Denial [ n.s] EDITING

Chapter 29 - Just an acquaintance

Chapter twenty nine
Sawyer's POV,

~

The sound of thunder interrupted my reading.

Actually, I was merely even reading a line. There were too many thoughts in my head. They disrupted anything and everything that I needed or wanted to do.

I tried. I tried distracting myself by reading a classic, cheesy, soppy yet irresistible novel but no, that didn't help. Who knew that the things that went through your own head could annoy you so much?

I shoved the novel into my bag and stood by the side of Dad's bed.

'I know you hear me' I said as I pulled the chair towards the bed and sat on it.

'I'm gonna tell you a story, okay?' I took a breath. 'Okay' I whispered to myself. 'Umm, there was this little girl that used to sorta love football a lot. She was merely 5 but she claimed that she loved football. For Christmas, she had received a football jersey. It was a Manchester United jersey but the little girl believed that it was an Arsenal one. She walked around telling almost everyone how much she loved "Arsenal" and how she loved the colours of "Arsenal". One night, when she was at her Dad's, she showed him her jersey and went on and on about how she'd love to see "Arsenal" play one day. Her dad was stunned at first, but later on explained to her that it wasn't an Arsenal jersey after all. He spent that night explaining every bit of football to that little girl, in the most entertaining way possible. One thing I can't forget is the look he gave it that little girl when he realized that it wasn't the jersey she thought it was. Because, Dad, that's the look you give me every time I make a fool out of myself. It's not a look of disapproval or shame or embarrassment. No. It's that look where I realize how much you actually love me. I miss you and that look of yours. I know I'll see it soon, 'cause you wouldn't leave me right? I mean, c'mon there's still so much I need to know about football. I'm clueless, for Christ's sake' I wiped away a tear. 'Dad?'

I held his hand with both my hands and I leaned my head on it as tears began to shed.

I felt a rub on my head and looked up to see him awake.

He removed his mask and tried his best to whisper 'I love you'

'I love you too, dad' I said, as stuffy as my voice had gotten.

It felt good to hear his voice again. Even if it isn't his normal voice, it felt good.

'Lea,' he reached for my hand. 'Can you just promise me one thing?'

'Of course, yeah,' I wiped yet another tear. 'Anything'

'Stay away from him' he coughed. 'That boy'

It felt like he spat out that word.

I was surprised that I didn't get annoyed by the way he labeled Nathan as just "that boy". But now I couldn't care less.

~

I was at home washing the dishes when the doorbell rang.

'Coming' I said.

I wiped my hands and opened the door.

'Hey' Jess said, with full spirits.

'Jess, hi!' I smiled. 'Come on in'

'Thanks' she said in her soft voice. 'I'm sorry, I didn't mean to just intrude.'

'No, no. It's alright' I cut her off.

'It's just that I'm having a party tomorrow and well, you're in town so would you drop by, maybe?'

'Um,'