Janie and Jack

9: Only Janie

When school is over, I decide to go somewhere no one would find me for the next few hours. My fathers book shop.

I haven't seen my dad for months. After my mothers sudden death last year, I lost my senses and pushed myself with work.

I love my dad and I felt bad, so when I found myself on the front steps of his shop I suck in a breathe and walk in.

"How may I help you" he pushes a book inside the shelf not facing me.

"I need my dad" I softly say

He turns around and his face drops into a smile. Tears spill from his face as he walk towards me and I run into his arms.

"Daddy" I muffle

"Janie dear!" He rubs my back in comfort

"I missed you" I pull away

"You look so pale Janie, have you eaten?" He examines my face

I then, remembered I haven't eaten at all and it's half past six. I skipped breakfast and I didn't even bother eating lunch at work.

"Come on honey, I'll make your favorite, potato soup like mamas" he wraps his small arm around mines.

My dads bookshop is downstairs from his apartment so it's comes in handy when he has family guests. The stairs leads my up to his living room. When I look at the room it's a complete mess.

"Dad are you okay?" I mutter out

"Of course honey, it's just your mother always cleaned up after me and after she.... You know, I just couldn't find myself to" he looks at the messy room

"You go cook dad I'll clean while you do so" I begin picking up newspapers

He pushes up his glasses,"Thanks honey"

When he leave to the kitchen I begin relentlessly cleaning. My OCD overcame me and I find myself scrubbing the wooden floors.

"Janie dear, dinners ready" he takes in my appearance,"Oh would you look at yourself you look like a mess. You shouldn't have to trouble yourself with the floors"

I pick myself up and blow away the small stand of hair in my face,"Dad you know me, I just have to" I pucker up my lips

"Ah Janie! I missed you dearly" he walks over to hug me.

"Let's go eat" I walk to the kitchen with him in still clinging onto my arms

He sits on the chair across from my placement and I spoon a platter of soup. I place the bowl on his placemat and walk back to serve myself some.

"Mmmm" I take in the tasteful soup,"Like moms"

He chuckles and spoons a spoonful into his mouth,"That dish was her famous potato soup"

"It's delicious dad" I slurp the last of the soup in my bowl.

"Have more Janie, you are so pale"

I agree with him and sit up to grab myself more. When I reached the stove I notice a picture taped on the wall.

"Dad, whose this?" I point to the girl who looks about my age

"That honey," he wipes the edges of his mouth,"Is your mother when she was your age"

I pick up picture and walk to him,"How come I never saw it when I lived here?" I look at him with curious eyes

"When your mother passed... I had no motivation to cook but I do when I see her picture taped on that stove, I imagine her beside me cooking her famous potato soup."