The Foreign Exchange Student

Chapter Twelve

April 13 2019

Lotus Jones

I closed my text book before placing it in my bookbag, it was lunch time and I was starving. I grabbed my car keys out of my bookbag before zipping it up. Once I received my license Mrs.Lee forced me to pick out a car in the garage...she was so sweet. No matter how much I told her I didn't need a car, she told me and I quote "You're not leaving this garage with a set of keys."

I heard my phone ringing before pulling it out of my pocket, I smiled seeing my dad was calling.

"Hey Dad." I said.

He coughed causing me to stop walking.

"Hey Ladybug, how are you?" He asked.

"Good, What's up with this cough?" I asked.

"Just allergies, Mrs.Lee told me you got your drivers license." He said.

"Uh Yeah, and she gave me a car. Can you believe that?" I asked unlocking my door.

"That's Mrs.Lee for you." He chuckled.

"How would you know?" I asked tossing my book bag into the passenger seat.

"Right..." He trailed.

I started the car before I sat back.

"Dad..what's going on? I know it's not allergies. Be straight with me." I said seriously.

He let out a shaky breath.

"Ladybug." He mumbled.

I closed my eyes as I felt my throat become dry.

"How long?" I asked.

"A few weeks...colon cancer, I found out I had it just before granny passed." He said.

I threw my head back as tears fell out the corner of my eyes.

"I didn't have anything to offer you except Korea...I didn't tell you because you just lost granny. I know it's sad finding out like this but Lo. I did the best I could do."He sniffed.

I let out a breath and swallowed.

"I understand...I just wish I could be there with you." I said.

"I know, but you're needed in Korea." He said.

"Why? Why did you send me here if you knew you had cancer?" I asked.

"I had nothing to offer you, I would've left and you would have been in the states alone. At least there I know you are taking care of, The Lee's are good people...I've known them for sometime through your mother." He said.

"Oh, the bitch we refuse to ever talk about?" I asked.

"Lotus." He said.

I sighed.

"I'm sorry, but why have you kept all of this from me? The Lee's, all of it? Is there even an Foreign Exchange program?" I asked.