Chapter 16
1244 Words
Tuesday…
Michaela…
The phone continues to ring and I keep hoping he doesn’t answer it. He does and I start punching the air.
I’m planning on running away. I guess I am my parents’ daughter after all. But in my defence, I really think my mother needs some space from me. So technically I am not running away. I’m giving her space to breathe.
I think we both need it.
“Hello…”
The voice on the other side of the line is quite calm. Nonetheless, I remain quiet.
“Michaela, is there something wrong? Is your mom okay?” My dad doesn’t sound like he’s panicking. I’m even doubting his genuine concern.
“I’m fine. I just need a place to crash for a few days.” It’s hard to ask him for anything because I still need him to believe that I’m mad at him.
“Why?... Did your mother kick you out?” In all honesty my dad sounds like he’s excited for my ‘troubles’. It seems like he’s happy to be my saviour or something.
“Are you happy to save me?” I ask him.
“Yes of course. You’re my daughter, I’d be happy to do anything for you!”
My sarcasm is lost on him. He must’ve been waiting for a chance like this for so long.
“Nothing’s wrong dad. Mom and I had an argument and I said some really not so nice things to her. I need a place to crash until she cools off. She needs space from me and you’re the only legal guardian available and I don’t want her to panic while I’m gone.”
I don’t know why I’m over explaining but I really need him to get the point. This is definitely not a bonding session.
“Well, whatever the reason, I’m just happy to help.”
He sounds a bit disappointed but I don’t really care.
“Don’t get any ideas dad. I just think you should get a taste of the bitterness. You know, consequences of your own actions. Mom has been having it. She needs a break.”
“You called me dad. (He chuckles nervously). That’s a start. I think we’re gonna get along quite well.”
“Okay. I guess you’ll pick me up then?” I’m not hopeful. I look forward to seeing Joseph.
“I’ll make a plan.”
“Sure.” I say and end the call.
My mother passes by quietly.
“Hey, ma…” I call out to her and she lets go of the door handle.
“Yeah.” She’s impassive.
“I’m gonna leave for a few days. I think we both need space and time from each other…” I don’t know what else to say. I don’t want to say anymore wrong things.
“I don’t want you to leave.” There’s an emotion behind her words, I’m not quite sure what it is. She seems upset by what I’m saying.
“I know. Mother instincts. (I chuckle ironically). Uhm I want to leave. I’m going to go live with dad for a few days. That’s what you wanted, right?”
“No! I wanted you guys to bond. I don’t want him to take you from me. Don’t. Don’t go. I. I. I can’t. He can’t take you. I forbid it!” She’s crying and it hurts.
I, of all people understand why it hurts.
“Mom, I’m not leaving forever. It’s just a few days. I’m looking forward to saying some really mean things to him.” I try to smile to lighten the mood.
“What if you like him more than me and then you stay with him and then I lose you forever?” She’s breaking down and I hold her. We sit on the floor and I let her cry in my arms.
“Mom I won’t leave you.”
Memories of a time when we were once happy return to me.
When my mother lost Michael, that was the last nail on the coffin for her. She had lost everything. My dad had left. Her parents disowned her. She was all alone and she couldn’t even take care of me.
She gave me up to her parents because she had postpartum depression. My grandparents paid for her treatment but every time she saw me, it was like life slowly returned to her. She had something to fight for and she fought for me.
My fake dad helped her to fight for my custody and I’m quite surprised that they didn’t use my real paternity against them. I guess they really do hate my dad.
“I won’t leave you mom. I know I’m still angry about this whole thing but I won’t leave you. You fought for me. Your decisions were questionable but still, you fought for me. You’re dealing with a lot. You’re still grieving and I know I remind you of him. I know each day you wonder how he would have been…”
I’m trying to hold back my tears.
“I wonder too…”
I sniffle.
“Sometimes I feel alone. Sometimes I feel like I see him in my reflection. It’s just a few days, I’ll be back.”
“You will?” Her voice is strained. Her words are laced with a tarnishing desperation.
I brush her head as I assure her.
“I will.”
More tears escape her and I start to feel my pyjamas getting wet but I pay no mind to it.
***
The car arrives whilst we’re still sitting in the same position.
I hear Joseph’s familiar knock on the other side of the door.
“Of course…” I let out a sigh.
“Come in. It’s not locked.” I didn’t expect to be this disappointed.
The door opens and two people enter.
“Oh my god is she alright?!” I hear my father’s voice before recognising his face. His face shocks me, actually.
“She’ll be alright. But I’m okay, thanks for asking.” I give him a creepy smile with my eyes bulging out of my sockets.
“Don’t take her from me, please…” My mother’s voice is hoarse so I continue to brush her head softly.
“We can all go together.” My dad is so cheerful as he makes the suggestion.
“No! Mom needs time from me. I’m not good for her right now. I’ll come visit after school and then we’ll leave. So you have to pick me up and take me to school…”
He seems like he’s ready to protest.
“Now is not the time to be a busy business man. You need to be an available family man! This started when you left. Everyone left and I was all she had. She almost lost herself completely at the prospect of losing me. You have to man up right now!”
“I left because I wanted to better for her…”
“Well now she needs you to stay!”
“I get what you meant. It’s quite nice not to be on the receiving end of your wrath…” A chuckle leaves my mom and she eventually begins to laugh.
I join her.
When we leave, she’s already asleep and it’s almost noon. We grab some takeaways at a drive through and head to the hotel where my dad lives.
- Writer
