The Lost City of Atlantis

Chapter 3 - So-Called Family

I couldn't believe it. All this time, ten years of wondering and after all this time he was right here... Right here in Honolulu. I don't even know how it's possible I never saw him at the grocery store or something. Still can't believe it. I thought as I watched the scenery passing by. Right now I was in the backseat of the social service ladys' car driving toward... wherever it is that my father lives. As I thought that the car turned up a private road, toward the top of a mountain.

Once the car came to a stop and I looked out the window, the first thing I thought was - HO-LY SHIT!! I do not remember my father being rich, how in the world can he afford this type of house. I grabbed my backpack and my camera from the seat next to me and stepped out of the Toyota Camry. As I started walking to the front door my mind was fighting an inside battle of how to greet him, all the while the second social service lady whom I still have no idea of her name grabbed my suitcase from the trunk. I turned back to the front door and hesitantly started walking when I was finally in front of the door I reached over and rang the doorbell.

"Does he know that I'm coming?" I asked not even turning to look at her, I just kept my gaze solely focused on the door and wondered how long I had to wait before he opened it.

"Yes, he does. We called him..." She didn't even get to finish her sentence before the door opened and there stood my father. He looked almost exactly the way he did when I last saw him, except for the fact that he started balding a little. I stood there staring at him comparing him to the last time I saw him. He was the first one to break the silence, "Jessie! Look at you, you grew up so fast! The last time I saw you you were this tall," he said making hand motions with his surprisingly huge hands. I wanted to give him my snarkiest comeback yet, but I held back my anger planting the most artificial smile on my face. He smiled back but his smile was genuine. He moved out of the way and ushered us inside. I walked past him my smile faltering, god I want to slap him so hard right now. He didn't even look like the fact that we hadn't seen each other in over 10 years bothered him. As if just yesterday we had parted ways and today we're meeting up again. That was the worst metaphor I could come up with, ugh.

"Would you like to sit down and have a drink?" he asked politely.

" Yes. And we could sign the paperwork while we're at that," lady #1 said. I really have no intention of figuring out their names but not knowing their names is really pissing me off. I take off my backpack and quietly sit down on the modern sofa.

"Oh Agnus could take your stuff to your room if you'd like, and while she's at that she can give you a tour while we sign the papers." His tone was really beginning to piss me off, considering the fact that he talked to me as if I was a child. 'I'm not your little girl anymore ****face!' I wanted to yell, but instead, I shook my head and gave him a "Hm" in response. I stood up and picked up my backpack from the ground just as Agnus came.

"This way dear," she said. She was an elderly woman but not too old, mid 50's I'd say. She wore a purple button-up blouse tucked into an orange pencil skirt, to top it all off she wore white wedges with stockings. She seemed like the kind of person people would get along great with, friendly and outgoing.

"How has your day been so far, dear?" she asked, trying to make small talk. I honestly wasn't in any mood for small talk but even still I responded with, "My day's been alright. How about yours."

"Oh, my day was lovely dear. Thank you for asking." Not long after that, we came upon a door, a plain white door. "This will be your room dear."

"Thank you and you can just call me Jessie."

"Alright, can I get you anything, Jessie."

"Um...," I hesitated for a bit before continuing, "No, no thank you. I'm all good. Thank you though."