Dead & Gone. [UNDER REVISION]

Chapter 6: Daddy's Little Treasure.

Chapter 6: Daddy’s Little Treasure.

I swallowed the can of soda like no tomorrow. I was thirstier and hungrier than I originally thought. It was rather awkward sitting here having a ham and cheese sandwich with salted chips and a can of cola while my dad is sitting across the table watching me with an intent expression. Jimmy leaned forward in his seat and leaned on the table with his elbows as supports. He squinted his eyes at me carefully.

“Do your mom and Roger still live in Chicago?” He asked with a gruff voice. I paused when he asked about my mom. I swallowed the cola, setting down the can with saddened hesitance. I just stared at the oak table top carefully but darting my gaze to his.

“Like I said my mom walked out when I was four, she left me and Roger in Chicago.” I uttered softly. I could see him cringe slightly and a frown pressed his lips, the same lips he handed down to me genetically. I felt my heart sink sadly.

“How long did it take you to get here?” He asked breaking the tension. I sighed and munched down on the chips he had gotten me.

“It took me about four days to get from where I lived to here.” I said softly. His eyes widened with surprise and shock but it soon faded into disgust and annoyance. He rolled his eyes and heaved a deep sigh.

“So Roger dumped you here or did he send you?” He questioned with an utter. I sat straight in the seat, my bag at my feet. I shook my head and stared at him carefully.

“I ran away. I took his car and drove to Grand Island then from there I took like three separate busses. Oh! And a cab.” I exclaimed with a cheeky smirk. Jimmy shook his head and pinched the bridge of his nose with a heavy exhale. I got the feeling he was less than pleased with me.

“It’s not like I hitch hiked or anything. I might be reckless but I’m not stupid.” I said and sipped the cola. His hazel eyes shot back to mine in an instant and he stood up from across the table.

“So let me get this straight, you ran away from your home in Chicago, stole your step dad’s car. Ditched it in Grand Island and took three busses and a cab to get here. How did you even know where I lived?” He asked trying to sort things out slightly. I nodded in agreement. I was rather proud by the fact that I was sitting here, right now at the feet of my dad. I swallowed hard and grinned up at him.

“I called the operator. They told me where you lived.” I replied with a cheerful tone. I don't see what the big deal is? I am his daughter so he should be happy to see me, right? There were so many questions running through my head at once but one was the neon red in a room of grey. I stood from the seat and walked up to him, I also had his height. He was a tall guy and I was nearly as tall as him another foot and a half and we’d be the same height. I looked up at him with a quizzical expression.

“Why didn’t you stay around?” I asked with a crushing tone. He jerked back slightly, not sure if it’s the question or the smell of me. I kept my gaze locked on him as an emptiness hallowed me out. He rolled his eyes and groaned loudly.

“How do you mean?” He replied with a bull shit answer, he knew exactly what I meant. I crossed my arms over my chest and raised an eye brow at him, I only knew my dad for like an hour and already I’m giving him T.W.A.B.A, Teenager. With. A. Badass. Attitude.

“You obviously knew I existed, why didn’t you step up and help raise me?” I asked with a gruff sounding voice. He looked down at me with a frown, those hazel eyes just glaring through me. I wasn’t intimidated by him. I’ve seen much scarier people than him. He swallowed hard.

“How old are you?” He asked.

“Fourteen.” I replied quickly.

“You’re old enough to know that as a young adult you need to make hard choices. Your mom lived in Long Beach as a teen. She and I dated for a while then she told me she was having you. I was only fourteen. She decided to tell me that I wasn’t the father and leave. I knew it was a lie. I was the only person she was with at the time. But if she didn’t want me in your life then that’s that.” He cut a long story short. It was hard for me to hear this. I knew my mom was selfless and stubborn but she couldn’t raise me on her own. I stood there and watched him as tears welled up in his eyes.

“Believe me I wanted to be apart of your life but she wouldn’t let me. But every year I got out and buy you a birthday card and a bunch of other cards.” He said, his words made the tears fall from my eyes. I couldn’t believe this. He wasn’t such a horrible man after all. He was tough looking with all his tattoos and piercings but inside he was the Stay Puff marsh mellow man.

I was pulled into his chest as his arms were wrapped around me tightly. I couldn’t help but sob into his chest. I could hear his heart beat against my ear and the amount of cologne he wore was a good amount, not too much and not too little. I inhaled it deeply and took in the moment. I felt horrible for staining his grey shirt. His shaggy brown hair was messy and disheveled. He wore a pair of jeans and sneakers.

I felt him stroke my hair slowly and hush to me.  He might not have been there ever but it feels like he has, he’s been more of a dad to me now than Roger has been in fourteen years. I may have only met him but he’s a dad to me, already.

He pulled me away from him and wiped the tears from my cheeks. His hazel eyes looking deep into mine with a sweetened smile. He cupped my face in his hands.

“You are just like your mother. It’s your way, no high way option.” He said. I laughed slightly and hugged him again. It’s true; certain things have to be done my way, absolutely no high way option.

“Roger says I look just like you. I saw a picture of you on the way here and I happen to agree.” I muttered softly. He laughed and nodded slightly, I might not have seen him nod but I felt his shirt shift.

“You have my eyes, lips and nose but you have you’re mother’s attitude and ears.” He said softly. I smiled and looked up at him.

“Are you going to send me back to Chicago?” I asked softly. Jimmy chuckled and shook his head.

“Only if you want to go back. But if you don’t then you’re welcome to stay here.” He offered with a smile. I could feel the butterflies in my stomach. I knew Roger would be worried for a while then he’d lose interest and give up on me. It’s been done before. My smile widened.

“Can I stay here?” My voice was small but horse. He chuckled and nodded happily.

“Of course you can.” Jimmy returned patting the top of my head, messing up my hair. I made a face at him and rolled my eyes.

I finished my lunch and cleaned up. Jimmy showed me my room; it was a nice bedroom with a queen sized bed that had a water themed blankets draped over it. The room was egg shell white and it had a nice big window that let in lots of sun light.

I set my bag down and wandered around the room slightly. Jimmy told me the bathroom was at the end of the hall and his room was across the way. If I needed anything I just needed to ask. I smiled and nodded. Jimmy was about to leave but then he turned and faced me with a smile.

“Just to let you know, you’re my little treasure.” He said softly. I blushed at him with a small grin. I was doing back flips on the inside. He loved me; he actually was a really nice guy. This was going a lot better than I thought it would go.