There was something so unsettling about moving into a new town. I’m finding it hard to leave everything behind. But I have no choice, my Grandmother is getting really sick these past few days and she can’t take care of me anymore. After my Mom died three years ago, I begged my Grandmother to take me under her wing because I didn’t want to live with my Dad. It wasn’t like I hated him or anything; I just find it difficult to look at the man who left my mother and me when I was three because of “irreconcilable differences”. I know complete and utter bullshit. And now that I was here, there was no turning back. The only thing I have to look forward to was being able to hang out with my best friend all the time.
“Well?”
I stepped out of the car and into the cool breeze of January in Costal Cove.
“It’s like I have a choice…” I said to myself, sliding my sunglasses on top of my head. Thanks to the air my hair is now all over my face. I brush it away and looked at my Dad. “It’s nice.” I say to him.
In front of me stood a two-storey, all-American house with an awfully big garage and an even bigger backyard complete with a pool and white picket fence.
My Dad lived in Costal Cove; it was a 4-hour drive from where I used to live. It was quaint little town and according to my Grams everything is “near and convenient.” How inviting, I thought. Remembering my conversation with her a week before they had to take her to the retirement facility my Dad checked her in. I looked back at the house and sighed. It’s not that I’m complaining, I mean this house looked like the freakin’ white house compared to my Grandmother’s and Mother’s house combined. It just feels a little too big for just two people.
“You don’t like it?” My dad asked as he reached in to the trunk to get my stuff.
“No…no it’s not that.” I said, squinting at my dad as I gave him a hand with the luggage. “It’s just; this is all new to me. You know?”
He looked at me and smiled as he retrieved the last luggage and my tote bag in the car. “I know it is Kiddo. But I’m excited to get to know you. I know you’re probably mad at me for leaving all those years ago…” he pause for a while, fishing for the keys in his pocket and when he unlocked the door he began again, “and I want to make it up to you. We’ll get to do every father-daughter activity that we missed out on, how about that?”
“Isn’t a bit too late for that Dad?”
He looked at me sadly, I bit my lip. That was so stupid! I didn’t mean to say that out loud. The words were out before I had a chance to think about them. I focused on my shoes and swallowed the big lump forming in my throat to keep me from crying. “I’m sorry” was the only thing I could say.
He let out a breath and put a hand on my head. “It’s okay. I’m not mad. Hey, better late than never, right?” He said, I looked up at him and he was smiling but I wasn’t quite convinced.
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After an hour or so I finished unpacking and went downstairs. I found my Dad at the kitchen cooking dinner.
“Need any help?” I asked
“No it’s fine. I got it.” He said without turning his back to me. “I’m making lasagna. I hear it’s your favorite.”
I smiled; he did want to make this work. Now I feel bad for what I said earlier. I sat at the purple bar stool in the kitchen and took my phone out my back pocket and saw 1 message and 2 missed calls from Julian.
I hear the princess has arrived. What time shall I collect you? We need to do some serious catching up because for sure I won’t be able to talk to you tomorrow. Will be busy protecting you from the boys that will want to get their hands on you.
I smiled and replied, Ha Ha you’re just so freakin’ hilarious. Come by with your white horse and shining armor at around 8-ish. Dad’s making dinner. I can’t exactly bail on him on our first night together.
He replied in under a minute, I don’t have a white horse but I do have a white Audi TT! Hahaha 8 it is then. See you later!
I laughed and put my phone back inside my pocket. I looked over at Dad who was now setting up the table. I stood up and grabbed the plates from him. “I’ll do it.” I volunteered. He smiled and patted me on the back. “Thank you Kiddo.” He said as he retrieved the lasagna from the oven.
Dinner with Dad was excruciatingly long and quiet and mostly filled with small talk. I looked up at him; I never really did get a chance to get a good look at him since he picked me up a few hours ago. My dad is almost forty but he could usually pass for five-years-younger. He had shaggy brown hair, tan skin and green eyes. And it just donned on me that I haven’t seen this man in over ten years.
I finished the last of my lasagna and took my plate to the sink.
“Dad?” I called out.
“Hmm?”
“Do you think maybe I could go out with Julian tonight?”
“I don’t see why not?” He said as he put his plate in the sink. I scoot over to the left in we wash them together in silence.
I glanced at my watch and it was fifteen minutes to 8 o’clock. Knowing Julian he was always on time and he hated it when I took too long to get ready. I rushed back to my room and changed into a pair of distressed shorts, a plain black v-neck and a pair of converse. I glanced at the mirror as I was tying my hair up in a messy bun. I grabbed my wallet and phone and headed downstairs.
I went to the living room and saw my Dad watching CSI. I plopped down on the sofa opposite him and he looked up. “So? Where are you two going?” he asked, smiling as he adjusted his glasses.
“Uhm…I don’t know? I guess he’s going to show me around a bit.” I said, crossing my legs and checking my phone. Three minutes to eight.
“This Julian…he’s your best friend right?”
“Yep, the same Julian you met when I was three.”
“Ahhh.” He said, pinching the bridge of his nose and closing his eyes. “Wa…Walker! He’s the son of our neighbors next door. Julian Walker, right?”
I nodded. And that was that. I have a hard time talking to my dad. I guess it’s because he has never been actively a part of my life. I smiled sadly at the thought and started to play with my thumbs. I could feel the tension between us, like it was something tangible. And as if on cue, the door bell rang. I jumped up the sofa and ran towards the door.
“I’m going Dad!” I said and headed out quickly. I bumped into Julian on the way out and he put his hand on my shoulder to steady me, “Hey there, roadrunner. Why are you in a hurry?” He asked as I grabbed his hand, pulling him towards his car. “Let’s just go.” I said and he clicked the unlock button and I climbed into the passenger seat. I watched him go around and climb in next to me. He put the car into drive and pulled out of our parking lot.
