Nova | Jacob Black

34:"I'm not asking you to forgive me"

Nova

"So what brings you guys to Texas?"

"Family."

That didn't feel right to say. My dads other wife and children aren't exactly family.

I rolled down the window, man was it hot here. I was really starting to miss Washington and Jake. Mom got us on a flight to Texas the day after Barbara called saying my dad was dying. I was still lost in my feelings, I didn't know how to feel! Am I sad because he's dying? Or am I mad because he abandoned us? Who the hell knows because I sure don't.

"What do you think he has to say?"

I looked over at Alex, shrugging in response. "He'll probably just apologize again and expect us to forgive him." He answered his own question. "

The driver pulled into the driveway of a nice house, much nicer than ours. I stepped out of the car, Alex paid him after grabbing our bags from the trunk.

I slowly began to feel the regret sink in. Maybe we shouldn't have come, a simple phone call saying goodbye would've been better.

"I'm so glad you're here!"

Barbara was standing at the front door, a smile on her face. It was one of those pity smiles, I couldn't tell who she was feeling pity for. Us or herself. I mean the woman was losing her husband.

"Come on in, were about to go visit your dad."
She ushered us in, I could feel Alex slowly tense up. This was an awkward situation. We were actually going to stay with this family. The one we hated so much. "You're rooms are this way," we followed her down a hall covered in frames with photographs of their family. Family vacations, holidays, portraits and school pictures. They looked like an all American family. Real happy.

"Alex you're here, and Nova you're in this one." I walked into what I assume to be a guest room. Everything was white and plain. A single bed in the room with a desk and chair. You would think we're staying in a motel.

"I'll let you guys get settled in and then we can head out. Are you hungry?"

"No I'm good," Alex was quick to respond. Not even bothering to look up at Barbara. "I'm good too, thank you." I replied. She pity smiled again and walked away.

I closed the bedroom door, throwing my bag on the bed and taking a seat at the edge. I wanted to call Jake but I knew he was probably patrolling. Instead I just took a deep breath, trying to prepare myself for what was to come of today. Alex and I agreed we would only come for one day and leave in the morning. We'd let him say whatever it is he needed to say so he can die in peace. Other than that, we didn't want to be here long. It's probably of harsh of us to act like this. But it's not easy to forget he left us. Our family. We were perfectly fine when he left and we'll be fine when he dies.
-----
He was just laying there, his eyes on the tv in front of him.

I felt my chest tighten, I was nervous. It feel weird to see him there, I had never seen him so...

Sad.

I stepped into the room, he quickly turned his head. His eyes got bigger, almost as if he was happy to see me.

"Nova."

His voice was rough and harsh.

"Hi."

"I'm so glad you came."

I nodded in response, "Barbara said you wanted to talk."

"I'm sorry."

I couldn't help but scoff, he said it as if it was the first time. "You've already apologized."