The ghost of him

Chapter 16

Saturday. The time I get to see my dad. Even though I'm grounded, I'm still allowed to go, because well, he is my dad and legally mom can't stop me from going.

As I'm getting ready, I get a text from Michael.

M: Hey. Wyd?

Me: Getting ready to go to my dad's. Wbu?

M: I was hoping I could hang out with you...

Me: You could come to my dad's with me. He's chill. Won't mind.

M: Yeah sure. I won't mind. :)

Me: I'll pick you up soon :)

What is wrong with me? first I ditch the memorial to be with him, and now I invite him to my dad's when it's supposed to be our quality time. I'm not even sure if dad will be okay with it, what he'd say. Oh well, I already invited him.

When I head downstairs, I grab the keys and tell mom I'm leaving. She's in the kitchen, making her breakfast.

"Hold on." She says. "Eat something first."

"I'll eat at Dad's. He's got stuff."

"Yeah. Stale cereal and moldy bread. It's better if you eat here." She's still got the idea in her head that dads a bad parent and apparently now she thinks he's a lazy slob who doesn't know how to go grocery shopping.

"He does not have moldy bread. Now if you'll excuse me..." I close the door and hop in the car, and drive away before she can yell at me.

I stop to pick up Michael, honking the horn outside his house. He runs outside to my car and hops in, and then he slams the door shut. I give him a confused look.

"Sorry." He says as he puts his seat belt on. "I had to get out of there before my mom stopped me."

I laugh. "I know the struggle." I peel away from his driveway and head to my dad's.

***

When we get there, I knock on his door and he answers, wrapping me in a hug. "There's my little girl." He lifts me up off the ground and then slowly puts me down. He notices Michael and doesn't think anything about it at first, but then he had to do a double-take.

"Dad, this is my...friend Michael." If I say he's my boyfriend he might say no.

Michael gives him an awkward wave and smiles. "Hello...sir."

Dad leans against the door frame and gives me a look. "Cut the crap, Rose."

"Okay. He's...my boyfriend. Can he please hang out here?" I fold my hands and try to act cute so he'll say yes. "Mom would never approve of this. She doesn't trust me anymore." I whine to him.

"After that stunt you pulled no duh. But I don't know..."

"Please, dad? Please?" I beg him. I know him, he can't say no to me. He might also say yes just to spite mom.

"Alright fine." He turns his attention over to Michael. "I swear if I catch you doing anything to my daughter...." Dad grabs his shirt and is all intimidating. It's funny because he won't hurt a fly. He's too nice.

"Yes sir. Got it, sir." Michael swallows really hard, and there's sweat coming off of his face. I've never seen him so scared.

"Cut the act, dad. You won't even kill a spider." I chuckle.

Dad still acts intimidating. "I mean it. Anything..."

I make dad let go of Michael's shirt and I drag him inside.

I freeze. There Mia is, sitting on the couch. Yes, I invited Michael over, but dad didn't know I was inviting him. So if he thought it was just going to be me, why would he invite his girlfriend over?