Finding 4

Chapter 43

Marley

My eyes groggily open up, and a severe headache takes over as soon as the morning light flowing into my bedroom hits my eyes. I groan, rolling over to my back.

I'm still in last nights clothes, and I didn't even get under the covers. I slept on top of my fully made bed, throw pillows and all.

I decide that I am in severe need of water and Advil, so I slowly lean up, feeling like I got hit by three trucks from three different directions, all at once.

"Gosh." I groan, rubbing my eyes.

My feet hit the carpeted floor, and I slowly stand up. Yawning, I walk over to my door and pull it open. As soon as I step out into the hallway, I see Brody walk up the stairs, not even sparing a glance at me as he goes into his bedroom and slams the door behind him.

What the fuck?

Confused, I walk downstairs and into the living room where dad is. He's leaning forward, his elbows on his knees, as he presses his thumbs into the corner of his eye.

"Dad?" I question. "What's going on?"

The dog that I picked up last night scratches at the back door, whining. I smile, forgetting the question I asked dad and walking over to let her in.

"Marley," dad says, walking into the kitchen where I am with her. "We need to talk."

I look up at him, feeling confused and a bit worried. "What?"

Dad stays quiet for a second, watching the dog and I.

Then, I smile. "Are we keeping her?"

He lets out a sigh, and it almost sounds pained. Okay...that's not what he was going to say. Maybe? Please say we can keep the dog.

"Are you going to take care of her?" He asks.

The smile comes back. He's letting me keep her.

"Yeah." I nod. "I'll even pay for her food if I have to."

Dad chews on the inside of his lip. "Fine...you can keep her. But you have to take care of her—and she better get taken to the vet for shots."

I smile and stand up, going to hug him. "Thank you, dad."

He hugs me back, but this one feels different. I have a weird, anxious feeling in my gut, but I blame it on the alcohol. I'm probably just hung over.

"Uhm.." he pulls away. "There's something else..."

I frown a little, furrowing my brows together. He walks over to the table and sits down, pushing out the chair across from him with his foot. "Sit down."

Oh I see what's going on. The good ole "don't get drunk" speech.

I sigh and sit down. "Before you say anything, I'm not going to get drunk again while I'm under eighteen. It was a one night thing, and you don't have to-"

"I'm getting deployed."

His words send a sharp pang through my chest, and I flinch as if he had raised a hand to hit me. My face falters, and I stare at him, neither of us speaking.

I can feel many different emotions rushing inside of me like a river, drowning me in my own thoughts.

"What?"

He sighs, leaning forward and placing his tattooed forearms on the table. "I'm being deployed to Afghanistan. You and Brody and Elijah, you have the choice of staying here or going home."

Home.

America used to be my home.

I would've killed to hear that I could go back a few months ago, but now...I don't think I can go back.

I've grown to really love it here in Ireland. I've met amazing people, and learned so many new things. I've met my family. The truth of it is, Ireland is my home. And I have a feeling it always will be.

"I..."

This is why he let me keep the dog. Because he's being shipped off to Afghanistan out of all places.

"When do you have to go?" I ask quietly.

"I have a week."

My heart clenches in my chest. I could have one more week with my dad. This week is the last time I could ever see him.