Falling for My Younger Boss

Its Time

"I can't believe you two! Dad is in the hospital and you didn't even know! You didn't even wonder why he didn't come home after his treatment. And where were you, mom? I know you leave dad at the hospital during his treatments but where did you go after? The hospital has been calling to let you know what happened to dad but no one was home!" Amanda was furious when she got home and saw her mom and twin laughing about something over dinner. "And look at you two, laughing like nothing is wrong when dad is lying in a hospital bed!"

"Shut up Mandy! How do you know we don't care? How can you be so sure?" asked Anthony defensively. 

"Well, I don't see you running around the house trying to get dad's things together so you can bring it to him!" Amanda was both angry and frustrated. She doesn't understand how her mom and brother could be so nonchalant and uncaring about her dad's situation.

"Mandy, honey, calm down first. You're right, I'm sorry, I left your dad at the center because your aunt Marge picked me up there and asked for my help to pick new plates. I just couldn't say no to your aunt. You know how bad she is when it comes to design and stuff." Her mom approached her and tried to soothe her but Amanda won't have it.

"We both know this is not the first time you left dad at the hospital while he is having his treatments, mom. And only God knows for what."

"Why you--" Anthony approached Amanda and was ready to slap his twin but his mom stopped him.

"Anthony, don't hurt your sister!" Karen shouted.

"She's blaming you for what happened to dad, mom, and we both know it's not your fault. She always acts like she's the boss around here just because she gives us money."

"I never blamed mom, you i***t! I'm just telling things as it is. Whatever, I'm going up to rest. Good night." And with that, Mandy stomped out of the room, went upstairs, and slammed the door behind her. She's fed up already. She's so close to deciding to leave but she knows she can't especially with her dad lying in the ICU. She has no money to pay the hospital for a regular bed, what more an ICU admission. If only her mom and twin would help her earn some money if only her twin didn't "borrow" her savings, so many ifs. 

She cried herself to sleep that night.

__________

Amanda called Molly the next day to tell her she can't make it to the bakeshop today. She explained what happened to her dad and her boss readily agreed to let her take the day off. She left and rushed to the hospital and was surprised to see an empty room. She thought the worst and frantically searched for her dad.

She ran into Nurse Suzie who cleared up the confusion. "Mandy, honey, what's the rush? Are you looking for your dad? Don't worry, we transferred him to a regular room last night. His doctor came by and gave the orders when he saw his workups. He's in the clear. We just have to keep him another day and he can go home tomorrow." Suzie then gave her a half hug. 

"Really? That's great!" Amanda gave a sigh of relief and hugged Suzie tightly. She had been so worried about her dad since last night. She was also worried about the expenses but that was only second to her worries about her dad.

"And listen, I know about your situation so I talked to some people and I found you some good Samaritans who would pay for your dad's hospitalization. Don't worry too much honey, okay? Now go be the good daughter that you are and find your dad. He is in room 276." With that, Suzie gave her a quick smile and left.

__________

"Honey stop fussing about and sit beside me. I need to talk to you." George tapped the bed beside him and stretched out his arms to welcome his daughter into his arms.

"What is it, dad? Is there something wrong? Do you feel pain anywhere?" Amanda approached her dad and sat dutifully beside him. She took his right hand and placed it between her hands. 

"I'm all right honey, stop worrying your pretty little head about me." He squeezed her hand to reassure her. "I want to talk to you about the house."

Oh no, what is her dad up to? They had a discussion before about selling their house some time after his accident. He wanted to sell it but she refused because of sentimental reasons. It was the only thing they had left after all of her dad's savings were used for his treatments. Amanda loves their house. She grew up there. It wasn't a mansion but it was big enough to hold dinner parties her parents used to host when she was younger. The tree swing her dad made for her was still there, The treehouse where she and Anthony would hide when one of them got into trouble was still intact too. Their mom's rose garden is a little unkempt and needs weeding but there are still flowers that bloom. 

"Honey, it's time we sell the house. I know you would never sell it but remember, it is my house. I have always respected your decision not to sell the house. I know how much you love it but honey, I love you more. It breaks my heart every time I see you having a hard time. I know you don't think of me, of us, as a burden but please understand that as your father and with this condition, I can't help but feel that way." 

Tears started rolling down her father's cheeks, She knows how her dad feels about his situation and she has tried so hard not to make him feel that way. She has never shown any signs of fatigue or weakness whenever he's around, not if she can't help it. 

