"Was all that true dad? Am I really that important to you?" I said recalling what the pastor had said to me about me being important to my father.
"Of course, sweetie. Why would you think that you aren't important to me?"
I looked up at him with sad eyes not really wanting to bring up the past but he did ask.
"Dad you left when I needed you the most so, I'm sorry if I question the importance of me being in your life."
He sighed and dragged his hand down his face. I could tell he was not ready to hear that but that's the truth. I know he loves me but I'm not sure if I am that important to him. Now everything is fine but only time will tell if he is truly recovered.
"Look Angel, I'm here now and I love you deeply. I can't change the past but I can definitely try to make up for it."
"Okay, dad. I love you too."
He reached across the diner table and kissed me on my forehead before he proceeded to talk again.
"Now, the reason I brought you is so I could talk to you about something very important."
I momentarily stopped drinking my milk shake and gestured for him to continue talking.
"You're mom loved you very much and she wanted to make sure you were taken care of even after she was gone. She had set up a account for you as soon as you were born and she put money away for you every chance she got."
"Okay, dad where is this going?" I asked now suspicious of what was to come of this conversation.
"Just let me finish okay." I sat back and waited for him to finish his piece even though I already had an idea of what was going on.
"Your mom wouldn't let no one in the account, not even me. She also would not even touch the money even when we were late on bills or we needed something for the house. She always said that's not my money to use." He paused momentarily to reminisce and then he continued.
"She also had taken out a life insurance policy for herself for when she died so again you would be taken care of even after she was gone. I found out that she didn't leave me a dime. Not a single one and that hurt Angel. I took care of her and loved her like I was supposed to do but she didn't leave me a single penny in her last will and testament."
"If you're looking for money I don't have it. I don't even know how to get to it."
"Baby girl that's because you're not eighteen yet. Once you turn eighteen the lawyer will contact you and you will sign some papers and the boom all that money is ours."
"Ours?" I said looking at him like he was crazy.
"Yes, it's ours. You wouldn't want to take care of your dear ole dad after you get rich? I took care of your remember?" He said getting upset. I now looked into the eyes of a man I no longer knew.
"Aunt Trish was right you're only after the money." I was stunned and very upset. I had to leave and get far away from this stranger that I called father.
I got up from my seat and he grabbed my wrist forcefully. I pulled and yelled for him to get off of me but he wouldn't let go.
