Wrapped

Chapter 44

~Zack

My father, Karl, stares at me, his eyes are like small slits shooting daggers at me, his mouth is in a tight line and his eyebrows are narrowed. I can tell I am not welcomed here, but I must do what needs to be done.

"Can I come in?" I ask, sounding even sterner then I intended.

"Uh-" He began while clearing his throat. He took a small glance back inside before he finally moved aside from the doorway, allowing me to enter, "Go ahead."

I nod towards him and stepped inside, feeling incredibly more awkward than how I excepted to feel. I tried to ignore it.

Looking around the house, I noticed that some things weren't that different, like the furniture and a few accents. What were different were all the pictures of Pierce or me or even our mom was all gone. Did my dad throw them all away? Or hid them away in the basement or something? Pictures that did replace the old ones were some of my dad and his new wife and a young girl that I've never seen before, probably his daughter.

"I see that you've really redecorated the place, Dad," I sneer, walking around in circles in the house.

"Call me 'Karl', Zackary. Now, what do you want?" He says sternly, glaring at me.

"I need something from you, Karl," I say look back at him, trying to remain as calm as possible.

Trust me, I'm trying to control all my will to stay put instead of running up to him and punching him in the face. I've never thought as my father as a good man. He mentally left Pierce and me, and pretty much threw all of our memories out of the window. Even when our mother was still alive, I always thought they would get split up because dad - I mean, Karl, never really contributed to the family. And now, he still seems like how he once was.

"Why should I give anything to you?" He huffed and crossed his arms over his chest.

"Well, you pretty much left me, and Pierce when mom died. So, I think you owe us," I smiled like a 'know - it - all'. "And besides, I am your son, aren't I?"

Karl sighed and looked to the ground, "What do you want?"

"I need a couple thousand dollars."

"You think I have a couple thousand dollars lying around?!"

"Obviously since you redecorated the house and had another kid."

Now, we both stay silent, death glaring at each other. I have a very good reason why I need the money. Karl never lent me a dime in my life. I paid everything off with my own money. I never had any help. Even after I left while taking Pierce with me, Karl never said a thing to us. I think he owes us even if he thinks differently.

Besides, I want Pierce and I to leave Maryland. I don't want him to suffer because of the whole Axel incident. I've been planning on selling the dance company for a while, anyway. We need to start a new life. Also, Pierce is actually caught up on school; I don't think it would be so bad for moving and getting him transferred into a new school in a different state. It would be for the best.

"How much do you need?" He sighs and reaches into his back pocket, getting out his check book.

I widen my eyes and try to not have my jaw drop to the floor. "Are you serious? You aren't kidding me?"

"Whatever gets you out of our life faster, I will give you the money. Now, how much do you need?" He repeats.

That felt like a knife to the heart. I never thought that my own father would want his own sons out of his life. What kind of parents asks for that? I would have expected him to say something like, 'you're right. I'm sorry for being such a horrible father. How much can I repay you back?' But, no; he just wants us out of his life, and that's that.

I can't believe it.

"Well, I've been meaning to move with Pierce soon to Florida, so. . ." I trailed off to see if he could give me any options about the budget he would give me.

"I'll give you five then," Karl grunts and pulls out a pen from his pocket and began writing in the check.

I walk over to him, looking over if he's actually writing or faking it; he's actually writing down 'five thousand' in the margin and wrote down his signature and gave me the check.

"This will be the last time we ever speak, you here?" He said, darting his eyes at me angrily.

"I hear you loud and clear," I say and look down at the check, gawking over that this talk actually worked. I thought that I was either going to get kicked out or have the police called on me for 'trespassing'.

I walk over to the front door, before opening and walking out, I turn back to Karl and he kept his head low like he was disappointed in himself.

"Do you want me to say anything to Pierce from you, Karl?" I ask, trying to sound sympathetic, but it came out harsh.

"Just, get out Zackary," He muttered and walked to a different room.

Tears rim my eyelids as I left the house and back to my car. I still cannot believe that Karl would act so cruel to me. I thought he would be surprised and happy; but all he wanted was for me to leave and never speak to him again.

Shaking my head, my thoughts clear out as I begin to drive out of the neighborhood. Well, at least Pierce and I have a plan, even though I know it won't be for a while since I need to cash in the check and sell the dance company and make serious calls to parents who will be upset that their kids won't be dancing at my company anymore.

Hopefully the deadline will be close by the end of the year, and it's already October. Time really does fly by.

I pull out my phone carefully while still driving steadily. I look over the contacts, and quickly press Nick's contact and press 'call'.

As I keep driving, five or six rings went on until it went to his voice mail. "Hey, this is Nick. I'm not at the phone right now, but I swear I'll get back to you as fast as I can!"

After the beep, I smiled before I spoke to leave my message. "Hey, babe, it's me. I just wanted you to know that I have a great surprise coming your way very soon. Call me as soon as you get this message. I love you."

I'm back with a new chapter yay!!!! Anyway sorry it's so short but I'll post a longer one next week! Thanks for reading! Much love! -Luka