Betrayals of a Silent Heart

Chapter 2

Thinking back to yesterday, and more importantly last night, I smiled to myself. 

And that's how I ended up eating dinner with my boyfriend, and my dad, both of which were wearing suits. Genius idea, Lisa. I wish I could say Nate's reaction to my father was a little less shocked. But sadly, he cringed and then realized he was standing in my living room, looking like a dehydrated fish. Recovering, he approached my dad, and shook his hand gently, trying to be careful. My dad, on the other hand, just smiled and led the way into the dining room, struggling to steer his wheelchair himself. Men. They think they have to act so tough just to prove something! Trying to figure out what to make that afternoon had been hell, but thankfully, I settled on something everyone would like. Tacos. Probably not the best food to eat at a first time introduction, but it tasted good, and they both loved it.  

Standing up to clear the table, my dad stopped me. Assuming he was ready for bed, I stopped, prepared to wheel him into his room upon command. Instead, he wanted to talk to me. 

"That was some good food, Kid." 

"Yea, Good job Dyavol"(1) Nate agreed happily, trying to contain a belch and failing. 

Laughing, I glanced at my dad, slightly blushing at Nate's nickname for me, knowing my dad spoke fluent Russian. "Thanks boys. Dad, you ready to head to bed?" 

Turning to look at me like I had 4 heads, my dad turned a funny shade of red. I think he was blushing, in fact. "Do I look like I need to sleep? I've been sleeping all afternoon! I'm gonna go into the living room, and this kid is going to help you clean the kitchen like a good man, and then we're all going to sit down and enjoy a nice little chat together, so I can get to know this guy better." 

Can anyone say "uh-oh"? A Father-boyfriend talk is never a good idea. EVER! But knowing my dad wanted to talk to Nate, I couldn't resist allowing him this luxury he might never get again. 

Nate, looking extremely worried cast a glance at me, afraid that he might be entering an interrogation room, rather than my living room. Laughing I shook my head to tell him he'd be fine. 

"I can handle the kitchen, dad. Why don't you and Nate go watch the game and chat, while I finish up in here?" 

Dad smirked, knowing I was trying to give them some time to fight or chat without me being in the room. But, I was also giving my dad a chance to be a dad, something he hadn't been able to do in a long time.  

Clearing the table and rinsing the dishes, I loaded the dish washer, humming under my breath lightly. Finishing up, I walked towards the livingroom slowly, trying to judge the atmosphere I was about to walk into. Hmmmm that's weird. They're laughing. NOT GOOD! Walking into the living room, I found my father and Nate bent over an old photo album, laughing as my dad told the story behind a particularly embarrasing photo. Me, at age 5, drenched in water and looking like a wet cat thanks to the recent haircut my father had given me. My mother and I had been in the backyard working, and dad had surprised us, hosing me down with the garden hose and making me vow for revenge. Trying to get him back, I managed to fall, and turn myself into a mud-sicle. At which time my mother came out and took the picture. Nate's face was purple with laughter and my father had tears in his blue eyes, making me smile, despite wanting to be embarrased.  

Looking up at the sound of my approach, the two men sobered slightly, trying not to make a sound, despite the shaking of their shoulders, giving away their obvious laughter. Glancing at the photo album, I sat down, and turned to my favorite photo. My mother, standing tall and proud next to her Painted mare Adora, and the mare's new foal, a gorgeous painted colt I named Tahkoa. Tapping it lightly, I showed Nate.  

"Here, this is her. The gorgeous woman who I called mother. You've seen pops, now meet my mum." 

Obviously startled at the idea of me showing him a photo of my long forgotten, and rarely mentioned mother, Nate leaned foward, curious to see the woman who raised, and abandoned, his girlfriend. "Whoa. Hun, you're mom was gorgeous! What was her name?" 

"Her name was Ryleah Lailoni, and that's Adora, her pride and joy. And my special boy Tahkoa. Both which you can meet in a little bit."  

Smiling, Nate stared at me, causing me to blush at his obvious scrutiny. "What?"  

Shaking his head, he laughed. "Nothing. You just look alot like her. Except...." Casting a glance at my dad, he nodded "...you seem to have inherited your fathers eye color. Makes you gorgeous, hunny" 

Blushing harder, I stood up, closing the album, and looked at dad. "Ready for bed now, old man?" 

Looking like he was about to pass out anyway, I can't say I gave him much of a choice. Wheeling him to his room, I was abruptly met by Lisa. "Go on hunny. Go enjoy the rest of your night. I'll get your dad to bed, and then head out back to my place. Now go. Shoo." 

Shaking my head, I turned around, leaving my dad in Lisa's care, and returned to the living room to find Nate staring at the now open album. Approaching him, I noticed he was yet again looking at the picture of my mother. "She was beautiful, wasn't she?" 

Startled, he slammed the book shut, obviously embarrased. "Yes, she was. And so are you."

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(1.) Dyavol- Devil in Russian. My childhood nickname. :)

*****************************AUTHORS NOTE***************************** 

Okay, so sorry it's so d*** short. But Chapter 3 is already done, and I think I'll post it next. Give me some slack though, people. Like my Editor in Chief said, my electronics are gone. Everything from here on out will be hand written, and hand edited. And then typed and published. It's gonna take longer than necessary. But I WILL do it :) For who ever is reading this. I have 9 reads as of now, so not many, but better than Zero. Thanks to you readers who have come back for more :) See you all soon. 

Oh, Like, Comment, Vote, Fan, and eat Tacos.  

SIncerely, Jenaya Dyavol