"Dad, you were and will never be a burden to me. Nor is mom and even Anthony," she reassured him. 

"I know that honey and I am happy that you're my daughter because you are who you are. But honey, it's time. My condition has stolen so much from you already. You didn't get to enjoy life the normal kids your age should have. You didn't even get a chance to date. You had to grow up right away and take all the responsibilities from me. You didn't graduate from college and just thinking about it breaks my heart." Her dad was still crying and at this point, he was already heaving. It pained Amanda to see her dad cry this hard. 

"Dad, it is not like there was ever anyone who was interested in me so why should I date? All the men my age are jerks or idiots and we live in a small town so they are all the same," she said jokingly to lighten the mood. 

Her dad placed his hands on her shoulders and said, "That's another thing honey, you should spread your wings if you leave Harrowpoint. I know you had big dreams before, I saw the pamphlets for a culinary school in your things before. I am sure if you pursue that, you'd be really good at it and it'll make you happy. I want you to be happy, honey. I want you to pursue your dreams." 

Amanda was surprised to find out that her dad knows about her plans. She never told anyone about it but maybe, he had an idea all along because they always bonded over cooking and baking. But she can't apply for culinary classes, they are too expensive and she doesn't even have any savings because of her twin. 

"Dad, culinary school is expensive. The money that I earn from working at the bakery and the diner won't be enough to apply, it is no way near what I need. Maybe if I could get a different job that pays more, I'd be able to afford it--" Her dad stopped her and she was surprised to hear what he said.

"I know that that young man you brought home a couple of months ago offered to help you. I overheard you two talking. He is right, you know. What about you? What about what you want? I want you, for the first time in your life, to be selfish, honey. I want that so badly for you." Her dad's voice was determined. He really wants her to leave and Amanda felt a tightness in her chest from all the mixed emotions she was feeling at that time.

"Honey, you call that young man and tell him you'd take his offer. We'll sell our house so that we'd have money to pay for what we need until your brother gets a stable job, and I will make sure he does, and a little extra for your plane ticket to LA." From the tone of his voice, it seems her dad has been thinking about it for a while now.

"Dad, he probably doesn't remember me by now. It's been months since we spoke." Amanda wishes though that this wasn't true, that he had forgotten about her, again. 

"Just try giving him a call, honey. If he doesn't remember his offer or you, then that's okay. Just try to find a job there, save up, and then apply for culinary school. I want to see you soar honey. You have so much talent and it is wasted here in our town." He took her hands in his, lifted them up to his lips, and kissed them. "I want you to be happy, honey. I always have and I always will. Promise me you'll leave Harrowpoint and make a name for yourself." He was holding her hands so tightly that it was painful. 

"I promise, dad. I will leave Harrowpoint and be happy. I love you, dad." She hugged her dad and placed her head in the nook of his shoulders and cried softly there. She is afraid to leave, to be somewhere new but she'd do anything for her dad and if being selfish is what would make him happy then so be it.

"I love you too, my princess."

__________

They were calling for her flight. Her family didn't go with her to the airport, she didn't want them to because she felt she would lose all the courage she mustered up these past few weeks to leave. Instead, she said her goodbyes at home and took the bus to the next town where she took another bus to the city where the airport is.

Her mom was against the selling of the house and she knew why. Her mom never accepted their situation, that they didn't have any money anymore. Being in their old house made her feel that nothing has changed. She would still insist on having people and being this amazing hostess even if she knew Amanda didn't have enough money to pay for these dinner events. Her mom grew up poor and had always dreamt of a lavish lifestyle. Apart from her dad, her mom being that way was one of the reasons that Amanda worked so hard, she wanted to give her a good life. 

Anthony was over the moon with the thought of having a lot of money after selling their house but her dad gave him "the talk." He wants him to get a job, that he won't get a single centavo from the proceeds of the sale. Her dad, after going home from the hospital seemed to have changed. He was determined now and more assertive. Amanda knew why because he was doing this for her and she was grateful.  

They announced the last call for her flight. She stood up and looked around. In a couple of hours, she'll be in LA. She doesn't know where to start. She tried to get in touch with Robert but it was Sandra, his agent, who always answered his phone saying he is busy. She will try again when she gets there and she hopes that the next time she gives him a call, she'll hear his voice.