Life saviour

Chapter sixteen - I need to find her dad

Zach's POV:

I have been thinking about something for the past few days. Zoe keeps taking care of her mom. She barely has time for anything else. I can't help her, but I can do something else. The problem is that she might hate me for this. I haven't told her what I plan to do because she will stop me. Every kid has two parents. Her mom lives with her. Let's focus on the father. I have no idea where this man is. Neither how to find him. One thing is sure. I have to talk with him. Zoe needs proper parenting. I don't know who her dad is, but I believe he is in a better state. I went to check on my friend the other day. I feel sorry that I did. She looked terrible. I helped her with the chores, hoping she would go out with me. That didn't happen. We spent the rest of the day inside. I wish I could help her, but I don't have more ideas. I heard Zoe and her grandma are not in a good relationship. I planned to talk with her, but I gave up. Jake said he might help me with this. The question is about how I am supposed to do it. I don't have any information about him, but someone should have. I think I know where I should ask for it. The only problem is that I might not receive it. This won't be good. I hope I can find this man and make him talk with Zoe.

A few months ago, I was jumping from girl to girl. Now, I can't stop thinking about one. She took my mind straight away. I used to make fun of her, but I stopped. She doesn't deserve this. I feel the need to help her, but I'm useless. What I can do is to make her spend more time with me. This time, I won't use her. That was the old Zach. I found someone who made me stick by them. I didn't think that was possible, but I'm glad it happened. She is the one.

I barely slept last night. My plan is supposed to work, but I have my concerns. I'm not related to Zoe. This means I have nothing in common with her dad. The other problem is that I don't know his name. Mister Smith. That won't help me at all. A man who has a daughter my age named Zoe. Useless. I went to get ready for school and went to eat. My parents can help me, but I don't plan on telling them. I don't want to be grounded again. It's not like I'm doing something that bad.

- You don't talk. - my mom said

- I have nothing to tell you. No matter what I say, you always think it's terrible.

- That is because you never do anything good.

- It's not true. I have done good things.

- Like what?

- I have helped.

- Yes, when you were twelve. I mean something more recent.

- What's the point of it? No one will say thank you.

- Is it what all this is about?

- No, it's not. I won't say anything about it.

- We only want to help you.

- You can, but you won't do it.

- Why not?

- Because when I tell you what it is, you will start with the questions and investigate everything. I prefer to keep this for myself.

- If we don't do it, will you share?

- No.

- Kid, we can help. You can trust us. - my dad said

- How can you find a person without any information?

- What? Who do you want to find?

- See?

- Tell us what you want us to do. - my mom said

- I want the dad of one friend. The parents are divorced.

- Does your friend know?

- No. I won't tell them anything for now.

- Do you know his name?

- Only the last name. Smith.

- Do you know how many people there are with this name? It's a common one.

- I know. The only thing I know is he has a kid my age. That is my friend.

- You can ask your friend about the first name of the father. That might help.

- Yes, but they will find out.

- You can ask the mother.

- No way. The woman is crazy.

- Zach.

- I'm serious. She is a depressed alcoholic. I have seen her.

- She is what?

- Trust me, this woman can't help me.

- I don't know how we can help you when you don't know anything. You should give us more information.

- I don't have it.

- Well, I'm sorry. I can't do much. Is it a boy or a girl?

- Does it matter?

- You won't do this for everyone.

That is true. I won't do this for anyone. Zoe is not a pass-by girl. She means a lot to me. This is why I will keep her. After breakfast, I walked to school. My plan might not happen today. I can talk with Zoe's grandpa. He might tell me more. The only issue is that I have no idea where to find him. I went to class and sat next to Dylan. He refused to talk to me. I did the same thing on the lunch break. I feel like he is mad at me.

- Are you ok? Why don't you want to talk with me?

- Let me think. Maybe because of the s**t that walks after you.

- Zoe is not a s**t.

- You had to keep her away.

- Why? She is a nice girl. I like her.

- What? You like her.

- Yes, I do. We are friends. That's it.

- I know you. Girls being your friends is not something you can do.

- Well, I did it.

- Zach.

- Friends can have benefits. Won't you tell me why you are mad?

- Because we don't date girls. Remember?

- I'm not dating Zoe. We only hang out.

- Yeah, sure. This will happen soon.

- What is going on with you? Whenever I mention dating, you get mad.

