City to Sticks

Chapter Sixteen

16—Holly P.O.V.

As weddings went, it was beautiful. The cake was huge, the flowers were gorgeous, and the cake was ginormous. The guest list was ridiculous. I felt like the whole city of Chicago had been invited. I'd done my duty, walking in with the family and sitting in the front pew. Sheila was very clearly pregnant, but didn't seem embarrassed by that fact. She was glowing and why wouldn't she be? She was getting her fairytale. I tried not to hate her, I really did, but it was hard. She was a home wrecker. She'd wrecked my home. The only reason why I didn't completely despise her is because she'd helped cause the chain of events that led me to Jake.

Now I stared around the reception and wondered how long I'd have to stay. Then my dad approached and I stiffened. There hadn't been much time for us to interact, so I wasn't sure what to prepare for. I wasn't ready for his deep sigh and apology, when he said, "I'm sorry, Holly. I'm sorry you had to see what you saw in my office. I'm sorry you had to find out about Sheila the way that you did. I'm sorry for betraying your mother and I'm not going to stand here and make excuses. I cheated. Point blank. End of story. It was wrong and I should have divorced your mother before I went there with Sheila, but I didn't. I didn't know how to end it, honestly. Whether your mother choses to admit it or not, our relationship hadn't been good for a long time. That isn't an excuse for cheating though. I'm just sorry the way that everything fell into place. Just know that I do love you, even if I haven't been doing a very good job of showing it. Sheila and I want you to come visit as often as you like. I'd like for you to know your little brother, when he arrives."

I waited, unsure if he was finished, and then I waited some more. How did I even respond to all of that? I had no idea what to say, so I found myself blurting, "I met someone...in Hugoton. His name is Jake and he's...I love him. He asked me to marry him. Maybe you could walk me down the aisle when the time comes?"

That was all I was willing to give my dad at this point in time and, apparently, it was enough, because his eyes kind of got misty and he nodded, "I'd love that."

He was then summoned by his new bride to the cake table. I caught Sheila's eye and she gave me a tentative smile. I was feeling generous, so I smiled in return. I didn't see what happened after that because someone suddenly blocked my view. I glanced up to see, "Kyle."

He smiled, "Hello, Holly, I've missed you. You're looking good. Apparently life in the country agrees with you."

I straightened my spine, "Yes, it does."

His eyes dipped to my chest, "You're really looking good."

"What do you want, Kyle?" I asked, growing annoyed.

"I've tried to call you a couple times." His eyes not leaving my boobs.

"Yes, I dropped my phone into a sink of soapy water."

"That sucks."

"Not really. I dropped it on purpose." I say and his eyes finally meet mine.

"You're different." He said, almost accusingly.

I nodded, "Yes, I am. I can see through people's bullshit now. I can see how shallow you are and how we never would have worked out, anyway. So the fact that you were fucking my ex-best friend doesn't really matter. None of it matters. I have a new best friend now and she'd never do that to me. I have a new boyfriend now and I love him. I can't believe I ever wasted my time on you."

Kyle blinked, looking at me like I was speaking a foreign language. Then he suddenly grinned, "Damn, you're hot when you're all indifferent like that. Do you want to go somewhere more private?"

"Are you shitting me? Go away, Kyle. You might be a cheater, but I'm not and even if I were single, I wouldn't touch you with a ten foot pole." I tell him and walk away. I was done with him. I was done with this town. I just wanted to get back to Jake, but my flight wasn't until morning, so I was stuck here for a few more hours. I planned on spending those hours locked up in my old bedroom, away from all of these posers. I doubted my dad even knew some of these people.

So I called a taxi and went back to my dad's house. It wasn't my house anymore. Sheila had completely redecorated and, while it didn't have the feel of home anymore, she hadn't done a bad job. I went up to my room and frowned upon finding a present sitting on my bed. I pulled the card free and opened it, reading:

Dear Holly,

I wasn't sure if I'd have the courage to say any of this to you in person, so here it goes. I'm sorry. I'm sorry I cheated on your mother and I'm sorry you had to see what you did. I'm sorry you and your mother had to find out about Sheila that way. I should have asked your mother for a divorce before I started seeing Sheila. I didn't and that's on me. I'm sorry for that. No excuses. I messed up. I do love Sheila though, regardless what you or your mother think. She's not the bad guy in this situation. I am. I hope you and your mother are both happy. I hope you know that you can come visit me any time. You could even move back and live with me, if you want. I wasn't sure what your college plans were, so...in this box you'll find lotions and soaps, because well it's some girly shit and you're a girl, so I hope you like it. You'll also find an envelope inside, with a check. Use that money for your future. I hope you go to college, but if you don't, use that money for your future wedding or whatever you like, really. I do love you Holly and a part of me will probably always love your mother, even though our marriage didn't work out. I love her for giving me you. Good luck in the future and I pray you'll allow me to be a part of that future.

Love, your dad.

I wiped the tears from my face, but they continued to run. I guess maybe coming to dad's wedding wasn't such a bad thing after all. At least he were able to bury some of the awkwardness between us and I didn't feel as hateful toward him. I opened the box and smiled at the "girly shit" dad gave me. I wondered if Sheila picked it out, but decided to keep the soaps and lotions anyway. Then I pulled out the envelope. I hadn't expected him to pay for college or anything, so when I opened the envelope and found a fifty thousand dollar check inside I gasped. I couldn't believe he'd given me that much. I did a mental calculation and knew that I'd be able to pay for Seward community college and be able to put up a down payment for a salon of my own, when the time was right. I grinned. I couldn't wait to tell Jake.