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

Chapter 18

Edited – 2/25/2020

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January – three-years-old

It had been almost a full month since Tilisia and I moved into Amy's apartment, and things were going well.

Since her dad had bought the apartment, all I had to do way pay for half of the utilities and half of the groceries, although she insisted that I didn't.

Amy and I had fallen into an almost perfect rhythm with each other, but Tilisia still didn't understand what was going on and kept asking when we'd see grandma and grandpa again.

"It's going to be a while before we can." I would reply, but she would just brush it off and then ask again later.

As for my parents, I hadn't seen or spoken to them ever since I left the house. Mom kept trying to reach out to me, but I struggled to pick up her calls after she suggested I moved out without Tilisia. At first, I tried to reason that she was just going along with what my dad said, but then I became frustrated that she was okay with that compromise. I was forgiving, but I wasn't forgetful.

Outside of that, every was going smoothly; I was graduating in a few months, Tilisia and Ain were having fun with sharing a room, Amy was excited to have someone stay with her when Ain was with his parents on the weekend, and Jake was doing his best in making sure that we were comfortable with money.

Life was finally good.

.

.

March – three-years-old

"Sweetheart, please. We just want to see you." The pleading voice of my mother came out of the phone.

"Are you sure? Or do you just want to see Tilisia so she can live with you?" I replied in a scathing tone. Okay, so I was still upset about that, but who wouldn't be?

"We want to see both of you, Carter. Honestly. I miss you so much." Her voice had gone to a whisper on that last part.

I was silent. I didn't really know what to say to her. I still felt betrayed.

"Please, Carter." She said again.

I thought for a moment before sighing, "Fine. This Saturday at three?"

"Perfect! I can't wait to see you, sweetie. I'll talk to you then." She hung up, leaving me to my own thoughts, wondering if I made the right decision.

.

.

It was three-fifteen on a particularly gloomy Sunday, and I was sitting across from my parents with Tilisia on my lap. We had decided on going to a Dunkin Donuts to maintain neutrality, and because Tilisia wanted to get a donut.

We hadn't said much outside of greetings and strained small talk.

"So..." my mother started slowly, "We wanted to talk to you about something important, Carter."

I shouldn't have come.

I raised an eyebrow to signal that she could keep talking.

"Your father and I talked about it and we've decided that you can move back home." She had a huge smile plastered on her face as she looked at me excitedly. "We decided that that's what would be best for Tilisia and her future!"

My right eyebrow joined the left in its raised position as I stared at her in shock.

"You're kidding, right?" I asked.