The One For Me (18 page)

“I have a younger brother? How old are you?” he asks.

“Fourteen.”

“You look like me,” Liam says. “We all look alike.”

His mom sobs harder. “I’m so sorry…so so sorry. Katy explained what happened. Why you didn’t write back. She told me everything. She found me. I thought you didn’t want to speak to me. I couldn’t blame you. It was everything for me to stay away from you.”

She hugs him again but he is staring at me over her shoulder. “Maybe we should go inside,” he says, laughing.

“Yes, that would be lovely,” she says, wrapping her cardigan around her slender waist. “That would be great.”

He gestures for Brian and Mary Beth to go inside. He stands at the doorway for en entirely long minute. “Thank you, Katy,” he says, his voice cracking.

God, I want to touch him. To touch the scruff growing along his jaw. To kiss his lips. But I don’t. Because he doesn’t make a move toward me at all. He stands still, hands in his pockets.

“You’re welcome. It was the least I could do,” I say.

He nods. “Well, I better get inside.” His eyes catch mine. I nod.

“Of course. Go mingle, get to know your family.”

He nods. “Yeah…guess I’ll see you later.”

“Bye,” I say, as he shuts the door. I stare at the wooden door for five minutes. My heart is screaming for me to beat on it. To bang until he opens, to throw my arms around him and never let go. But, I don’t. My brain tells me to give up. That he doesn’t want to make it work. He is through with me.

So I turn around and leave, desperately waiting to hear the door open and him run out into my arms. It doesn’t. The only sound is the cars passing by and my heavy breathing.

I start my engine and reverse down the road. As much as it pains me, I know I done the right thing. Whether Liam ever talks to me again or not. I know that he got to meet his mom and brother. I know that that is something no one else has ever given him. The one thing he wanted so badly. I gave him what he deserves.

Chapter Eleven

It’s not that I thought Liam would suddenly forgive me and forget about Hayden. But I had hoped. My mom is out in the garden when I get home. She is in her blue jeans shirt, bandana and water proof boots. I smile. Our Saturday tradition. Pulling weeds and watering the garden. I haven’t helped her lately. I’ve been too worried about Liam and our ‘pretend’ relationship.

“How did it go?” Mom asks, taking off her dirty gloves, shoving them into the pocket of her shirt.

I shake my head. “It didn’t go very well,” I say. “He was happy to see them, but not me. I don’t know what to do. I’ve done all that I can think of. He just left me outside,” I whisper. “He didn’t forgive me.”

Mom wraps her arms around me, stroking my hair. “He will come around, sweetheart. He will realize how great you are, I promise.” She pulls me back and looks at me. “In the meantime, let’s go inside real quick. I have something to show you.”

I wipe my eyes and take a deep breath. “Okay.”

I follow my mom into the house and stop short. My dad is standing in the doorway, his hand on the doorframe. He runs his hand through his hair and gives me a smile
. I’m glad he has something to smile about.
“What are you doing here?” I ask.
Did I miss his vehicle in the driveway?

I’m contemplating my escape methods when Dad clears his throat. “I parked out back,” he says. “I knew you wouldn’t come home if you knew I was here. Like you wish you were anywhere else but here right now,” he says.

“You got that right,” I snap, crossing my arms over my chest.
I’d rather be sitting in a room with Liam and him ignoring me.

“Sweetie,” Dad says, stepping forward, “I know you’re mad at me and I can’t blame you. I messed up and I know it hurt you and your mom. The harm is done. But, this move is for the best. The best for your mom, you and me. You might not see it now, but it is. It’s a good thing.” His eye averts to my mom’s. “Well, your mother and I have been talking. She told me about Liam…”

I groan. “Thanks Mom, thanks a lot.”

Mom shrugs her shoulders. “I’m worried about you, baby.”

“There is nothing to worry about. We just aren’t together anymore? Neither are you two, should I worry about you?”

“No, we’re adults. You’re sulking around the house like a child. What you done for Liam was nice, baby. But, you’re upset. Your dad and I decided that you need to go spend a few days with your dad. We already talked to your teachers; this will be good for you. You would leave today and spend until Wednesday, then be back in school by Thursday,” Mom says, biting her lip. I notice she has been doing that lately when she is nervous.

“You can’t be serious. I’m not going anywhere with
him
,” I spit. “I can’t run away from my problems like Dad does.”

“Now, you wait one freaking second, Katy. I may have messed up but I am still an adult and your father and I always will be. You will treat me with respect.” He looks at Mom who gives him a little nod. “And this isn’t debatable. You’re coming to stay with me for a few days. It will help you get your mind off things. There are plenty of things to do in Florida. It’s gorgeous. There are malls and beaches.”

  
“I don’t want to go,” I say.

“Well, you’re going, babe,” Mom says, pointing to my suitcase leaned up against the hallway door. “Your bag is already packed.”

This is not happening. This has to be a terrible bad dream
. I close my eyes and reopen them. Both of my parents are still staring at me. “I hope you’re happy, Dad.” I turn on my heel and march up to my room. I dig my cell out of my pocket but realize I have no one to call. My best friend thinks I’m a self-centered drama queen, my ‘pretend’ boyfriend, doesn’t want to see me, and even my ex-boyfriend that wants to get back to together is mad because I humiliated him.

I shove my phone back into my pocket and finally let the tears that have been fighting me all day, down my face.
Maybe a weekend away from everyone will help? Maybe I’ll get back and everyone will talk to me again? Maybe some of them will realize they give a damn about me.

I sit on my bed until my dad knocks on the door. It’s loud and heavy. “Come in,” I whisper. I’m not even sure if my dad hears me.

He must, because he opens the door, peaking through the crack until I look up at him.

