World Behind My Wall (A7X/The Rev)

Chapter 26|Everybody's Got A Dark Side

When I woke up the next morning around eight-thirty, Rylie was still sleeping soundly beside me. I watched her for a few minutes, smiling to myself as I studied every inch of her gorgeous face. Then, feeling kind of hungry, I decided to get up and go downstairs to get something to eat. I very carefully pulled the covers back off of me and swung my legs off the side of the bed, not wanting to wake Rylie. 

Once I was successfully my on my feet, I covered Rylie back up and tiptoed my way out of the room and into the hall, heading for the top of the stairs. I jogged down the steps, my feet hitting lightly as I descended, coming into the living room and rounding the corner, thinking about what it was that I was going to eat. But when I walked into the kitchen and saw my Dad sitting at the table, reading the paper like he does every morning, I just stopped and looked at him. Mom wasn't around, she must still be asleep. We're the only ones awake. 

Talk about awkward.

He glanced at me from his paper, and I looked away and continued to the cupboard where we keep the cereal. I looked at the different types we had and grabbed the box of Froot Loops, closing the cupboard door and setting the box on the counter, ready to head for the refrigerator to get the milk. But before I had the chance, Dad spoke out.

"James," I looked over my shoulder at him. "Come here. Sit down for a moment." 

Without saying anything, I walked over to the table and sat next to him. Unable to meet his eyes, I still felt bad about what I said even though I apologized. I wasn't sure if he truly knew how bad about it I felt. I'd acted like such a jerk, and it wasn't until I'd said something I would regret badly that I was able to see it. If Rylie hadn't pointed it out, I would still be fighting with my father.

"I do accept your apology." He said, and I felt a pressure being removed from my chest. "And perhaps I've been hassling you, but that wasn't what I was trying to do. It's just so hard to get you to listen to me when you keep fighting back without really giving it a chance."

"I know, and I'm sorry. I'm willing to listen now, though. I promise I won't get upset or interrupt you. I want to talk about this with you, I do." 

He nodded. "Alright. But I think you already know what the message was that I was trying to get across to you. I know you did hear enough of it to understand what I'm warning you about. Jimmy, I know Rylie makes you happy and I'm glad that you are happy. And you were right when I accused Rylie of being a bad influence, it was wrong of me to say that. She's great girl, and I think she's very well put together. But because you're so happy, and I want to see you stay happy, I don't want you to rush into marriage. You have plenty of time for that. If you're planning to marry her someday, that's fine. I look forward to being at the wedding. Just make sure it's when it's right, and that it's what both of you want." 

"I will, Dad. I don't want to get married if it's not what I want or not what she wants either, y'know. It's not like we're talking about getting married, we're not even talking about it in the future. It's just a thought I've had, I decided when we were in middle school that she was the girl I wanted to marry someday. I'm not sure if you can understand it, but I've been in love with her long before we ever started dating. But I promise you, if it doesn't seem right, then I won't propose. I'm not rushing into anything." I assured him.

He smiled. "Good. I'm sorry for hassling you when it was just that easy."

I shook my head. "Nah, you weren't hassling me. You were just trying to help me, and I made it harder than it should've been. Thanks, Dad."

"You're welcome." He said, and we stood up to hug each other. 

When he let go of me, he patted my back and I went back to getting myself a bowl of Froot Loops. I poured the milk into the ball after getting a large amount of cereal, and sat down at the table with Dad, continuing to talk to him as I ate.