Complicated Miracle

Depressed? Chapter 47

I wake up as lightning flashes in the sky. I saw my dad yesterday. I reach for the chain on my neck. I rub my finger on the ring and smile a bit. 

I spend an hour in bed thinking about my dad before I get up. I pull on a hoodie and some jeans before I go out to everyone. I sit quietly at the table as everyone eats and talks. 

" Hey, Aura. Are you okay? " Chase asks observing me. 

I shake my head. " Not right now. But I will be. Someday. " I give him a small smile and push my food around. 

" Your dad seems really nice. "

I look up at Chase. " He is. He's really cool too. He's a really good guy. Dad just gets mixed in the wrong stuff sometimes, you know. " 

Chase nods. " We all do. One way or another, we end up in some sort of trouble. " 

He's nice. Really nice. And kind of cute. Wait. No. Daddy told me I can't date until I'm like, 16,000 years old. Man, this is going to be a difficult 15,088 years to go. 

I twirl my fork in my food. I'm not hungry but there's still that rule where we have to eat together. 

After everyone finishes, we wash our dishes and split in our separate directions. I silently look out the window as the day passes. Usually, I'd read or watch some TV with the kids. But I don't feel like doing those things today. 

I skip lunch and sit on the balcony, looking out onto the street. " Aura, " I look at my Uncle. " You need to eat. You have not eaten breakfast or lunch. What is wrong? Are you missing your father? " He sits down next to me. 

I shrug. " I'm not hungry. " 

" Well, this is not good. You need to eat. " 

" I don't feel like eating. " I mumble into my knees which are pulled into my chest. 

Uncle Thor sighs. " Well, there's food for you when you're hungry. 

I end up getting forced to eat dinner because I already missed breakfast and lunch.