve to know why he did what he did. I deserve to know why he left me and kept my sister from me. Why did he leave me this run down cabin to fill the void of him leaving me? Those questions I deserve to know." I said in an angry manner.

I grabbed his hand and let him lead me to the front porch. When I stepped out of the cabin, I was met with a man who looked so familiar but also so different. He had the same hair and beard. This man, this tired excuse of my biological father is standing here in front of me for what reason, I couldn't tell you. I stand there pale as a ghost. Feeling the color drain from your face because of the fear of what is to come, is a chilling feeling I can't even describe.

"Hi Talia." Jack spoke.

"What do you want, Jack? You gave me this cabin, remember?" I snapped back.

"No, I am not here for the cabin. I came to see and speak to you." He said, stepping towards me.

"Ha! After 14 years now you show up? You left me, remember? Oh and also my sister seems and sounds like an amazing girl. Glad you didn't fuck that one up." I laughed, pacing across the porch.

"I deserve that. But I am here now." He expressed.

"Why are you here, Jack? Why did you come after all the years of not speaking to me or trying for me? What could you possibly need from me?" I growled.

"It wasn't that simple. Your mother was angry with me, as she had every right to be. I knew you wouldn't want to move away from everything and everyone you knew, so I decided I would go and get you when I could. But slowly you started to distance yourself from me. I wasn't going to force you to come with me, Talia." He rambled on.

"Force me? Jack you were supposed to be a parent to me. It didn't matter if I wanted to or not. You gave up on me. I lost you as a dad. But don't lose too much sleep over it, Jack. Henry did a grand job raising me and showing me how a man should treat his wife and children, even if those kids aren't biologically his." I yelled.

"You will never understand the regret I have for not making a better effort. I was lost, okay? I was a lost man who ruined his own family. The only thing I can do is say, I am sorry." He said with tears in his eyes.