At the beginning

Chapter 2

Ivy

“Do you want a softie?” Dad asked, placing two plates on the dining table.

“Sure.” I nodded, sitting down on the chair I used to sit at when I was a child.

Dad put the can of soft drink in front of me before sitting across from me at the table. Although graying now, his hair was the same dark brown as mine with a slight wave to it. His skin was tanned from working in the sun his whole life on Grandpa’s farm, unlike my pale, peaches and cream complexion that belonged to my Mum. His green eyes reflected my own. Although I looked like my Mum in lots of ways, my Dad’s features were definitely mixed in.

We had the usual small talk while eating our dinner. (Which was a barbecue as I expected) Only surface topics, nothing too deep or emotional.

“So, what are you going to do for work while you are here?” Dad questioned, placing his knife and fork on the table beside his finished plate. I raised my eyebrows at him in shock. I wasn’t planning on staying home all day, but I didn’t think there was a time crunch on how long I had to figure it all out.

“Umm… I don’t know. I was going to start having a suss this week I guess.” I muttered, pushing a sausage around on my plate anxiously.

“So you haven’t thought about it yet?” Dad pushed.

“No, I only just got back…” I groaned. I fought the urge to roll my eyes at him.

“Well, I did. I got you a good job.” Dad said, standing up from the table, looking pretty proud of himself.

“You did?” I questioned, failing at hiding the sarcasm from my tone.

Dad ignored and simply nodded while filling up the sink with water.

“You really should get a dishwasher…” I muttered as dad squirted the dishwashing liquid into the water.

“Yea, yea.” Dad dismissed. “So, the job,” dad continued. I sighed.

“It’s a nanny job. You will be looking after the beta’s daughter. They wanted someone educated, qualified and reliable. I said you would be perfect, especially since you were coming back home!” Dad seemed pretty impressed with himself.

“But I’m a nurse, not a teacher.” I pointed out.

“They were fine with that! She is only three years old, so the teaching stuff will be pretty easy and she hey were glad you were medically prepared!” Dad continued trying to sell it to me. I wasn’t sold.

“Dad, I’m not sure…” I signed, rubbing the back of my neck with my hand.

“Oh, just give it a try! You might really like it.” Dad encourages. I couldn’t help but wait for the penny to drop. My dad was usually not the proactive, fatherly figure. There must be something more underlying.

“How did you hear about this job, dad?” I quizzed, watching, as instantly, he turned around to scrub the dish.

“Dad?” I pushed. He sighed, wiping some bubbles on the tea towel beside him.

“Sheree told me about it.” He almost whispered.

“Who is Sheree?” I asked, furrowing my brow.

“You know Sheree, the cook in the Alpha kitchen?” Dad winced slightly.

“Oh, why did she tell you?” I asked. It was unlike my Dad to go to the Alpha house.

“Well…” he swallowed before continuing. “Um…” he smoothed his shirt down nervously.

“Dad?” I pushed.

“I guess you would call her my girlfriend.” Dad muttered quietly, looking everywhere but at me.

I felt like a truck had just hit me. All the air escaped from my lungs. I fought hard to form some type of reply and not let Dad see how much this bit of information rocked me. But it hurt. It shouldn’t, but it did.

“Oh, right.” Was all I could do.

“I wanted to tell you.” dad stammered nervously.

“No, it’s good!” I tried to be upbeat and ignore my heartbeat exploding in my ears.

“Really? I was worried you wouldn’t be sure…” Dad grimaced. I could see his whole body visibly relaxing.

“No, it’s good.” I repeated, unsure of whether I was reassuring him or myself.

“I’m glad. She really wants to meet you.” Dad exclaimed excitedly. It was nice to see dad excited. It had been so long since there was any spark in his eyes. Probably ever since we got Mum’s diagnosis. Guilt was beginning to overwhelm me. I couldn’t expect dad to remain alone forever. He had such a lonely existence. This is a good thing.

Yes, this is a good thing.

“I would like that.” I nodded, that immense sadness still lingering within me despite my internal reasoning.

“I will set it up!” Dad grinned. “And you’ll go to the Beta’s house to meet Evie tomorrow?” Dad asked, turning back to face me with eyebrows raised.

“Yea sure. After I hang out with Liam in the morning.” I agreed as I picked up my plate and cutlery and passed it to Dad.

“Why don’t you go and unpack while I finish up here.” Dad stated, turning back to the sink.

I took a deep breath as I grabbed my bags and turned towards the hallway leading to the bedrooms, Dads on the leg and mine two doors down on the right.

Tears welled in my eyes as I walked past Dad’s bedroom and noticed that all of Mum’s things were gone from that room now. Sniffing quickly, I wiped my nose on the sleeve before Dad could notice.

It was like going back in a Time Machine when I stepped into my bedroom. The same turquoise knitted blanket covered my bed, the white sheer curtains over my window with the pictures of the animals at grandpa's farm and of Liam and I pinned on them. My CD played on my desk with the So Fresh CD still in it. I couldn’t help but chuckle. I opened my empty wardrobe, thankful I had done a huge clean-out before I left, and began hanging my clothes from my duffle bag. Allowing my overactive mind time to go blank on a mindless task.