Ball Is Life

Chapter 6.2

India

Chris handed me the phone while looking at me in pity. I don't understand why he doesn't understand that I don't want to call my dad. He doesn't understand that what my dad is going through isn't something that I want to put myself in.

"You said you were gonna call home. You promised." Chris said pushing the phone into my hand when I placed it on the bed next to me.

"And what am I gonna say? Hey dad. Are you gonna leave mom cause That's what it sounds like."

"No." Chris said shaking his head at my sarcastic talk. "You can talk to him and see how he's doing. That's a start.

"He's an asshole. You see how he's changed since we gone off to college? I wish my brother could be there for her, he's all she got right now."

"Well, why don't you talk to your dad and then we can call your brother."

I nodded and looked down at the phone in my hand. I dailed my dad's number and put it up to my ear. It rang a few times before my dad picked up.

"Westbrooks speaking."

"Daddy."

"India?"

"Yes." I nodded to myself.

"What's up Indie?"

I looked over at Chris and put the phone on speaker.

"I've been talking to mom and she says you switched to girls basketball coach."

"Yeah, and? So?"

"I was just wondering why such a changed?"

"Girls are so much easier. Prime example, Chris and Michael." My dad chuckled.

Chris had a sour look on his face and it made me laugh.

"Was that funny? I thought it was funny."

"Dad, I called to actually talk to you about-."

"Hmp." My dad scoffed. "You must've talked to your mother?"

"Yeah, I did and I feel like you need-."

"Well, I'm twice your age so I think you can keep your feelings and needs to yourself, India. You don't tell me what I need to do because I'm your father and you're my daughter. Not the other way around."

I breathed in my nose and out before looking over at Chris emotionless face. He nodded towards the phone and I mentally cussed Chris out for making me call my dad.

"Look, all I'm saying is my mother is my business. And when you are hurting her after all the Bullshit shes been through with you, is fucked up. Now you NEED to get your shit together and fix it with my mother now. Or PLEASE. Save her the fucking heart break." My chest moved up and down as my breathing picked up.

Getting emotional hasn't been a new thing. The past few months everything could hurt my feelings or have me feeling some type of way. Being emotional wasn't a new thing but the way my life is set up right now, it won't end anytime soon.

My dads laughter sounded from the other side of the phone. I looked confused. Why was he fucking laughing at me?!

"Dad are you stepping out on mom?"

My dads laughter stopped and I could hear his breathing on the other side of the phone..

"India, I love you, your brother and.sister, and your mother. All your life I've been there. I've been married and working since I was eighteen years old. I never got to live my fucking life. And god. When your mother had Mal. Lord. I swear it felt like I spent twenty five grand in two months on your mother and him. Oh god. Jamal, he was always shittin' and pissing." My dad sniffed. "Then three years later she had you and Cry. We didn't even know it was twins. Crystal was covering you. She was protecting you from us."

He laughed as tears rolled down my face. Chris held on to my hand.

"But when you both came into the world, we loved you two like no other. But then that was an extra fifty grand." He laughed. "But, I had no life out of you four. Me falling in love with your mother and having to grow up so soon.... I never had time to experience life. Now, that my children are out and away at college and starting their life; its time for me to start mine."

"There is one thing I need to know."

"What's that India?"

"Are you having an affair on my mother?"

The line was silent and I looked over to Chris and I began crying. Chris pulled me into his chest rubbing my back.

"Its okay babe. Its okay." He said soothing me..

"Chris." My dad called out to Chris. Chris took the phone from my hand and put it up to his ear after taking it off speaker.

Chris didn't say a word as he ended the phone call. I laid in chris arms and cried until I couldn't cry anymore and eventually I stopped.

Chris holding me to his warm body was making me feel good and warm. If he kept doing that I will be knocked out.

"Chris."

"Yes babe?"

"Can you make love to me?"

Chris hand stopped moving in a circular motion and I could feel his eyes on me.

"India...-"

"Chris, I don't think we have ever made love. I just think we always fucked. Our first time wasn't special. We fucked in the basement of your friends house cause we got locked in for two hours."

I looked to in Chris's face and he looked into mine..

"Please."

Chris nodded and I smiled before pushing myself up on my elbows to kiss Chris lips.

"Can you do something you've never done to me?"

"What is that?" Chris asked.

"Eat La Box."

Chris had the biggest grin I have ever seen on his face. I laughed as he quickly rolled over on top of me and kissed me softly.

"I love you India."

"I love you too Chris."