Red and White Flags || Oliver Sykes

2

I rub my eyes as I slowly got out of bed. I didn't get any of sleep, but I'm used to it now. I haven't fully slept for the past month. It's all because of him. Who you may ask? Well, I don't like bringing up his name. It just brings back so many unwanted memories. I walked into my daughter's room and turned on the lights. "Wake up Cassie, it's time for school."

"Ugh, I don't want to go." Cassie groaned.

"Come on Cass, this is your last full week of school. You only have 5 more days of school, and then it's summer."

"But I don't want to go. We aren't doing anything in my class, so it's  not like I'm missing out on anything."

"Well, your friends are going to want you there, so go ahead and get up."

"Fine." Cassie whined as she slowly got out of bed.

I headed downstairs and started to make breakfast. I turned the tv on , and kept it on the channel it was previously on. I made my coffee and continued on with the breakfast. Cassie came down ten minutes later.

"Mom, I have a question."

"What's up ?"

"Why did you move to America? I mean, it's obvious that you were from Great Britain because of your accent. What made you move here?"

"Um, I just felt like it. I just wanted a new scenery ."

I couldn't just tell her that her grandmother hated me, and that her father left us for a band, so I had to make that up.

"Do you miss it up there, and why don't I ever see grandma?"

"What's with all the questions Cass?"

"I don't know. I'm just curious. Can I ask one more?"

"Go ahead."

"Why haven't I've seen my dad? I do have a dad right?"

"Cassie, stop with the questions and eat your breakfast."

"This always happens! You always change the subject when I talk about my dad. Why won't you ever talk about him?"

"There's nothing to tal- "

"You always say that. Never mind, I shouldn't have even asked."

She turned around and stared at the tv. I want to tell her about her father, but I just can't. It would break her heart knowing that her father left us for a stupid band. She took the remote and changed it to the music channel. Doomed by bring me the horizon was playing.

"This band is actually pretty good, and the lead singer isn't that bad looking." Cassie said.

"Turn that mess off. They are nothing but noise. And the lead singer looks like a drug addict."

"You always tell me to turn it off every time they come on. And I did read that the lead singer used to have a problem with ketamine, but that doesn't make him a drug addict. You always talk crap about them like you have a huge problem with them."

"Whatever, just turn that off."

"Ugh, fine."

It was now 7:15, and the bus was right around the corner. Cassie waited outside and got on the bus. The bus pulled off, and I decided to go and check the mail. The mailbox was filled with more mail than usual, but I'm Pretty sure half of it is junk mail.

I went inside and flipped through all of the mail, and as I guessed, most of it was junk mail. A couple of them were bills and taxes, but one of them was letter from Sheffield.  Curiously, I opened the letter and started to read it.

Dear Natalie,
We haven't talked in a long time, and I just wanted to see how you were. I guess I'll go ahead and say it, I've messed up. I really miss you, and there hasn't been a day that you haven't crossed my mind. I also missed out on my own daughters life. She's 13, right? She must be the prettiest girl out there, probably got the boys all over her. Anyway, my band is coming down there on the 20 for our last American tour for this album, and I was wondering if we can meet up. I bought you and Cassie two tickets and backstage passes so we can see each other. I know, I could've done this a long time ago, but I've gotten caught up in the music. I really hope we can meet up. I would've texted you all of this, but you've changed your number, and your parents won't give me your new one, even though I know that they probably don't have it either. They did give me your new address though. Pennsylvania seems very nice. I cant wait to meet you two.
Love, Oliver Sykes

I was hit with so many emotions after reading the letter. I was happy because he finally reached out to us, but I was also filled with anger. Why would he wait until now to try and fix everything. He left us in the first place, why should I allow him back in my life. All of this made no sense whatsoever. He's a complete dick thinking that he can just crawl his way back into our life's, but I do miss him, and Cassie never met him. Maybe he changed over the years. Maybe he really wants to become a family. What am I talking about? He left. He left me for the music. He cares more about the music than us. I went through the envelope and found the two tickets and backstage passes. Maybe i should just go and give this a chance , or maybe this is just a huge red flag, and I should burn this all. I guess we would just have to see.