The Sergeant's Daughter

Chapter Five

My dad, Henry, and I walked into the Lincoln Park Zoo. I haven't been to this zoo in ages. It feels that way anyways. A lot has changed since I been gone and apparently it still is. Change is inevitable. It's a constant thing. I can't control it but I can go along with it. As we walked to the otters my mind wondered.  I couldn't believe my brother is gone. He got on my nerves a good bit growing but I'm enjoyed it. He was my big brother. I miss him.

"So, uh Henry's dad.." Dad started. "Wow, I'm surprised it took you this long to bring it up." I replied back. He chuckled. "Well, spit it out already." He held Henry up so he could see the otters swimming around. "I wanted to ask last night but you found out about your brother." I took of a picture of Dad and Henry. "We hooked up for about a week then I called it off." I explained. "That's it?" He asked. "That's it." I answered. He looked at me with those eyes. I knew he knew there was more to the story but obviously he didn't want to push it. We walked on to see the other animals. Although Henry was only 6 months old he seemed to enjoy the animals. I enjoyed being around my dad again. Seeing him with Henry made me realize I should haven't came back sooner. I should have done a lot of things sooner and made better life decisions.

After the zoo we went to get a bite to eat. I let Dad hold Henry as much as he wanted. He rarely smiled but with Henry his smile never went away. "You know Justin has a son." My dad informed. "Really?" I said shocked. I didn't know Justin to be the fatherly type. I mean he was good with kids but I never once heard him say anything about wanting kids. "Yea, him and a girl name Olive had a mini Justin." He told me. "Wow, Justin Voight a father. That's shocking" I giggled. I could imagine my brother changing diapers and having baby puke on his shirt. I was lost in thought of Justin being a dad when I saw my son go in the air. "Dad?! Are you crazy! I yelled. "What? I'm going to catch him. I wouldn't let nothing happen to precious child who just happens to share the same name as me."
I rolled my eyes. "You scared me."  I named Henry after my dad because deep down I regretted not talking to him but also because I wanted the name to carry on.

Later that night Erin came over for supper. We ordered pizza because no one felt like cooking. We told Erin about our day. She was jealous but like the good jealous. Erin told us about the case they worked. "So two guys robbed and killed this lady over a parking space?" I asked. "Yea, apparently. It was crazy but now they are both sitting in a cell." Dad picked Henry up," Come on big guy you don't need to hear all this bad talk." Erin and I laughed. We could hear dad and Henry giggling. My heart smiled. I pretty sure it grew hearing them having a good time. "We have some catching up to do." I grinned at Erin. "Tell me about that hot guy at work." I teased. "Jordan!" Erin squeaked. "You can hide it from me. I know there is something between you two. Are y'all sleeping together?" I questioned. Erin dipped on her beer. "I will tell you but this goes no further, and I'm only telling you because you are my sister." She pointed her finger at me. I held up my pinky, "Pinky promise." I grinned. Erin told me all about her and Jay. Of course they was so cute together. I was really happy for her. Between Justin, her, and me I'm not sure how my parents managed to keep their sanity. I'm sure they wanted to throw us in a dumpster somewhere, hell maybe even put us up for adoption.
"Jordan, I..um I gotta know why didn't you call or send a text. You left us hanging." Erin spoke softly. I was quite for a moment. What could I tell her? "Erin...I couldn't handle mom dying. It broke me. She was my rock. She was everything a girl could ask for." I took a sip of my beer. Another sip. And another sip. Erin grabbed my hand. "I'm sorry and I know sorry isn't much of an excuse. I will make it up to you and dad. I promise." I finished. "You know that's a lot of years to make up for." She pointed out. We hugged it out and then walked into the living room to find dad and Henry watching Winnie the Pooh. We sat on the couch next to them. "This was my favorite movie." I quietly said. "You guys use to watch this over and over. Me and your mom had to go out and buy another one."

Coming back was one of the best decisions I've ever made. I should have done it a long time ago but a girl has to learn her lessons. I had to hit rock bottom before coming up on top. My son changed me. He saved my life. I was in the dark and he was the light I needed to find my way back home. Now I just need a way to tell dad the real story about Henry's biological father.