Our Relationship

Chapter 3

I wrapped him in a big hug and he hugged me back.

"My Anna banana. You've grown up. You look beautiful."

I blushed and looked at my father. We left the hug and sat down at the table. Dad everyone a hug before sitting down. Sarah and Charlotte were shocked. This was Charlotte's first time seeing Dad. Sarah hasn't seen him since she was two.

"How has the farm been going?" Dad asked while we were all eating

"Been doing good. Usually sales." mom answered.

"How have my lovely daughters been?" Dad smiled at me, Sarah, and Charlotte.

Charlotte bursted into tears.

"Charlotte what's the matter?" asked mom

"Its... I... don't have any memory of seeing dad and now I see him when I'm fourteen. I'm ok. I'm just super happy."

Dad walked over. Charlotte stood and he hugged her tight.

"Well, good thing I plan on staying." Dad smiled at Charlotte

The back door opened and a cold breeze rushed through the house. It was Jack. He looked at me and then looked at my dad. He was dirty, hair was messed up. His nose was a light purple.

He shook my dad's hand.

"Hi Sir."

"Hiram Kinsley."

Jack nodded

"So what brings you here?"

"He's one of my sisters friends kid."

"May I ask what he's doing here?"

"He's here for work.... Could I tell you the rest somewhere else?"

Jack looked at me with a gloomy face. I never knew why he was here. I'm guessing his story isn't so great.

"Yeah."

"Jack, sit down and eat your food." My mom gestured to a chair

Jack sat down and began eating.

After supper, I washed the dished and went to bed. I laid in bed for a while before overhearing my parents.

"Alice, you never told me some stranger's baby was living with us."

"Hiram, Susan's friend Eleanor had Jack she didn't want him. She gave him to Susan hoping she would take of him. Susan didn't want to after two years, so I volunteered to watch out after him."

"Alice he's old enough, why isn't he gone?"

"Hiram, I can't do that. He's here for work."

Hiram sighed.

"I'm gonna watch that boy. If he does anything stupid. He going."

Alice nodded.

Anna closed her eyes and dreamt to sleep.

I woke to the smell of pancakes and syrup. Still in my pajamas, I went to the kitchen to eat. I must've gotten up late, Dad, Sarah, and Charlotte were sitting at the table. Mom was behind the counter cooking some pancakes. I piled my plate with pancakes and syrup.

"Today I want some help repainting the barn."

Mom gave dad a surprised look.

"Don't worry, I already bought the paint."

"Want me to help Sir?" asked Jack

"Yes. In fact I will be in charge if your pay gets cut."

Jack looked at my father. Mom was shaking her head at Dad clearly telling to hush it down.

"Sir, you can't do that. Alice said I'm payed..."

"Hiram."

My dad looked at my mom as she nodded no.

Dad took a deep breath

"Call me Hiram." My dad scooted his chair and left the table.

Mom chased after him. We could hear faint talking in their bedroom.

Jack looked at me.

"Jack don't feel bad. He's like this when he's pissed, he'll stop soon."

"I don't feel bad. I feel disappointed that I don't have the respect of my step-father. I can get it though. But it takes time."

Jack's answer shocked me. I kept on eating. After a while mom and dad came back.

"Let's go paint that barn." Dad's voice was exciting and Sarah and Charlotte rushed their plates to the sink to follow dad outside.

Jack finished his food and walked out. I walked out behind him.

Dad grabbed two paint cans.

"Everyone grab a can of paint. Jack grab the brushes and a can."

After dad set down a can of paint, he went a grabbed two ladders. Jack did the same.

Dad, jack, Charlotte climbed up the ladders while me and Sarah painted the bottom.

"Why is dad so... so heated with Jack?"

"Honestly, I don't know. Something must've happened. Dad only does that when he's super pissed."

"Maybe something happened over the past fourteen years."

"You never know."

We were painting till I noticed the sun was setting. Jack noticed too because he asked Dad if we could stop for the night. Surprisingly, Dad said yes. I grabbed a horse and got ready to ride off.

"Anna wait!"

"Oh NO! You're not riding on the same horse as me."

"I don't want to. I want to come with you. I'll bring my own horse."

I rolled my eyes and waited for him to come back with his horse.

We rode off into the forest. Once we reached the field I tied my horse to the fence. I walked to my spot and sat down.

We both sat there in silence watching the sunset.

"Anna, why is your dad pissed at me?"

"I don't know. You ask him"

"You aren't going to come with me every night are you?"

"No. I have chores. I just had questions."

We sat there in silence for a few more minutes before heading back home.

After putting the horse back into their stalls, we headed to the house.

"Where were you guys?" I stopped abruptly to see my dad.

"Uh..... We were taking care of the horses."

"Anna please go inside."

Anna walked inside.

"What were you doing with Anna?"

"We were in a field Anna likes to go."

"Did you watch the sunset?"

"Yes. That's all we did rode there and back after the sunset."

Dad knew that Anna would do anything to watch the sunset and seeing Jack tag along with her, didn't make him too happy.