Bad girl

Chapter 22

Chapter Twenty Two.

Libia stared at her father's back as they walked down the peaceful sidewalk. It was lightly cloudy that morning, and Libia still felt the need for a jacket, but it seemed that to most, this was a good day, as there were people shopping in the strip mall across the street, and browsing the restaraunts for a nice place. Libia's father led them into a park. There was no playground for children in the large park area, but the sidewalk created a complete circle all the way around, and trees dotted the middle, where picnic tables were strewn about.

He hadn't spoken a word, nor did he look at them when he turned into the park. He simply stared at the ground in front of him with his hands in his pockets.

He cut off of the path and made his way over to a picnic table. Damon and Libia glanced at each other, before hesitantly following him.

 He finally looked at them as they settled down across from him. He really examined Libia's face this time, and noticed that despite the tenseness of her forehead and the nervous set of her lips, she looked different somehow. It was strange, like something you didn't notice until it was gone - her eyes were lighter, and she seemed to stand straighter. Ben had said she had changed but...he hadn't mentioned how much.

And then he looked at Damon, the blondie who seemed too big for his britches, at least that's how he saw him. That confident grin he gave him after he punched him - like it was something he was used to. He just didn't trust him. After all, he'd gone and gotten Libia  a tattoo, and she'd ridden on his motorcycle. How do you trust a kid like that with your pride and joy?

"Libia," He murmured, turning back to his daughter.

The leftover anger from before still hung over the air, and Libia now felt a little guilty for the words she'd said back in the cafe. She knew she was right, but it was still a harsh way to say it. She watched as he struggled for the right words.

"I won't try to dictate your life anymore," He said, causing Libia's eyes to widen in surprise. "You're right, you're an adult now. But I won't accept him," He pointed at Damon, "Until I can be sure that he isn't going to ruin your life."

Libia opened her mouth to protest, but he held up a hand, "Moving on - I want to talk to you about your mother."

Letting herself relax slightly at the change of conversation, she furrowed her eyebrows in confusion. "What about her?"

"Your brother explained to me what she said to you. And I think it's time I explain my side of the story."

Libia felt a pang of doubt enter her system as her mother's words once again repeated in her head - this isn't you. She swallowed thickly. 

"Your side?" She asked, and they both noticed that her voice was slightly off.

"Yes. The other reason I left."

She felt nervous suddenly, as if she were standing on a ledge, trying to hold onto anything as not to fall. She wanted to cover her ears, and she didn't know why. 

"You had another reason?"

"One that...might be a little hard to swallow," He reached up to rub the back of his neck, as if he were already exhausted of this conversation. "Your mother and I...we met in college. She was on her way to becoming a doctor, and I was majoring in business at the time. Through the time that we dated, she seemed like the perfect woman to me. She was beautiful, and sweet, and thoughtful. I couldn't find one flaw - not that I ever searched for one. We were in love with the idea of a fairytale relationship. I proposed to your mother after three years of being together, and everything was great.