The Heart of Cars

Chapter 25

I'm sitting in my truck in my dad's driveway after a year and four months of being away. I know it was only supposed to be a year but I had something I needed to finish. My black hair is still the same mid back length and I'm wearing blue jeans and a red t-shirt and tennis shoes. I shut off my truck and look at my dad's vehicle. I take a deep breath and open my door. I get out, shut my door, and grab my bag from the bed of the truck. I walk up to the door and knock. After a few minutes, my dad opens the door. Nobody told him when I was coming home. I endured sixteen months of Colton being my supervisor/superior officer and now I'm excited to be home. So is my dad I guess. He hugs me super tightly once he realizes it's me. I hug him back and see Sam in the background. I'm not looking forward to talking with him. After all the calls and texts and letters that I haven't responded to, I'm sure he isn't very happy with me. My dad ushers me into the house and I nod to Sam who looks pissed. We go into the kitchen and sit at the table and I answer my dad's questions. After an hour of catching up we go out to eat. All three of us. We get back to the house after we eat and talk about mundane things. My dad sadly goes to bed and leaves me and Sam alone. We sit in the living room for a few minutes silently. My dad is so rude. Why would he leave us alone? I clear my throat and say hi to him. "Hey"
"So what's happened since I left?"
"Nothing big." I sigh at his response. "What's been up with you?"
"Nothing much." I groan and run my hand through my hair. "Is that all I'm going to get from you? Nothing big or nothing much?"
"What else do you want me to say?"
"Something. I know you're pissed at me. Why?"
"I got no response from you for over a year. If you had read any of my letters then you would know what was going on."
"Fine then. I'll go and read them. Will that make you happy? Will that make you hate me less?"
"No." He gets up and walks out, slamming the door. I groan and cover my face with a pillow. "Well that was dramatic." I nod at my dad's statement. "I really don't like it when you purposefully leave me to deal with stuff. Can't you not want me to get hurt like a normal dad?" I put down the pillow and lean against the back of the couch. "I know you. That didn't hurt." I laugh and nod. "Yeah. You're right. I just want him to leave me alone but I accepted him."
"Yeah. You have to live with him now that your back."
"What?"
"You have to live with Sam now. In the house that you get when you accept someone. It's that new develop on 8th Street."
"Oh. Does that mean I have to stay there tonight?"
"No. You can stay here tonight but tomorrow you have to." He hugs me and I hug him back. "Yay." We laugh and I go upstairs to bed. I lay in bed at 5am, not wanting to get up and start the day. "I know you're awake J. Time to start your day." I groan at my dad's voice. I should have known he would be up this early. I throw off my covers and go into the bathroom for a shower and all of my other morning duties. I put on some jeans and a white t-shirt. I grab a black hoodie just in case it gets cold. I go into the kitchen and sit across from my dad where he so kindly puts a mug of hot chocolate for me. "Thanks dad."

"No problem kid." I scoff and drink the liquid. "So what's up Sam's butt lately?"

"I really don't pay attention anymore. He seems to pms more then you do." It isn't natural for a dad or any male to be so calm while talking about that. "That's true. Why was he over here? I didn't tell you I was coming home."

"He got a letter from 'm.s.' and decided to stop by to tell me."

"I thought that guy was long gone."

"So did everyone else. Sadly, it doesn't seem like he is."

"Can't I get one freaking normal day?"

"Hmmm, 'freaking'? Looks like Colton got after you about your language." I pout and cross my arms. "Yes, he did. Did you tell him to do that?"

"No, I didn't need to. None of the older officers like recruits swearing."

"So now he is an 'older officer' Dad? Seriously?"

"Yes, he is. He is actually in line to take my job when I retire."

"What happened to you being on my side?"

"That only counts when you're arguing with someone else." I laugh and finish my hot chocolate. "I guess I should call Sam. Do you know where the house is? Is that where he has been staying?"

"Yes, to all three. It's the last house on the left on the main road." I nod and run upstairs for my bag.

*edited*