A Home From Nothing

Chapter 11

“What does it say?” I ask, getting a little impatient the more pages he flips without saying anything.

“It’s just a log of all the money he’s taken. It starts off with just borrowing and putting it back but a few months in it stops reporting returning anything. This is definitely your father’s handwriting though.”

“To be honest with you it's been so long since I’ve had anything to do with my parents that I can’t even remember what their handwriting looks like.”

“How did you say it's been again? Four years? He never even mentioned a kid let alone one running away. I really just can’t wrap my head around that. Not with all the barbecues, office parties and the occasional after work drink. You’d think something would have given it away.” Brant mused.

“Well that makes sense to me. They never really cared if I was around.” That was a sobering thought. Yes, I’ve had it before but that doesn’t make it any easier. Especially now that there’s no opportunity to fix it. There’s no chance for them to try to reach out and apologize. Oohh god, more tears now. I look around for tissues or something to stem the flow before one of them see, but Jenna, clearly observant, picks up the box on the cabinet next to her and hands it to me.

No amount of deep breaths or calming thoughts could help me this time. Its like the dam just broke and all the emotions from the last 4 years just come tumbling out of my eyes and down my face. My legs give out and I drop to my knees on the floor, arms wrapped around my chest as the ache I’ve been ignoring becomes overwhelming.

I let out as much as I can without making the other two in the room more uncomfortable than they already look. Just as I'm pulling myself back together and able to breathe without the crushing weight, a man that I remember seeing from the chaos in the other room knocks at the door frame and informs us the police just got here, then he steps to the side so they can enter. I grab a couple more tissues and try to pull myself together while listening to Brant tell the cops what was found.

“And who’s this?” The balding officer asks Brant, like I can’t talk for myself.

“I'm Lia, their daughter.” I snap, finally able to stem the flow of tears and snot cascading from various holes in my face. I stand up and walk over to him and offer my hand.

“I didn’t see any evidence of a kid at their house. I was the one who found them, headed the investigation and checked into their background.” He said, looking at me suspiciously.

“You know, I would love it if everyone would stop saying I don’t exist. I am literally right in front of you and I know who raised me. Now, I am going to go seeing as you no longer need my assistance.” I get Jenna’s attention and give her a small wave before walking out the door and back towards the elevator. Before I’ve made even a dozen steps, Brant is chasing after me asking me to stop.

“Would you leave me with your phone number? So I can contact you if anything of interest pops up, or we have more questions.”

“Well since you asked so nicely, I guess.” I say, holding my hand out for his phone with an eye roll. He did ask nicely but I'm still annoyed with him. He pulls up the keypad and hands over the phone. After I type in my number and hand it back to him he thanks me and turns back to my fathers old office. Seconds later I feel my phone go off in my pocket. I ignore it, assuming it was Brant giving me his number in return. Making my way back through the now quieter storm in the main room, I see the man who escorted the cops on the other side of the room and nod in his direction. He waves back and stands to walk towards the elevators too. He makes it to the elevator just seconds before I do, and presses the down button to call the elevator for me.

“Im Zach, I’ve been here for a couple months now but haven’t seen you around. What area do you work in here?” Zach asks, a flirtatious smile and mischief in his eye.

Zach has warm brown eyes, dark wavy hair with just enough length to comb it and it stay where its put and a sinful smile I find myself responding in kind to.

“I'm Lia, I don’t work here. My dad used to though. That was his office you brought the police to.” I inform him, looking away to hold back the tears before they fall, again.

“Ohh, I'm sorry for your loss. I didn’t interact with him much, but your dad seemed like a pretty good guy.”

“Im glad someone thought so.” I murmur, ready for the elevator to get here.

“Well, knowing that makes this a bit awkward but I was hoping to ask you out for a drink. Well, before I found out about your dad.” He says sheepishly

“You know what, I would love the distraction. I am only in town for a few more days, how does tonight sound?” I say in a rush before I can talk myself out of it. I need to get out and meet more people. Like Domino says, I'll never find someone if I don’t start looking.

He lets out a beaming smile and as the elevator doors open he says, “Sweet, i’ll pick you up at 7. Let me get a paper for your address.”

“Hang on!” I half shout holding the doors open, as he begins walking away. He stops mid step and looks at me. “Sorry, I’ll drive myself. Where would you like to meet?”

Zach’s face falls a little at that but he names a bar not too far from here, one I saw on the way here. When I agree to meeting there at 7, the smile he had before lights his face again and that’s the last thing I see before the doors close on me and I make my way back to my parents house.