Him

Chapter 25

Cheryl’s POV

I am having dinner with my mom in the dining room. We having spaghetti with roasted chicken and some juice. Simple and satisfying.

'I spoke to your dad over the phone earlier on today' she informs and sips on her juice. I feel her eyes on me, awaiting my response.

'Oh?' is all I manage to say. I slice my chicken and keep my focus on my food, avoiding eye contact.

'Yeah. He looks forward to seeing you guys' she says and I finally rise my head to face her.

'That's lovely' I respond shortly. To be honest, I really miss my dad. I think about him almost everyday when I stay silent or have some me time. I remember his silly jokes, how we would sing along to songs in the car, how he is such a bad dancer, how he doesn't like being tickled. There was this one time, he was coming from work after a long, exhausting day and just wanted to be in bed. As he opened the car boot to retrieve his bag, I shut it instantly, teasing him. I will never forget the look he gave me that day. Classic. Teasing my father was one of my daily routine. Most of the times he would laugh too and tease me back.

We remain in awkward silence for a few minutes as I try to think of how to ask her what I want to ask her.

'Mom. Why does Vanessa hate him so much?' I finally ask her. I would like to know what angered my sister to such an extent that she suffered an asthma attack just to hear that our father wants to meet up with us. It doesn't make sense.

'Uhm, well baby. Your sister is not so quick to forgive like you are. The last encounter we had with your father really affected her' she clears her throat and wipes her lips with a napkin.

That was honestly too vague for me. There must be more. Nessa has always been good at hiding how she really feels and pretending that she is okay. She has always felt the need to be strong. I don't get how a mere plea to meet up got her so vexed in that manner. There must be more. Something serious. Something deeper. There is something my mom is hiding. I don't believe her.

'Mom, dad is human and humans are bound to make mistakes. Everyone tends to say stuff that they don't mean when angry which they regret later. And he is regretting it as we speak. That's why he is asking for a chance to fix this by seeing us. Why won't Nessa give him a chance, he is our father'

'I know sweetheart. Let's just give your sister time okay' my mother says and sips on her juice again.

'Nessa told me something as we were out to get her car. She said that she always had to witness you cry and hurt because of daddy from a very young age and she would keep me busy just so that I wouldn't see what was happening. What was she talking about mom? What did dad do? ' I ask her and rest my elbows on the table. I don't even have appetite anymore, my stomach is just full of questions and confusion. My mother exhales and pushes her hair behind her ear.

' Honey, some things are just better left unsaid' she says and I scoff sarcastically. I need to get to the bottom of this.

'Wow! That's a really beautiful piece. Where did you get it?' she  changes the subject and asks about my necklace. I roll my eyes, push out of my chair and walk to my bedroom. Why are they keeping stuff from me?!