The Mental Disorder

Chapter 16

I felt Chandler and Dree stare at me. I cleared my voice realizing that my voice sounded vulnerable.

"Look right now is not a good time can I call you back?" I asked not wanting to speak to him while Chandler or Dree were present.

"I suppose. But if I don't answer you know what happened." He replied and the phone went dead.

When we were younger my dad used to always tell my brother and I that if we ever called him, and he never answered it ment that the police finally caught him. It was either that or one of his sponsors has him in their basements again.

My family didn't always have the money for one of his inventions. So he would have sponsers that would lend him the money and he would give them 20% of his earnings. Well lately his inventions haven't been selling. His sponsors have been getting angry and would sometimes kidnap him and force him to be their slave around his or her's house.

He would always get out and be home for dinner. But he usually returned with battle scars. Mom didn't like that.

And his inventions weren't always legal. Which mom also didn't like.

"You okay?"Chandler asked.

"Fine." I said looking at my phone bewildered.

How did he find my phone number? Because those thick yellow phone books don't exsist anymore. So how?

"I have never heard you talk about your dad before. Was he a good man?" Dree asked.

"I don't know."

"Will I ever meet him?"

"I don't know."

"Will I ever meet your mom or your brother?"

Air caught in my throat. Tears stung my eyes. I coughed feeling very uncomfortable. "I don't know. Stop asking me questions." I said.

She did as I said sensing she hit a nerve.

Chandler gave me side glances every chance he got. When we finally rolled up in front of the building we called home, I tried to leave the car but he grabbed my elbow.

"I have to unlock the door for Dree. So please let me go." I said barely holding back my tears.

"Your not okay."

"No shit Sherlock. Let me go."

He gave me a pointed look. "Fine, but I'm coming inside with you."

I rolled my eyes. He let go of my elbow and I entered the building.

When we were inside there was a note on the kitchen table. It was my Uncle's handwriting.

It said:
Hey Jade! I went to go get a couple from the store I'll be back in like half an hour. Don't miss me to much.
Love Ray Ray <3

A weird feeling passed through my stomach. I stared at the note for a bit. There was no sign of a rush in his letters. There was no blood on it and no hidden meanings.

I let out a breath and stuffed the note in my pocket.

"I'm hungry." Dree stated popping out of no where.

"Jesus child! Do you not know how to knock?" I asked nearly jumping on the table.

"It's a kitchen Jade, I'm not going to knock. Why are you so jumpy?"

"It's nothing. Go make Chandler make food for you. I'm going to my room." I said pushing past her.

Chandler was sitting on the couch and giving me a weird look. He must have heard the exchanged conversation with Dree.

I just ignored him and went to my room. I laid on my bed conteplenting about calling my father again. It was to late. I heard the ringing tone before knew was was happened.

"Hello?" He answered on the third ring.

"Uh hey, it's me. Jade." I said nervously. I picked at the chain around my neck.

"Oh hello! How are you! I missed you!" He said with enthusiasm.

"Then why didn't you call sooner or visited. You don't even know how I look like." I blurted.

"I didn't want to endanger you. You see the government is after me again. They are listening to our conversation right now. Their probably trying to track me down now. So I have limited time to talk. They're coming after you and our family. And possibly your friends. Look I can't say everything on the phone but I know where you are so meet me at the place tomorrow at 6pm. I love you and stay safe." The phone went silent.

What place? I got up and paced the room thinking.

Okay think. Have I ever been to California with dad?

I placed my fingers at my temples. That was always an old habit of mine when I thought hard. I got glimpses and pieces of a donut shop. My father smiling. Gabe shoving something down his throat. He had sprinkles on his face. I remember laughing at him. We sat at a booth in the back of the shop. I remember getting free donuts because the owner of the shop had a thing for my father.

I saw a street sign. Penn Avenue. It was near a Giant.

Yes! I remember now.

I stopped pacing when I smelled the most delicious smell ever. I stepped outside my room and followed the smell to the kitchen.

Standing there was Chandler with a smirk on his smug face. Behind him was Dree gobbling up spaghetti. She had some sauce on her cheeks. She looked cute but the food she eating was what I was more interested in.

Chandler blocked my view and raised an eye brow. He still had a smirk on his dumb face.

I bit my bottom lip. "Uh, what day is today?" I said acting like I came here for a simple question.

"Friday." His deep voice rumbled. "Is that all you want to ask?"

"Um, yes, yes it is." My stomach growled disagreeing with my statement.

"Your stomach says something else." He said with a knowing look.

"I have no idea what are you talking about. I'll be watching t.v. if you need me." I turned away before I could embarrass myself any further. But not before my stomach belched out another grumble. This time it shook my core.

I heard him chuckle.

Ug.

I turned on the t.v. to Cartoon Network once more today.

Damn. It's already the weekend. I'm going to dread what's gonna happen on Sunday.

Chandler soon joined me on the couch with a plate of spaghetti and a reasonable size of garlic bread. He offered it to me with a smile.

I took it gratefully. I gave him an award winning smile. "Thanks Chandler." I took a bite and I was in heaven. I let out a moan. "Why is this so good?" I questioned.

"I'm Italian." Was his only response.

That's probably why this pasta taste amazing. Thank you Italians.

"So what are your plans this weekend?"

"Uh. Tomorrow morning I'm taking Dree to a self defense class. And then the rest of my day is packed. Why?" I said taking a bite of my bread, thinking about meeting my dad for the first time in 10 years.

"What are you doing for the rest of the day tomorrow?" he asked curiously.

"Stuff. Why?"I replied not wanted to tell him.

He looks disappointed that I didn't spill. "Well I wanted to take you a date tomorrow but..."he said trailing off.

"I'm free Sunday." I said automatically.

He gave me a breath taking smile. "It's a date." He said as he kissed me on my forehead.