- Because girls don't know how to keep a boy around. They play and leave.

- That is not true. Not every girl is like that.

- Keep defending her. I won't help you when she leaves.

- I wasn't referring only to Zoe. You don't know every girl.

- There is no need for that. I know them.

- Yeah, sure. Open your eyes. Someone might like you.

- I won't allow that. I don't date. Unlike you, I won't ruin my life.

- Dylan.

- I don't want to talk about this. Enjoy your lunch. I'm out. - he said and left

This didn't end well. I won't bother him anymore. Zoe might be able to fix this. I went to wait for her in front of her school. She came but didn't go home. Maybe she has other plans. I will gladly join her. I shouldn't visit her so often because we are only friends. I can change that, but I won't. I went in front of her and hid by a tree. When she passed by, I grabbed her hand. You are mine now.

- Zach? What are you doing here?

- I came to see you. Where are you going? This is not the way to your house.

- I'm going to my grandparents' house.

- Can I come?

- Um, sure. I guess.

- If you don't want me there, say it. I won't insist.

- No, it's ok.

- Thank you. How was your day?

- It was good.

- How is your mom?

- The same as usual.

- You don't talk much about your dad. Do you miss him?

- Not much. I'm used to the life I have now.

- What is his name?

- Adam. Why are you asking me all this?

- I thought you were named after him.

- No, I wasn't.

- Adam Smith. You kept his last name.

- Mom is still Smith, too.

- Have you ever planned to talk to him?

- I don't know what to tell him. He won't go back to my mom.

- This doesn't mean you two shouldn't talk.

- Yes, but I don't know if I want to see him.

- Are you mad at him?

- No, but I don't want to be with his new family.

- How do you know he has one? You two haven't talked.

- I don't think he will stay single.

- This is what you think. It doesn't mean it's true.

- Why do you care so much about my dad?

- Because I want to know who the worst parent was.

- Both. They could've figured out their issues without a divorce.

- If you need anything, I'm here. I won't leave you alone.

- Thanks. It's good to know it.

Zoe and I went to her grandparents' house. Only her grandpa was there. I can use the chance to talk with him. This man must know something more about her dad. The problem is that he might not want to tell me. After all, I'm no one. This information is not for me. My friend said she would study in the backyard. Now it's my chance. I had to find this man and make him talk to her. This might not fix their relations, but it might help. I want the happy Zoe back.

- Can I ask you something?

- Sure. How can I help you, boy?

- What do you know about Zoe's dad?

- Adam? Why?

- I'm curious.

- Boy, I might be old, but I'm not stupid.

- I want to find him and make sure he talks with her. Can you help me?

- I appreciate your effort, but I don't think this is a good idea.

- Please.

- I don't know much.

- You know his name. All I know is Adam Smith. What is his middle name?

- Morrison. Adam Morrison Smith.

- Great. When was he born? I mean, the year.

- Adam was born in 1975. Anything else?

- I don't know. Tell me anything that can help me. Do you know his address?

- No, I don't. You can ask in the municipality. They might give you information.

- The problem is that I'm not related to him. They might not give me anything.

- I can come with you if you want.

- Thanks, but I better do it alone. If Zoe gets mad, you don't need to be part of this.

- She won't get mad at you.

- Why are you so sure?

- I saw the way she was looking at you. My granddaughter is in love with you.

- I wish.

- Ask her. I'm sure the answer will be positive.

- Maybe. I don't have time for this now.

- Don't leave her. She doesn't have many friends.

- Don't worry. I won't leave her alone.

- You are a good boy.

- Thanks. Can you do me a favor?

- Sure.

- Don't tell her about this. I don't want her to have high hopes.

- It will be a secret between us.

- What secret? - Zoe asked

- I told him my secret about how I always win. This is when I play cards with my friends.

- Can I steal my friend from you?

- Sure. He is all yours.

I know a name and a birth year. This is not enough, but it can help me. I will see what I can do about this. All I have to do is to keep this away from Zoe. She might not like it. We have good relations, and I don't want to ruin them. Also, I can't guarantee he will want to talk with her. After all, they haven't seen each other for two years. I have some hopes for this. It can't be that bad. The problem is his new family. I don't know if they will let him talk to her. I know how some women react to this. She is still his daughter. Nothing can change that. I hope that he will agree to see her.