habits » Hemmings

Chapter 14.

After a long night of no sleep, I was in no preparation to ask my father for money. I could only imagine the fight that will break out when I confront him about my situation. His only daughter turns into a mirror-imagine of the junky ex-wife he use to love. I was almost nervous the whole day. Carol comforted me half the day while my dad was at work.

"Don't worry yourself," she said.
"I can't help it," "what if he yells? What if he says no? I don't know what to do Carol."
"I can assure you he will help you." She said it as it was almost a promise and it seemed to calm me down a bit. I took a long breath getting up from the couch and sitting on the balcony. I pondered about what to say if my dad yells, but I promise myself I won't let this get out of hand.

Soon enough my dad was home, with a huge goofy smile on his face and in a black suit and tie, he locks the door while calling my name. I paint a smile on my face with an invisible paint brush and run to my dad, just like I did when I was a kid. Embracing me in a tight hug he tells me that he has good news.

"Oh, I'm anxious now!" I smile backing up. Don't get the wrong idea now dad. I'm not that anxious for your good news. It's the fact that you have good news and a smile, And I've got a drug dealer friend and a pack of cigarettes sitting in my bag.

"Oh am I excited too! Let's get dinner started and I'll tell you at the table!" He cheered. I smiled and Carol gave me another almost sad look. I gave her a small smile before turing on the balls of my feet to go help dad with dinner. While chopping peppers he wouldn't stop talking about his job and his work. I would just smile and laugh the whole time while he told me about his rich life and high class business. Dinner was quickly made, or so it seemed as I shut out my dads constant talking.

Once everyone was sat at the table and I was ripping into my meat, I felt it was time, but I was scared as hell. Carol suddenly pitched in a question. "So Hun, how's California and how life been?" She hummed while picking at her peas.

"Oh; yes honey. How is Luke? How's you job?" Was I ready to tell my dad?

"Oh, Um, Y-You know, it's been pretty-good..."
Carol looked and me and placed her fork down

"That's good honey!" He said while chewing. I sighed.

"Ok, dad. You deserve to know the truth but, you have to promise me something, you can't get mad. Please, I just-I don't know," I finally had his attention as he set down his fork and knife and began to wipe his mouth. He gave me and Carol a stern look before continuing to look at me.

"Life hasn't been 'good', it's been-horrid, first off Luke and me broke up, about nine months ago, and since then I've started smoking and drinking, I party every night and get high every day. I've even done LSD. It's like an addiction. The reason I came to New York was because I needed money. I lost my job and-" I just lost it, throwing down my napkin and wiping my tears. "I lost my job and I lost my apartment because I don't have any money, I have nothing and no one. I'm lost dad. Please help me."

He was almost speechless, He didn't look at me, he was looking at his plate. Then stood up. Looking to me and then Carol. He chuckled and took his plate to the kitchen. I furrowed my eyebrows confused, I gave Carol a look before speaking again. "Dad?" He turned around and sat back down.

"So your asking me; supply you with thousands of dollars for a new apartment, food, clothes and maybe even drugs?" I rubbed my head.

"Dad no! It's not like that! Please! Listen, I'm not like that-"

"Really because it seems like that? Weed it one thing, but LSD? Come on I raised you better then this. I-I don't know what to say! What happened to my perfect daughter? My A+, My princess, My not drug-addicted, weed-smoking, rule-breaking, homeless daughter? Your just like your m-"