So, That's Your Dad? (Freddie Mercury)

Chapter Twenty Eight: Our Little Secret

Two Years Later 1989

        "Hey Tiff, you riding home with me?" Joe asked, unlocking the combination to his locker and successfully opening it. The only con now that Asher is gone, is that the lockers never open the first time that you put in your combination. It happens to me almost everyday and causes me to be late every once in awhile. Ugh, school. We all hate it. "No stupid, I got my car fixed yesterday. Remember?" I answer. He gave a half smile. "Oh yeah. To tell you the truth, I miss when you would ride home with me everyday." He admitted.

     This hurt my heart because he was being so serious. The nostalgia hitting me also had to partially do with it. "I know, I do too. But do you know what I don't miss?" I ask shutting my locker and zipping up my rain coat. "What?" He wondered getting out one text book, closing his locker and put on his coat. Today is one of the only few days that it rains in California, which means that our coats are very important to carry around with us. We begin to make our way to the parking lot. It will be an absolute blast walking in the pouring rain. I'm clearly being sarcastic.

     "I don't miss my dad driving me to and from school everyday." I giggled. Joe smiled and looked down. "How is your dad by the way?" He asked. I sigh. I didn't want to think about this because I really don't have an answer. I don't even know how he is. "I assume that he's doing fine. I mean, he may be sick but he's still the most energetic person I have ever seen in my entire life. I don't know how to explain it. He goes to the hospital and he's back before I even wake up." I explain. "Well that's a good sign at least, right?" Joe questioned.

       I pushed my hair back. "I guess so." I reply when he opens the door to the outside world of Los Angeles California. The rain is poring down and the thunder booms. I have never been scared of thunder even though it rarely comes. Sometimes I like it more than the sun. Both Joe and I continue to talk about my dad's health, though it's none of our business. As we still decide to talk about it, I can tell that Joe is distracted. He's looking away towards someone so I decide to quiet down. "Tiff, look over in that direction." He ordered and I did so. No. This can't be real. No fucking way. Why is Ben standing out there in the pouring rain with no coat on?

His whole entire white shirt is soaked with precipitation. Bad day to wear a white shirt. But I haven't seen him in over six months, there's no way that he's actually here. He is, and I couldn't be happier to see him. Joe and I bolt toward him and I'm the first one to make it to his car parked right next to mine. We embraced each other so tightly, as if he had just come back from fighting in a war. He even had the courage to lift me up and spin me around. We separated and he hugged Joe. "Ben it's so good to see you!" Joe said. Then they separated and we all slightly formed a triangle.

"I missed you guys so much. You have no idea, college was killing me." He said and I believed him. But I still think that it's much better than this hell hole that Joe and I are stuck in for two more months. "I see." Joe said. "So hoes, we need to celebrate me returning home for a week. We're going to the club tonight." He informed. I raised an eyebrow. "How the hell are Joe and I supposed to get into the club?!" I question. Ben gave the both of us a devilish smirk. Whenever he did that, we knew that he was up to no good.

       "I know a way, trust me." He said. "Yeah Tiff, we should definitely go." Joe tried to convince me. I rolled my eyes. I knew that this was not the right thing to do. "But my dad," I wanted to finish the sentence but I couldn't, because I don't want to think about my dad dying. "Who cares what your dad thinks?! He probably would want you to go to the club too!" Joe said enthusiastically. Him and I both know that is a damn lie. That is the biggest lie that Joe has ever told in my two years of knowing him. Plus my dad said that if he catches us in our wrong doings again than he's going to send us to a boarding school. He's still caught us in many acts, but never kept his promise to himself.

So why not go to the club and get grounded? I sigh in annoyance. "Fine, I'll go. I'm going to the bookstore real quick, but I'll see y'all at eight." I said and unlocked my car. "Ooooooo." Joe teased knowing what the bookstore meant. I rolled my eyes and took a seat in my car. "What does that mean?" Ben wondered. Now we're going back to the old and good times. I shook my head at Joe, begging him to not say anything. "TIFFANY HAS A BOYFRIEND!" Joe yelled at the top of his lungs. Ben was now intrigued and I was annoyed. I just closed my door and drove away to escape this embarrassing situation.

I parallel parked next to the well lit bookstore. They must've gotten the lights replaced because it used to be very dim. I haven't seem him in over two weeks. I have only been containing my sanity by hearing his voice whenever he had the time to call me. Which isn't fair because I haven't had the time to see him. And if I saw him then he wouldn't be obligated to call me frequently. The sound of the small bell above the door blares as I enter and carefully shut the door. The first pair of eyes to meet mine are his green and blue bicolored eyes. A smile immediately hit when he looked down and handed the customer the bag. He has to focus on his job of course.

"Have a nice day." He said to the customer as they exited the store. I ran over and just kissed him. That was all that I wanted to put into action at the moment. His hands on my neck as his lips glide against mine gently. We stop after about twenty seconds to get some air between us. "I missed you Rami." I said to him. "I missed you more. You got prettier." He told me and as a result of that I playfully punched him in the chest. "I've always been pretty. You should meet my dad." I said without thinking. Rami chuckled. "You're right I should. When can I meet him?" He asked and I always hated when he asked this question.

He would never look at me the same way if he knew who my father was. I would just be seen as Freddie Mercury's daughter. When I don't even use my second last name. In my yearbook for this year below my picture reads "Tiffany Bulsara" and my quote being "Fuck You - Freddie Mercury." I don't know how my school approved of that. "I told you, it can't be right now, he wouldn't approve. It's not you, it's just, circumstance I guess." I tell him. "I get it. It's the age gap isn't it?" He questioned. I nod. "Yeah, that too." I say. He smiles and kisses me again. "I love you." He said. "Love you too Rami." I reply. "Oh yeah I have to show you something." He informed and quickly took out an envelope from the underneath of the counter. I began to be suspicious, hoping that there is nothing bad in here.

But the envelope says Stanford, so now I'm curious. I open it and unfold the piece of paper. I stop breathing when I skim through it and I cry instead. But I'm not sad like I have been since my father told me the most tragic thing in life, but I'm happy with what I read. "YOU GOT IN! YOU GOT IN!" I yelled over and over again and just embraced him with continuous tears. "Don't cry or else I'm going to cry." He said when we separated and I wiped my tears. "Im just so happy and proud of you. Do you know what you want to major in yet?" He shook his head. "No. I don't think I'm going to know for awhile, it's in between film and English." He said. "Well do what makes you happy." I tell him and look down at my watch. Two thirty. My dad is expecting me.

"Oh shit I have to go. My dad is wanting me home at two forty." I informed. "Ok, see you tomorrow?" He requested. "Yeah, of course." I reply then peck his lips. I left shortly after.

"Dad! Jim! I'm home!" I yell out. My dad is in the living room petting Delilah. I hugged him as he took a seat on the armchair. He placed and arm on top of mine and kissed me on the cheek. "How are you feeling?" I asked him. "I'm alright. Just as sick as I was two years ago." He told me and that saddens me, letting me know that he's losing hope. "Well I'm really sorry. Is there anything I can do for you?" I requested. I hope he gives an answer, it's the least I can do since he's raised me for my entire life. "No, I insist Tiffany that I'm fine." He told me. I let go of him and said ok. The only thing I can do is make my way upstairs. "Were you just around a dude?" He asked in a disgusted manner.

I stop in my tracks and now my cheeks are flushed with nervousness. "No. What makes you think that?" I lied. "Its just that the stench of cologne is on you." He revealed. Shit! I told Rami to stop and that he doesn't need it. "Oh, um Joe was wearing it today." I lied again and walked away, feeling guilty that I just told a damn lie.