“You ready to go?” he asks. “Our plane leaves in an hour. We need to head out,” he says.

“Yeah, I guess,” I whisper. “If we have to.”

Dad smiles. “It’s not as bad as you think it’s going to be, I promise. Come on, let’s go.” I stand up and follow Dad downstairs. Mom is standing with my suitcase. She is smiling but I can tell it’s just for show. It looks like the smile she gives my grandma when she comes down to visit. The thought makes my stomach hurt.
It won’t be the same. Will Grandpa and Grandma still come down for Christmas, even if Dad’s not here?

I fight back the tears, they’re threatening to fall. Mom reaches out for me, kisses my check and hugs me. “I love ya, baby girl. I’ll see you Wednesday, okay? You need a few days off. Go have fun on the beach.”

I nod even though it’s way too chilly to be on the beach. I can go to the beach here. Why is it they’re making it out to be so much better in Florida? I fight the urge to stomp my foot. I don’t want to go. I want to stay and wallow in my self pity in my own room. “Okay, Momma.”

She gives me another kiss, walking Dad and I out the door. I walk slowly, waiting for something to happen. For Mom to change her mind, for Jen to run down the road, for Hayden to beat on my window, kiss me and keep me in his arms forever. Nothing happens. Dad packs my suitcase into the back, and then shuts the truck. I watch my dad give my mom a hug. I doubt he means it, but the gesture is nice.

Dad opens his door and digs his keys out of his pocket. “This is going to be fun, Katy. Just wait.”

I’m waiting…

We load the
plane. I don’t give Dad a chance to talk. I don’t want to talk to anyone. I plug my earphones in my ears and close my eyes. Hopefully when I open my eyes again this will all have been a terrible nightmare.

I wake up with Dad shaking my shoulders. “Katy, get up, we’re in Florida. Get up, babe,” he says, low in my ear.

I peak one eye open and see Dad leaning down in my face, his scruffy beard mostly all I can see. “Okay, I’m up, Dad. Jeez,” I say, rubbing my head. It seems like it was hit with a three ton hammer.

Dad rolls his eyes and stands up to get our carry-ons. He stands up and tugs at his white t-shirt. I shift my leg that’s tucked under me and stand up. My eye catches a woman in the aisle behind Dad, staring at him. Blankly staring at him, not trying to hide it or anything. She has long legs, auburn hair and white teeth. Not to mention a ginormous rack. She looks vaguely familiar.

“Danny?” she asks. It takes me a second to realize she is talking to my dad. His name is Danny.

He turns and gets this whitish ghost look on his face. “Beth?”

Beth?
Beth the sectary at dad’s office, the one Mom caught him with. Heat spreads up my neck when I look at her.

“How are you?” she whispers, tucking her hair behind her ear.

“Fine, I’m fine. I’ve moved here.”

“To Florida? Moved? For good? I knew that’s what they were saying around the office, but I wasn’t sure.” Her blue eyes flicker to mine.

I give her the best
I’m a badass
look I can conjure up.

“Oh, how rude. This is my daughter, Katy. Katy this is Beth.” Dad gestures toward her. I see the please
don’t embarrass me
look in her eyes.
Too bad, Dad. You made your bed.

Beth stretches her hand out toward me. I look down at her hand and push my way through Dad and her. “I hope you’re happy,
Beth.
My dad and mom are no longer together because you couldn’t keep your legs close. Good for you,” I say, turn on my heel and walk off the airplane.

I know it wasn’t the
right
thing to do, but man do I feel a hell of a lot better. I keep walking even though I hear my dad calling my name. The airport is cramped and I shove people to get through to the doors. By the time I get to the double doors, my Dad has caught up with me, his hand wrapping around my elbow.

“Katy,” he says, snatching me toward him. I turn to look at him, his eyes are watering. He doesn’t say anything else. He pulls me behind him. He leads us back toward the conveyer belt, where he gets out baggage. I don’t say or do anything. The tears in his eyes were enough to silence me for a decade. He doesn’t make sure I’m following him when he starts toward the doorway, but I do.

He throws his hand out for a Taxi. We wait in silence until a Taxi pulls up to the sidewalk. I get in silently, watching my dad load our baggage. “7
th
Street Beach Front, number 11,” Dad says. He leans back and closes his eyes.

I see a tear fall down his disgruntled face. I turn the other way; I can’t make myself look at him. I’ve only seen my dad cry once. It was when my mom and I had a car crash on the way to school one morning. He came running toward our vehicle that was lying upside down. He was hysterical then, pain covered his face. Here he is sad. He is sad that our lives have come to this. I am, too.

The taxi driver pulls over to the side of the road and parks. I glance up and see a small beach front house. It’s wooden, porch swing, sand everywhere. The view is a lot like Aaron’s Michelle’s house was like. I step out and look around. There are a row of houses down the street, volley ball nets, basketball goals, the normal family homes. I look at Dad’s house. A family won’t live here. At least not for a while.

“This way,” Dad says, walking past me toward the house. I take step behind him, my feet weighing down in the sand. Dad drops our suitcases and unlocks the door. It’s an open floor plan, lots of space. The floors are wooden, there are sliding glass doors that lead straight to the beach.

Dad disappears into a hallway to the right. I follow behind him, taking in the house as I go. “This will be your room when you ever come down,” Dad says, dropping my suitcase. I feel like he knows I don’t want to come down. In fact, I’m sure he knows that.

“It’s nice,” I say. It’s a nice queen bed, a TV, dresser and bathroom attached. But, it’s not comfy. It’s foreign.

He nods. “I’m going to get a shower, you can go check out the beach if you want to.” He doesn’t wait for me to say anything, he just leaves.