My Father Is Who!?

Best Ginger Princess

"...Alex," says Austin, his eyes piercing a hole through my heart, he looks beyond sad.

"I..." I try to explain myself, but how can you make up an excuse for... this?

"Sweety," he says walking up and hugging me, "oh what have you done?" He says taking the towel away from my wrist. He knows what I have done, but he also doesn't.

I cringe as he peers at the cuts, and quickly puts the towel back against my wrist as blood drips on the floor, forming a little puddle.

"Alan, go start the car," says Austin sounding like he might cry,

"Please don't take me to the hospital," I plead. Why do I do this to myself?

"Alex, I know how much you hate hospitals, but these need tending too," he says avoiding eye contact with me. I knew it, he's disappointed. They always are.

"Please!" I say tears welling up in my eyes, "I didn't mean to do this Austin, I promise. I tried so hard, but-"

"Shhh," he says hugging me again, "I understand, but we need to get this fixed up,"

"Austin, you do have a medical kit," says Alan, poking his head around the corner looking pale and still in shock.

"Grab that for me, and quickly." He says holding more pressure against my wrist.

"Alex, for the day I've been with you,"

Stop Austin, you're going to make me cry more.

"I've come to believe we're a lot alike," he says, what's he getting to?  "And you know you can tell me anything, because I will always listen and support you." His eyes soft and warm. Welcoming even, and not angry at all.

I stare down at my feet, my tears mixing with the little puddle of blood.

"Can you promise me, never to hurt yourself again?" He says looking into my eyes, searching for some answers and happiness. I've never noticed, but his eyes wrinkle a little when he's worried. His beard and chin does a little twitch, and his hands shake. Is he scared?

*some hours later*

I wake up to the sound of someone knocking on my door, "mind if I come in?" Says Alan, "oh shit, sorry did I wake you up?"

"It's alright," I say sitting up and rubbing at my eyes,

"How are you feeling?" He says coming and laying on the end of the bed, "that was scary back there, kiddo."

"I could tell, by the way you looked at me," I say staring down at the bandage on my wrist which has a little blood spot on it.

"You didn't scare me," he says "the thought of someone being in so much pain to hurt themselves is what scares me."

Who knew Alan could be so wise?

I smile up at Alan without saying a word, and he smiles back. I appreciate this guy so much, and he knows it.

"Well, Austin's cooking dinner and it will be ready soon, I'll let you rest," he says getting up,

"Thank you, Alan." I say before he leaves,

"For what?" He says, looking confused.

"Being the best ginger princess out."