Wild Ride - The Alternative Version (Book 2)

Chapter 65~Daddy's Here To Hold You Through The Night

Abbie's POV

For the whole morning, Dad made unusual attempts to talk to me without using small talk. He seemed kind of cheery too, which isn't something I usually see when he talks to me. He greeted me this morning with a big good morning, and so now I'm kind of freaked out. Did he take some kind of medication this morning or something?

Even though I was planning on 'leaving' today, I still took my heart medication, mostly because Dad was watching. I ate breakfast and treated this like any normal day, anticipating the moment this afternoon when he'd leave for Uncle Zacky's. I had the letter I wrote him in my pocket, ready to dispense it later.

Around eleven, Dad came into my room, saying, "Hey! I'm gonna go to Uncle Zacky's house now to hang out with the guys and stuff. Do you wanna come?" 

"No, that's ok. I'll just stay here." I replied. 

"Aw, c'mon! Your uncles miss you, yknow. They haven't been able to mess with you in a while, and even though you're grounded I'll allow it this time if you want to come. It must be better than sitting there all by yourself." He pleaded.

"Nah, I've got homework to do still anyway. But, tell them I miss them too." 

Dad looked a little disappointed, but said, "Ok, I will. I'll see you in a few hours, alright? And if you need anything, or if you change your mind about going, call me and I'll come back and get you. I'll probably be there until three." 

"Ok." 

He turned and started to leave, but then I thought about how today was my last day, and that it'd be a really long time before I see him again if there's even an afterlife, and there's always the possibility that there's nothing after death. 

"Dad, wait!" I called out.

Dad backed up, back into the doorframe. "Yeah?" 

I put the book that I'd been reading down and got up from my bed, also slipping the letter for him out of my pocket as a last minute thought. I just walked up to him and hugged him tightly, as tightly as I could manage. I was surprised when he hugged me back just as tightly, but I smiled to myself because it was nice to finally get this hug, even if it was a little too late. He just didn't know that this was part of my goodbye. 

As we broke away, I looked up at him and he smiled a little. "I'll see you later." I said as I slipped the letter into his jacket pocket without him noticing.

He nodded. "See you later." 

I stepped back and walked back over to my bed, and I heard his footsteps go down the hall and the stairs. I waited to hear the door shut downstairs, and for his vehicle to start up and drive away. Then I went downstairs and looked outside to make sure he was actually gone. It's almost time. 

There's just some things I want to do before I go, for the last time. I haven't sung or played an instrument in a while because everything's been so awful, and I just didn't have the strength lately to bring myself to play anything. But I wanted to sing one last song, so I went down to the basement.

I just looked around the room for a moment, remembering the first time Dad brought me down here. I'd sat at the piano and watched him play in awe, like he was some kind of music god or something. I haven't even drummed since I came back because it would be kind of painful where Dad and I hadn't been close anymore and I still remember every lesson he gave me clearly. They were filled with laughter and happiness, something we didn't have anymore. I'm not even sure if he would even let me touch his drum set anymore, he usually doesn't allow anyone to use it with exception of me. But even if he did still let me use it, I don't think I could drum anymore because it's been so long and it was the last instrument I learned before I left. My mind kind of blanks out when I think about how to play it.