Struggles of a Single Father (Book 1 of the Struggle Puff Series)

Chapter 50

Written – 6/30/2020

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"Carter, calm down."

"Easy for you to say!" I yelled, unable to control my temper, "It's not your kid, so why wouldn't it be?"

"Listen, I get that you're frustrated-"

"Furious." I corrected sharply.

"-That doesn't mean you should take it out on me when all I'm trying to do is help you."

"Yes, Rosie. Because telling me that I'm wrong to be angry is totally helpful. Thanks so much for your contribution to the situation."

"Could you chill out for two seconds?!"

"You know what?" I said suddenly, "I don't need this right now."

Wasting no time, I got out of the car and went into the closed café. I wasn't surprised that she chose not to follow me. If anything, I was happy for the moment alone. It gave me time to regret how I spoke to her and to figure how I was going to kill Ain.

I decided to call try calling Tilisia, and this time the phone was picked up.

"Tilisia? What's going on? Are you okay?"

"Daddy?" She sounded distant. Almost as if she was sleep talking.

"Lis, what's going on? Please, talk to me."

"Dad, I want to stay with Ain for a bit."

"If he's making you do this, tell me and I'll get you from wherever you are."

"I asked him to take me with him. He's only doing what I asked. I just... I don't even know why I picked up. I'm safe, I guess. Bye."

"Tilisia, don't hang up!"

I knew I was too late. She had already hung up and I was talking to a dead line, still hoping she'd reply.

I was glad to have heard from her, but for some reason, I was still terrified and angry. I had no idea where she was or what happened, and she clearly wasn't going to tell me. Knowing Ain, he's so loyal to her that he would keep her secrets no matter what.

At least, that's what I thought until I got a text from him.

-Please be patient with her. I will have an explanation for you, but I just desperately need you to give her some space.

I wanted to be mad, but I couldn't help but appreciate the text. That didn't stop me from sending something less-than-kind to him.

-What gives you the right to determine what me or my daughter should be doing? Who said that was for you to even do?

His reply came slow, but when I saw the length, I understood why.

-With all due respect, sir. I'm her best friend and someone that loves her. I know what she's just been through, and you don't. I know what to do and I'm going to do it whether you like it or not. Like I said on the phone, you are free to kick my ass when you see me next, but I'll be taking the lead on this one. I will send you a text everyday to let you know how she is, but that's all I can really do to put your mind at ease without compromising her comfort. I will text you tomorrow. I will not tell you where we are, but I will tell you that she's somewhere safe.

Have a good rest of your night, sir. I'm sorry about all of this.

I would've tried to get a response out of him, but I knew him well enough to know that he wouldn't fall for whatever I said. I respected him for that on other days, but not today.

Today, I wanted him dead, and I wanted to be the someone that inflicted that price upon him.

I wasn't sure how long I sat on the counter, fuming, and thinking about everything I didn't know, but eventually Rosie came in with my keys in her hand.

"Just giving you your keys. I've already called someone to come get me." She explained quietly.

I felt my heart skip a beat, as I hopped off the counter and moved closer to her, "Wait, I'll take you back to your apartment."

"Honestly, I don't want to be around you right now." She said, backing away from me, "I get that you're dealing with something important, and I honestly feel like I'm in the way, so I'd rather just go home with someone else. My friend is on her way."

We were both silent, until I sighed heavily, "I'm sorry. I was unfair to you and spoke to you inappropriately. I'm not going to try to force you to stay with me when I'm like this, but I do hope you can forgive you."

"I'm sure I will, but tensions are high, and we just need some space." We heard a honk outside, indicating that her friend had arrived, "I'll call you if the kids contact me. See you."

As I watched her walk out, I wanted nothing more than to stop her and tell her everything she meant to me...

It wasn't the time nor the place. So, I watched her get into her friend's car, without a wave or another glance in my direction. I knew it was for the best, but it hurt to watch it play out.

After they drove off, I took a moment to recollect myself before locking up and heading back to my car. Unsure of where I was going, I took off in a unfamiliar direction and drove for an hour. At some point, I ended up heading back to the empty apartment and cleaning up.

There was no trace of anything bad happening there, which meant she was long gone when I had called. I knew thinking about it would only stress me out, but what else could I do? It was either that or think about how I may have just skewered my relationship with Rosie. My brain was caught between a rock and a hard place.

Eventually, everything was clean, and the only piece of trash left was me. I knew I was being dramatic, but the day really had me feeling like shit, so I went into self-loathing mode, and then to sleep.

I wasn't sure how long I was out, but I still felt tired and somewhat sick, and somehow, the lack of Tilisia's presence weighed heavy on me.

In that moment, I began to pray for a quick return, because I wasn't sure how much more of this I could take.