Oceanside

Chapter 46

Odette

"Okay and just expect him to be skeptical at first," I said as I walked up to my parents front door with Silas. "I've tried to knock that out of him on the phone but I know how he is."

I was dreading how my father would react. He still suspects Silas had something to do with my disappearance. Luckily my mother would be a good buffer.

"That's okay," Silas assured.

As soon as my hand came down from knocking on the door Silas intertwined my fingers with his. He brought my hand up to his mouth, kissing the back of my hand right before the door opened.

My mother was the first person I saw because of how quickly she rushed forward. "Odette baby!" She threw her arms around me.

I hugged her back but not quite as hard. From over her shoulder I saw my father in the doorway. He looked the same as he did the last time I saw him.

That was at the dinner table right before I excused myself to my room for the night.

His dark brown hair was still cut short, almost in a miliary fashion. He was always in shape but not overly muscular. He had scruff on his face that was speckled with grey. It was so short I almost missed it. His hazel eyes were frozen on Silas for a second before they moved to me.

I could tell he was taken aback by Silas's appearance but he wouldn't comment on it.

When he looked to me I smiled.

His eyes softened and I knew he was trying not to cry. My mother on the other hand didn't try to stifle it all too much.

She pulled back from me suddenly, holding my face between her hands. "Oh look at you. You look tanner, did you lighten your hair?"

My mother and I shared most of our features. She had blue eyes and blonde hair. Although she was right, my hair had gotten lighter with all my time in the sun. My mother was tall and thin, her pale skin never holding much of a tan that wasn't a burn first.

"No, it's just the sun," I said.

"That makes sense. You live near a beach," she agreed. She blotted her tears with the back of her hand. Fanning her eyes to stop herself from sheading more. "I know I'm a mess. I'm so sorry, y'all come in."

She waved us in. My father hugged me briefly but with equal pressure of my mother.

When I stepped back he moved to shake Silas's hand. "You must be Silas."

Silas accepted his handshake. "Yes sir."

"Charles is fine," he said.

"My name's Jennifer. It's so nice to finally meet you." My mom shook his hand too. "We've heard wonderful things."

My mother immediately looked to me as if she was wondering if she should have said that. I supposed it would have embarrassed me in the past.

I wasn't now. Half of those conversations Silas was there for, the other half I filled him in later. I sent a smile to show it was fine.

"Same here. Odette has nothing but good things to say." Silas's hand around my waist.

"Well I have to hear everything. Why don't we go sit down, Odette honey would you help me get some tea?" my mother asked. "Silas would you like something to drink? Sweet tea maybe?"

"Yes thank you."

As my father led Silas into the informal dining room I went with my mom. I wasn't worried about what my dad might say. I was certain it was going to be questions regarding his work and his intentions. Probably followed by subtle threats.