Surfing for Love

Chapter 2

The next morning my mother scuffed down to the kitchen in her robe and pajama pants.

"Have you thought about it?" My mother asked, and took a sip of her coffee.

"Getting ninth place yesterday? Yes, I have," I said getting up.

"Arielle, wait," She said, forcing me to turn around. I crossed my arms, ready to listen.

"I meant visiting your father. I really think it's a good idea," She told me. I took a deep breath, and stared at the floor. "Well?" She asked.

"I don't want to go for him," I started.

"You want to go to surf," Mom finished my sentence, and I nodded. "Alright." She said.

She didn't say anything else, so I went to my room.

•••

That night I was researching my competition when mom came in. She sat on my bed, but I continued typing at my desk.

"I ordered the plane tickets," She said. I kept typing. "The flights in two days," She added.

"Then I guess I better start packing-alone," I said. Mom smoothed her pants and sighed.

"Don't be mad," She said.

"I'm not."

"You seem mad,"

"Well I'm not." I reasurred her, pointing to the door. She silently left.

•••

The flight was long and boring. When we got off, Dad was standing there, arms open, readyto hug us. Sage dropped her bags and ran up to him.

"Hey, Sage!" He hoisted her up.

"Hey daddy." Sage hugged his neck.

"You're getting so big! Eight years old?" he asked. I took Sage's bags and headed to the door.

"Aye, Arielle!" My dad called. I turned around.

"What?" I asked.

"Where ya going? You didn't think I would forget about you, did you?" He asked. I laughed a little. My dad noticed. "Hey, don't be like that." He said.

"Why should I not be like this?" I asked. He shrugged.

"Because you get unlimitted surfing here," He said, putting Sage down.

"That's not what the doctor said," Sage chimmed in, once again. I glared at her.

"The doctor?" Dad asked. I just held up my finger. "How did that happen?"

"It's a long story," I confirmed. We walked to his car.

"So, what do you guys want for dinner? I could pick up something or-"

"I'm not hungry," I told him. Dad looked over at me, then down at Sage, for her answer.

"Can we have some chicken?" She asked.

"Sure," He answered. "Sure we can."

•••

His house was medium sized. It was right on the beach. I remembered visiting Six years ago, when my parents had just divorced. I was 10. That was back when I still trusted my father. I trusted he would call on my birthday, and write my letters. But he didn't call or write me letters. I was silent during dinner, as dad and Sage talked about school and the beach. I sat silent. When I was finished eating I quietly tried to escape to the back porch, Facing the ocean. I sat for a few minutes, until Dad joined me.

"So whats new with you?" He asked. But I just got up and retired to bed.