Nor⭐️Cal

XXI.

Nor⭐️Cal

<>The Next Day<>

Vanity

Dad and I were on slightly better terms, I feel like it's because now I have a job and he thinks that by me having this job it'll only create all the more distance between CJ and I. Well he doesn't know that CJ and I still choose to remain around each other. 

I know I've kept a lot of secrets from him and I'm not proud that I do but deliberately going behind Dad's back as much as I do, especially bringing in CJ when he doesn't allow him to begin with only makes me feel worse. In the beginning it added to the rush of doing something I knew I wasn't supposed to be but that feeling is running on empty. 

"You okay? You're not even eating." Dad pointed out and I looked up across the  table to see him about halfway done with his meal. My plate was still full but I wasn't interested in my breakfast so I nudged it off to the side and brought the glass of orange juice closer instead. "What's the matter?" 

"I just don't feel hungry yet. I came down at around three this morning to get something to eat so I'm not exactly hungry enough for breakfast." I didn't come down at three for a snack; I came down to make sure the door was locked after saying goodbye to CJ. However, I'm still not hungry either way. 

"Alright, well what are your plans for today? I hope you're not busy at eleven because that's when you need to be at the restaurant so your Uncle and I can show you the ropes." It was nice to hear some excitement underlying in his voice. Even the crack of a smile was on his face before he looked back down at his plate to get another bite of his cheesy hash browns. 

"I didn't have anything planned to begin with, unless I'm called down to the station for more questioning." He gave a slight nod. "I'm surprised you haven't brought up the fact I was in questioning. It's been plenty of days that have went by." 

"You're of age, you can handle this on your own. You don't tell me much of your life anyways and when I ask you always put off the explanation or lie so I figured you'd do the same with this if I asked. By the looks of it you seem to be doing just fine since you're not behind bars." I should have known I was going to get a response like that. "Makes me feel like I don't even know who my own daughter is anymore." 

"I could say I barely know who you are either. Always gone on business meetings or with the church, which I understand is your employment but you make no time for me at all. You painted yourself at this wonderful man who went to business school, built up a business then sold it so you and your daughter could live in these luxury homes but come to find out you operated a sex trade. I said I wouldn't judge you for that but you don't think that left me wondering what else there is to you? I love you as my father but don't act like you're this over the top father when you barely spend time with me." Wherever this courage came from to get me to say that to him, I'm thankful for it. I've been dying to tell him this but out of fear, I kept it to myself. 

"How am I supposed to make time for you when the only times you choose to be home are when I'm gone? When I finally am home, you take off." 

"I leave because you go straight to your room or office when you get home. When you're not there, you're on the couch working from your laptop and I already know to leave you alone when you're working. I'm not always home when you're gone, I go out and do things with friends too but you wouldn't know because you're out of the house." I said in a more defensive tone as I sat more upright in my chair and held onto the glass a little tighter. 

"Fine Vanity, I apologize for not making time for you. I just want you to be more open with me and honest. As your parent, I'm supposed to help guide you in the right direction but if you don't tell me what's going on, how am I supposed to help you out?"