Struggles of a Single Father (Book 1 of the Struggle Puff Series)

Chapter 27

Edited – 3/10/2020

. . . . . . . . . . . . .

When I reached the lobby of my apartment complex, I saw Kimberly slumped over on one of the couches. Once I reached her, I held her bag out to her and raised an eyebrow.

"You... you left this." I muttered awkwardly.

She looked at me with wide eyes before hesitantly grabbing it.

"Uh... thanks."

"No problem..." I was about to walk away, but I had questions that needed to be answered, "So? Are you going to tell me what's really going on?"

Her head snapped as she looked at me with wide eyes, "W-what are you talking about?"

"You've always been a terrible actor." I sighed, "But I must admit, that was a great show you put on up there and at the café."

"I just need money is all." She claimed as she looked away, "No need to rub it in my face."

I took a seat beside her, "I think you forget that I know you pretty well. Not to mention, your story is a little off."

"Huh?"

"Jenna called me last night, you know."

"Oh... so you know?"

"Yeah. She told me that you saw pictures of Tilisia. Which means you knew what she looked like." I leaned back on the couch, "So the question is, why did you act like you didn't know who she was?"

She sighed, "I can never get anything by you, can I?" She leaned back as well, "I don't know... Honestly, I've been in town for a couple of weeks. I've known what she looked like ever since the café opened and it was trending on Social Media. People were posting pictures of her and her friend. I've been following her growth through there ever since and watched her get older from a distance. I thought I'd try to reconnect and that's why I came back, but all I could do was watch. She seems so happy with her life. Hell, I wasn't even going to go over to you when I saw that she was at the café, but it was too late when I realized that you saw me."

"That doesn't explain why you said everything that you did."

"I was scared."

"Of what?"

"Of ruining everything." She was holding her head in her hands, "I saw how happy she was and thought that by entering her life, I'd ruin it."

"So, you made yourself out to be a bad person..." I nodded with understanding.

It sounded crazy, but it made sense. A lot of people want the best for their kids, no matter what. She knew she wasn't the best, so she decided to permanently ruin Tilisia's view of her by making threats.

"You know, you could've just stayed away."

"I know. But that doesn't give anyone clarity, now does it?"

I smiled at her and put my arm around her shoulder, "This conversation is what's given me clarity." I said honestly, "I didn't even know I needed it until now. Thank you."

She leaned her head on my shoulder and we stayed just like that for a few minutes before pulling apart.

As I walked her out of the building, I thought about the what ifs that had been running through my mind for the past thirteen years and ever since she came back.

"Well," She turned to me and smiled, "I guess this is it."

"I guess so."

She wrapped her arms around me and held me tight before letting go and giving me one last smile.