DADDY ISSUES

Four

After a few more days dad return home and find me waiting for him at the door. I jump in his arms as soon as he walked in, wanting to feel safe and protected. I didn't tell him about the argument with my mom outside my school, I just hope she just gives up. It will be the best for all of us.

I won't deny that being on my own for a couple of days wasn't bad. I did miss my dad but at the same time, I finally had time for me, to sit in silence and peace just by myself. I don't remember if I ever had this. Dad had an idea of us going to a nice restaurant to celebrate that he is back and for me to wear the gift he got me. He always brought me presents no matter where he when.

With the bag in hand, I walk into my room, excited to see what is inside. The material on my hands feels soft and silky, I put it on right away. It sits an inch below my knee, silky and a beautiful deep blue color, very delicate straps and I never had a nicer dress in my life but it kind of looks bad on me especially with my white sneakers and raw face. At least my hair looks good in a low ponytail and there is this long stripe from the same fabric that I don't know what is for, perhaps a belt? But no, I just place it back inside the bag.

"Melanie, are you ready?"

Dad says right out my door as he knocks a second after. Instead of replying I walk out of the room since I am ready. My bedroom door opens and he takes a step back so I can come out, he smiles when he sees me and smile back. He gives me his hand.

"Let's go my lady."

I chuckle and grab his hand. We got into the car and start driving to the restaurant, in the car my dad informs me that we will go to our favorite place, which means it is where we when all together a few times a month. The food is really nice there but I just remember how they would fight all the time and people looking at us. I was so embraced and scared but this time is different, my parents are no longer together for better or worse and I will be just with my dad.

Soon we arrive and we get our reservation, the girl that is the hostess was so polite and very pretty. Mom would have been so rude to her and think she is flirting with dad when simply she just does her work nothing more or less. We sat at a table beside a big window; dad knows how much I like looking outside. Mom would have hated it; she would say that she didn't want to be seen in such a cheap place. I don't think it's cheap, it's really nice. They change a few things since the last time I was here.

"Shall we order?"

Dad says all excited and nob my head and get the catalog. He is really hungry and so am I. What should I get, I jump from option to option while biting my lip not sure of what to get. Mom would never let me have anything but salads and water with lemon. What is wrong with me? Why do I keep thinking about her? She is not here and I am not a kid anymore I will have whatever I want even dessert. Oh, yes cherry pie is just so good. We ordered and after a while, our food came, we just got to eating right away but his phone starts ringing, he looks at it and then me. I just know who it is. I reach my hand to take it and dad takes it away.

"Melanie. "

"I will talk to her."

He stays looking at me, searching my eyes, thinking.

"Dad, give me the phone. "

I take it in my hands and stand up.

"I will be right back."

Walked out of the restaurant and before I answer I look at it. She always finds a way to ruin the day, I think I made it clear last time. I take a deep breath and when she calls again, I pick it up.

"What do you want?"

Is the first thing that comes out of my mouth.

"This how you talk to your mother?"

I bite my lip to not laugh at her face and I hold everything in me to not hang up.

"Now you remember that you are my mother?"

Tears almost spill out my eyes as I say the words.

"The weekend has passed Melanie, days now. I think it's time for you to come home."

Home? That place my home I don't think so.

"I told you already I will stay with dad."

I could feel how much she was holding back, by now she would be screaming but she wants to play nice. No matter what she does I am not backing down. No.

"Melanie come home now. Consider this your last warning. "

"My last warning? What you even talking about? I said no and you cannot force me."

Silence follows for a few seconds but she was not going to back down either.

"Melanie, sweetheart if you don't come home, things will get pretty bad. I will report your father and you don't want that, do you? You don't want your daddy to lose his job and spend the rest of his life in jail, do you? So come home. "

She is the worst, my jaw clenches as I hold back.

"I will be there tomorrow. "

I hand up the call as soon as these words leave my mouth, I take deep breaths as I try to calm down. I don't want dad to see me like that and most certainly I don't want him to know what she has told me. I put on a smile, wipe my tears and walk inside. I give him his phone back and sit down.

"How it went?"

Instead of responding to him, I take to drink water and think of what to say.

"I will go back, we decided to you know give it another chance. '

"That's great, I am really happy that things turn out okay."

I just nob my head.

"Would you be able to drive me?"

"Of course."

He smiles at me and I push a smile back. We continue with our food in peace. I will enjoy the last moments before I go back, I have no other choice. I don't want dad to go to jail just because of me, lose his life, and work because of me. One day she is going to pay for this, for all of this.  

Hi,

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Twitter: Audrey M. Grey aka greytheway