Phase

Dad

Lauren's apartment wasn't too far away- dad didn't live far away either, yet he could never be bothered to see me. I didn't really care anyway; if he let me stay with him now I could forgive everything.
Alex followed my vague and useless directions to Lauren's apartment and parked outside. She didn't seem nervous to be meeting new people- I was astounded.
I was getting to the stage where my tears had ran out and I was left mute and numb, not really taking anything in. We went and pressed the buzzer, until Lauren's voice said to come in.
When we went up, Lauren instantly enveloped me in a comforting hug, "are you okay?"
"Yeah," I shrugged, "I'm fine."
Dad got up awkwardly from the couch and stood near me.
"Hey kiddo," he offered me his fist. I punched it half-heartedly.
"Hi dad," I sighed.
He suddenly put his arms around my shoulders, patting my back, "I've missed you."
I didn't say anything back.
"Uh... this is Alex," I said, trying to smile.
"Hi Alex," dad shook her hand, "it's good to meet you... uh... so Tara, d'you wanna tell me what's going on?"
I looked at Lauren nervously, "you didn't tell him yet?"
"I'm sorry. I'll talk for you if you want but I thought it should wait 'til you got here."
"Oh... uh... right..."
"Let's sit down," dad said decisively.
I nodded and sat down on the couch with him, gesturing to Alex to sit down too.
"Okay Lauren told me your mom kicked you out... what did you do? You're not into drugs are you?"
"No... no it's nothing like that."
"What is it then? You must have done something wrong. Your mom loves you, she wouldn't kick you out for no reason."
"Steve it's not like that," Lauren put in, "just listen to her."
I nibbled at the skin on my lips, "Uh... well... mom got really angry 'cause she found out... well I told her... sort of... that I... that Alex and me... that I'm... uh..."
"What?"
"Gay," I blurted out, then felt my face go red.
"Oh... oh okay. Cool," he nodded, "wait... Rita kicked you out because of that?!"
"Uh... yeah," I was amazed at his reaction. He didn't seem to mind at all.
"I don't think she's actually allowed to do that. Not legally."
"Well she did... and... well she told me not to call her 'mom' anymore so... I guess it's changed everything. She doesn't wanna know me."
Dad rubbed my arm, "I'll talk to her. Not right now, but soon. Right now it might make it worse."
"Yeah," I agreed, "... do you think she'll change her mind?"
"I don't know honey, she can be a difficult woman... but you can stay with me as long as you want to..."
"But your dad has news for you too," Lauren interrupted.
"Oh... what is it?" I frowned.
Dad looked nervous, "Uh... see the thing is... I'm engaged."
"Oh... like getting married engaged?"
"Yeah," he nodded.
"Congratulations."
"... you're not mad?"
"No... I don't really get why you've never said you're seeing someone but... well it's a good thing, right?"
Why would he think I'd be mad? Him and mom hardly spoke so it's not like I was under any delusions of them getting together.
"She's really nice," Lauren put in, "she has a kid."
"Cool."
"You really don't mind?" Said dad, looking puzzled.
I shrugged, "why would I?"
He shrugged back, "so... Alex is your...?"
"Girlfriend," I nodded.
"Cool... do your parents know you're here?"
"Yeah," Alex said. She must have called them before she drove back for me.
"Do you guys want some juice or anything?" Lauren asked, getting up.
I started to shake my head, but dad nudged me, "have a coke or something... I'm gonna go out for a quick smoke."
"Does he still smoke pot?" I asked Lauren when he was gone.
"I don't know... we'll find out when we see how he smells when he's back."
"Is this woman actually nice?" I wondered, "and her kid?"
"Yeah, she's okay."
"Does she know I exist?" I asked nervously. Conveniently forgetting to mention his daughter seemed like something dad would do.
"Yeah, she's always nagging your dad to let her meet you."
"Ha... she's gonna be so disappointed when she actually does," I snorted. I turned to Alex, "won't your dads be worried you're not back yet? I guess it's getting a little late..."
"No, they understand, but I guess I should go back now I know you're safe."
"... thank you," I said sincerely, "for everything."
"Don't mention it," she grinned.
I pecked her cheek, "I love you."
"I love you too."
I walked her out to her car. We met dad on the way and I noticed that he didn't smell suspicious.
"Alex I'm really sorry about this whole thing," I said as she got into her car, "I owe you big time-"
"Don't even start," she interrupted, smiling, "don't you dare apologise. Not for this... call me if you have any problems, right? I mean, call me anyway. Tomorrow?"
"Yeah, of course," I assured her, "... I really do love you."
"I love you too."
I leaned in the window of her car and kissed her, then she drove off, waving at me. I sighed, smiling, almost forgetting the shit that was going on. I looked up to the window of the 2nd floor apartment and saw dad and Lauren staring out at me intently. I shook my head, laughing as they noticed me and jumped away from the window.