Bound by Blackwood

Elena “Dad?” I called out as I walked out of my room and into the living room. I hadn’t heard from him since I woke up, which was unusual. I walked into the sitting room to see him passed out on the couch, reeking of alcohol. He has been this way since Mum passed away 5 years ago: irresponsible, jobless, reckless, a true wastrel. I was forced to grow up quickly to take care of myself and him. In order to support my education and run the household, I worked at several jobs. I applied for and received a college scholarship as a result of my diligence. This morning, however, is different. He never drinks before noon. But it's only nine in the morning, and he's already completely inebriated. Well, to defend him, he and my mother first met sixteen years ago today. And due to that memory, I have no doubt that he remembers and is in this state right now. “Dad?” I said, gently tapping him. He groaned and shifted on the couch, slowly blinking his eyes open. “Princess?” he called out. “Hi, Dad!” “Hi, Princess! How are you?” he asked, sitting up. “I’m okay, Dad. I’m off to school. Will you behave while I’m gone?” "Yes, baby, yes, yes. He smiled and said, "I'll be fine." You look great, darling." “Thanks, Dad. I left pancakes for you on the stove and juice in the fridge.” “Enjoy your day, Dad, and try to stay out of trouble,” I said, kissing him on the cheek before leaving. He chuckled. “Yes, Princess. I’ll be fine.” I am well aware he won’t be fine. The memories of my mum are eating him up. ******* Sophia appeared in the hallway as I heard my name after leaving my Arch History class. The small blonde girl I met at freshman orientation, who allowed me to sit next to her, is my best friend and a psychology major who doesn't hesitate to express her opinions. She ran towards me with a wide smile on her face, filled with excitement, because she hadn’t seen me in over a week. Sophia had gone on a mini vacation with her mom. They have been doing that a lot lately because of the divorce between her parents. "Carter!" she cried out as she leaped on me and gave me a tight hug. "I have really missed you." “Sofia, you have been sorely missed. How was Italy?” “Italy would have been better without Mum. It didn’t help that she took us to this crappy motel without reception. I have missed this city, I won’t lie.” “The city missed you too, Sofia. So tell me, what we doing tonight to celebrate your return?” I said cheerfully “Did someone turn a new leaf while I was away?” Sophia asked with a mysterious grin. “Let's go have ice cream. My treat.” “Yayyy!!” ****** “First, you wanted to go out tonight, and now you take me for ice cream, which you don't usually like. What's the problem, Carter?” Sophia asked with worry. She read through me. I am really not in my right state today. Only happy because my best friend’s back and I won’t be lonely anymore. Although I didn't want to talk to her about my problems because I wanted us to celebrate her return. But now she's bugging me about it; I have to spill. “My dad's spiraling. I can literally feel him going away daily.” “Oh dear. Anything specific happened?” “Woke up to see him drunk and wasted on the couch. He never drinks before noon, Sophia. He is gradually losing it.” “I am so sorry, baby. Everything’s going to be fine. I promise. Who knows, your dad might find something to distract him from all the pain and anguish he feels now.” “I should be the distraction, Sophia,” I said as tears welled up in my eyes. “You should. But let’s be honest, you are really not. You are, in fact, a constant reminder of what he lost. And no, that is not your fault, but it is what it is.” She is so right. I have never thought about it in this light. And it hurts me that I am a daily reminder of the love that he lost. It doesn’t help that I looked so much like my mom. ****** The store bell dinged as I pushed open the door and walked in. It caught the attention of Racheal, my colleague, who was dusting off nonexistent dust from the top shelf. “Elena, hi!” she said, smiling. I worked at the bookstore downtown during school hours. I took the job a month ago after Mrs. Levings, the store owner, begged me to take the job, as she didn’t trust anyone else to help her daughter, Racheal, run the store. I work here during school hours when I do not have classes. The pay isn’t much, but it is not a problem for me since I already had a job at the restaurant before I started here and still have the job. So this job is just helping with extra cash. “Good day, Racheal. How are you?” “I am good. That top looks amazing on you. Where did you get it?” “Oh, thanks. It was my mum’s,” I answered. “Vintage, I like.” I quickly got to work arranging the book on the third shelf, as the store was rented last night for a book party, and most, if not all, of the books have been tampered with. The store will not be opening today due to the disarrangement in the store, and because of this a closed sign was put on the door to signify that we are not opening today, and this is why we were surprised when the bell dinged, notifying the entrance of someone, and we weren’t expecting anyone. Racheal and I were arranging the seventh shelf now, which was at the far end of the store, and we couldn’t see the door from this location. I got down from the ladder that aided me to reach the top of the shelf and walked towards the door with Racheal coming behind, and this is where we saw a man, not the usual bookstore customer, beside the counter with his eyes scanning the room. He looks a bit overdressed for the weather, with a dark jacket and cap pulled low. “Sorry, we’re closed for today. Did you miss the closed sign?” I inquired. He didn’t pay me heed as I spoke. Doesn’t even look in my direction. He slowly picks up a book from the counter, flips a page without reading, and walks up to me. And only then does he look at me. “You’re Richard Carter’s daughter, right?” My eyes widened. Is my dad okay? Is he in trouble? What would have happened to him to warrant this shady man coming to the store to ask me about him? “Uh… yes. Is there a problem?” The shady man gives a thin smile that doesn’t reach his eyes. “Just making sure,” he said. “Tell your dad people don’t like waiting. He knows what I mean.” Before I could even utter another word, he drops the book carelessly on the counter and walks out. “What was that about?” Racheal asked, looking at me confused. I forced a smile, not giving her an answer as I picked up the book. A heavy dread settled in my chest; something is definitely wrong with my father, and I am not even sure I want to know.