*updates every few days*
The bustling town of Albright is located in seaside New England. Charming, traditional, yet artsy and modern. Known for its music scene and parties, the town attracts a lot of the young crowd during the summer. Locals and ou...
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"It smells amazing in here," I proclaim, walking into the kitchen where my dad was putting his finishing touches on dinner. He called me while I was at the salon, asking me to join him and his friend for dinner tonight. I didn't hesitate to cancel my plans with Clara and a few of our other friends to hang out with my dad. I have a feeling this would be a "romantic" friend for him; I am intrigued.
"Just making the only meal I know how to make," he pulls me in for a hug and kisses my forehead before placing the chicken in the oven. "Let's catch up for a little while we wait."
Sitting in our abnormally large dinner table, Dad and I catch up on our day. He asks me about the salon. I let him know business was steady, and we had very loyal customers. I have to admit, it's not the most lucrative business in town, but the salon is a relic I will never give up.
"You must be tired of hearing me say this, but I'm proud of you, Sunny." His smile is too genuine for me not to smile back.
"Thanks, dad."
"I know things haven't been the easiest for us these past few years." He looks away for a second before finding my eyes again, "but we made it work. You made it work." He points at me. "I hope you know that."
My dad never fails to let me know how proud of me he is, how much he loves me. The man is pure love and joy at all times. The greatest example of this is that night two years ago when we found out Mae died. He ensured I received the best therapy, as well as providing me with all of his love and support in every decision I made. He supported my decision to not attend college and instead run the salon. Many of his higher up friends and colleagues stuck their noses up at him when they found out the daughter of a Collins was not attending an Ivy League school, but my Dad laughed about it with me. He just wants me to be happy. He would sit with me on the mornings after wild parties, a cup of coffee waiting for me as I woke up. He never judged.
He just wants me to be happy. Even though I'm the reason he lost some of his happiness.
"Now you're just trying to get on my good side so I can make dessert" I joke with him.
He laughs loudly before sighing and looking at me. "I'm serious, Sunny," he says, "I know how tough everything was for you, but you made it through that. You need to take some pride in yourself."
I look away because I don't want to cry. He always puts me before himself.
"What about what you've been through?" I ask him. "You lost Mom and you lost Mae. The first two girls you ever loved."
He sighs and nods. "I miss your mom and your sister more than you could ever know, Sunny." His voice serious, "But my job on this Earth is to make sure you are safe and healthy. I don't want to lose you either. I want the best for you."
