Destined

Sixty Seven

"Dad?" I asked, surprised to see him.

I was always surprised to see him. When someone disappears for six years and suddenly shows up, it's kind of hard to get used to their presence again. I hadn't seen him since I'd been home for Christmas. He'd come by one of those days with Christmas gifts for both my mum and I. We hadn't really talked, save for the 'I'm-so-glad-you're-doing-better'. I mean seeing him when I woke up in hospital and then seeing him when my mum forced me home to recover was...strange, to say the least. We'd been in contact, sort of, a few texts and calls here and there, but like I said before, getting his family back was going to be one hell of a struggle.

"Hi Krissy," he said and stepped in, closing the door behind him and stunning me silent. "You look terrible,"

I laughed. I couldn't help it.

"Gee, thanks, dad. Every girl wants to hear that first thing in the morning,"
"It's one in the afternoon," he said.

I shrugged.

"I'm worried about you. Your mum is worried about you," he said.
"Been talking to mum?" I asked.
"You know I have," he said. "Aren't you going to offer me a seat? Something to eat?"

I rolled my eyes and turned for the kitchen. Despite the fact that I claimed I didn't want to see anyone, I was sort of glad he was there. Being alone was becoming boring, and lonely.

"I don't have actual food," I said pulling out a soda. Vince's favorite soda.
"You need to get some soon if you really plan on staying here," he said making himself comfortable at the table.
"I'll get right on it, pops,"
He grinned, "You used to call me that, back in the day,"
"Yeah, I guess it just slipped out,"
"Your mum told me you and Vince broke up,"
"You and mum best buddies again?"
"Far from it,"
"She's making you fight for it, isn't she?"
"I wouldn't expect it any other way," he answered. "But your mum and I aside, I'm here for you,"
"Mum and I are a package deal,"
"So if I told you she's forgiven me and we're back together, you'd come home,"
I shook my head, "I'd know if she'd forgiven you,"
"Not the point,"
"What is the point, father?" I asked sarcastically, sitting down in front of him.
He sighed, "I like your hair," he noted.

I touched my hair self consciously. I think it was the fourth day after I'd moved into the new place. My hair was getting in the way of my crying. So, I cut it off. Not all of it, most of it though. It was barely passed my shoulders now. I guess it would overlap if I straightened it but I had no energy for that. I couldn't do my usual buns anymore though.

"I thought I would try something different," I said.
He nodded, "Are you okay?" He asked finally.
"I've had better days," I answered.
"You haven't chosen a new therapist yet," he stated.
"I don't think I need to keep talking about it,"
"Do you still have nightmares?"
"Sometimes,"

About Professor Darke. About Roger. And Tyler. And Jonah. And about Vince. I would wake up screaming at night. Holly would be barking beside me, looking around, looking for the danger, only to find there was none. And then she'd whimper and snuggle with me as I cried.

"Does being alone help?" He asked.
I shook my head but said, "I just wanted some time to sort things out,"
"I'm sorry about your friend, about your friends,"
I nodded, "I am too,"
"Is that why things between you and Vincent didn't work out?"
"I don't know. I don't know anything anymore,"
"He's still looking for you. He's been hounding your mum, your friends, he even came to me, he's trying to find you,"
I laughed sadly, "He hasn't stopped calling either,"

I just hadn't had the strength to answer.

"So....why won't you talk to him?"
Tears stung my eyes, "I can't, I don't trust him,"
"Yes you do. You trusted him to get me out of that hospital room when you didn't want to speak to me. You trusted him to stay with you through your nightmares, to protect you,"
I blinked my tears away, "I'm scared, daddy,"