Who Knew

1

This was the third time. The third time my dad called saying that he will get home late. Usually he got home at a decent time. But not for the last three days. I know my dad was a lawyer, but he was not a workaholic. He never had been. I didn't know why he was starting to stay at work late. Unless he was not at work. He could be with a woman.

I couldn't imagine my dad with a woman. I had been the only lady in his life for the past ten years. He hadn't been in an actual relationship since my mom. That woman left me and my dad so she can pursue her dreams in Paris. She left ten years ago. I hadn't seen her in that long. I was only six years old. I remembered everything that happened.

My mom came home with a bright, radiant smile on her her face when she first told us after coming home from work. I couldn't fully understand at my young age, so I was happy for my mom. She was telling me all the good things about modeling while my dad just sat back and stayed quiet. I noticed his mood changes, and I asked him why he wasn't happy about mama being a model. That was when daddy actual broke it down that she was leaving for a while. I started to cry and begged my mom not to leave.

Once mama found out that daddy told me what was really going on, my parents started arguing. I remember them screaming and yelling at each one night. It started to become a regular. I guess they didn't realize it was keeping me up.

The last night before mama's departure. They had the biggest argument yet. I heard a door slam. I came out my room that time. I went into the living room and saw daddy crying. Tears were coming out of his eyes. I remembered him holding me whispering to me saying that he didn't know what he was going to do. I was so young then that I didn't know what to do. I just let him cry as I hugged him back.

None of us ended up getting any sleep. At the airport, there was tension. Daddy and mama wasn't too much talking to each other while I was crying my eyes out at the reality that my mama was leaving me.

Once it was time to say our goodbyes, mama gave me and daddy a hug and left us standing there at the airport so she can live it up in Paris. She kept saying she had to stay longer and longer. Soon we lost contact with her. We never seen or heard from her again. So I just forgot about her since she forgot about us.

I didn't know exactly what to think about my dad being with a woman, so I called my best friend Ranea to see if she thinks the same thing I'm thinking.

Ranea. Hey girl.

Miesha. Quick question? If a man says that he is coming home late, does that mean he's with a woman.

Ranea laughed into the phone. I was so confused because I didn't know what was so funny.

Miesha. Ranea, what is funny?

Ranea. You sound like a wife who suspects her husband to be cheating.

She laughed again except this time longer. I was being serious, and she was making jokes.

Miesha. You're no help

Ranea. Okay I'm for real now. Why you ask though?

Miesha. I think my dad is seeing a woman.

Ranea. What makes you think that?

Miesha. Because he hasn't came home on time in three days. He could be working late, but I don't think so.

Ranea. That doesn't mean he's seeing a woman.

Miesha. But he never works late.

Ranea. Okay so what if he is dating a woman.

Miesha. I don't know. I've been his only focus beside his job for ten years. Putting a woman into the equation wouldn't feel right. Besides, how will he know if she's the one.