In Blue Water

Chapter 6

Phoebe pov

When we land, we go to Ashley’s apartment. I left my thighs there, and after a shower, I went to the hospital. My mom had texted the room number, so I asked a nurse, and I found the room immediately. I knock, and when I hear my mom’s voice, I enter.

“Mom,” I say, and I walk to the bed. My dad was sleeping, and my mom came close, and she hugged me.

“Sweetie. I missed you.”

“I missed you too, Mom. What happened?” She sighs, and she leads me to the couch

“He finds out about Christin.”

“What do you mean?”

“George came home looking for you. The one led to the other, and he said about the mistake he made and that he wants you back.”

“And?”

“He said what he did with Christin, and then your dad asked Christin and....” she is crying by now

“Everything came in the light. Your dad was sorry about how he treated you and he....” She was sobbing, so I hugged her, and I started crying with her. Damn it, George, you have to go all the way.

“It’s ok, Mom,” I say, and I caress her hair

“Phoebe,” I hear a weak voice, and I turn my head. My dad has opened his eyes, and he looks at me

“Dad,” I say, and I look; my mom

“Go, sweetie,” my mom tells me. I stand up, and I go to my dad. He is weak and pale with oxygen, and he is content with the machines. I take his hands gently and squeeze light.

“How are you feeling, dad?”

“I’m ok, honey,” he says, and he coughs. My mom gives him water

“I’m sorry you cut your vacations early for me,” he says, and I laugh

“It’s fine, dad. You and mom always come first.”

“You look different,” he says with a frown

“What do you mean?”

“You look a little tired from the trip, but you shine for a reason,” he says, and my mom agrees. My mind goes to Greece and Filippo's, and I smile.

“Is not the time to talk about me. How are you?” I say, and he smiles

“I’m so sorry, honey. For everything,” he says, and I see tears in his eyes. The fall on his cheeks. I wipe them, and I kiss his forehead

“I never was mad at you, Dad. Really”

“I was....”

“You are a great dad, and I couldn't ask for a better one. Ok?” He looks at me

“OK?” I insist

“Ok, honey. I love you,” he says, and I smile

“I love you too, Dad,” I say, and I sit on the chair next to him

“I’m sorry I was in a hurry to come here, and I forgot the presents,” I say, and they both laugh.

“It’s ok, sweetie. We are happy that you are here,” my mom says. We talked primarily about my trip and how fun I had

“Honey, I noticed something,” my dad said

“What?” I ask

“When you were talking about your time, you shine, and you had and different smile whenever you mention that man that toured the island,” he says, and I took my mom smiling

“Is someone special?” He asks, and I sigh. He is exceptional, and I will never forget him

“It doesn’t matter anymore; he is there. I’m here. But yeah, he has a special place in my heart, and he will always have”

“You are in love. You never talked about anyone else like that before,” my mom says with a smile

“So you and George no more.”

“No, Dad. Never.” I say, and he sighs in relief

“I never liked him anyway,” he says, and I laugh

“About that special guy. Can you tell us more?” My mom looked at me excited

“Mom”

“What, sweetie? I want to know; my daughter is in love.”

“It doesn’t matter, mom.”

“Please, honey,” my dad says

“Fine. He is the co-owner of the hotel where I stayed. His name is Filippos, and he is an amazing person,” I say, and they look at me

“That it?” My mom asked

“What else do you want to know?” I say

“I want to know more.”

“Mom, I will not talk with my parents about my personal life in detail,” I say

“She is a right sweetheart. I don’t want to know how the Greek guy takes advantage of my little girl.”

“Dad,” I say, and we laugh. I stay until the visit hours end, and when I exit the room, I see Christin

“Oh, the favorite daughter returned. How sweet,” she says

“You are unbelievable. Dad is in the hospital because of you, and you continue to be the b***h that you always are.”

“Is not my fault that all your men in your life choose me at the end.”

“Maybe you should respect your sister's life, and you wouldn’t be involved.”

“How do you respect me? All these years, Mom and Dad were always about you. I enjoy how I was the good daughter for Dad, and you were the bad one.”

“Well, what you said now?”

“Don’t worry; I will be Dad’s favorite again. And you will be the one that she couldn’t keep a man,” she says and walks inside the room. I left the hospital and went to Ashley’s. This was the first time that I didn’t bother with what she said. I don’t care. I had a great time in Greece, and she will not ruin it.

After a week, my dad was still in the hospital for observation. He is better but not good enough to return home. He doesn’t talk to Christin at all. Every time she goes to the hospital to play the good daughter, she leaves with empty hands. Maybe it isn't good, but I enjoy that.

I finished the article yesterday, and today I gave it to my excited editor. It will be published in the next edition of the magazine. I text Filippos to find out and to inform his brother. We communicated through text and FaceTime a few times, but we didn't talk about ourselves. Only random things, I didn’t mention anything about what we said at the airport, and neither did he. Maybe it was something at the moment. I know about my feelings, but even if I say something, he is there, and I’m here miles and miles away. I can’t move to Greece there isn’t something to do there, and Filippos must stay there to help his brother.

I’m with coffee with Ashley now after I see my editor

“So you will go see your dad later?”

“Yeah. How about you?”

“I think to come with you. To see your dad and mom. Maybe we can convince your mom to go home to rest for a while. She never leaves.”

“No. She has been there for almost ten days. I take her clothes to change. Thank God she is a nurse there, and she knows where to go for a shower,” I say, and I take a sip from my coffee

“Thanks for your support.”

“Don’t mention it, Phoebs, and you are my best friend. How is Filippos?”

“He is ok. He was excited that the article would be published.”

“Only that?” She asks

“Yes. Only that. What do you expect? We have miles that separate us.”

“Well, that can change.”

“Nothing is going to change. Stop giving me hope. He has to stay there; I’m here. It is not a few hours that separate us. Are a whole ocean,” I say, and she takes the hit to change the subject. It will be so difficult to find someone to make me forget Filippos. He ruins me for every other man.

Late at night, l lay on the bed back home. I sigh as I lay on the bed; my apartment is empty. I never in my life wanted someone besides me as I want now. And I want only one.