Fathers and Daughters
Part 7
Author: MacGateFan
Disclaimers in Part 1
I glared at them. They are so going to make me puke! I can't believe that Mom is leaving Dad for that loser. Although now that I'm really seeing who she is, I can guarantee Dad could do so much better.
Mom's new boyfriend has been driving me nuts, by the way. He keeps treating me as if I'm five years old. I have a curfew of eight o'clock on school nights and ten o'clock on the weekend. What is that about?
Today is going to be my first day back at my old school and I'm a little nervous. I really don't know what my friends, let alone the teachers, are going to think of my adventures. Not that it's any of their business, but you know they'll be curious as to where I've been.
Mom probably told the principal that Dad kidnapped me or something. I wouldn't put it past her. I mean, have you seen this house? It's totally fake just like her. Her entire life is a lie and it scares me that I'm being pulled into it.
A knock at the door woke me from the catatonic state Mom and Bill seem to have put me in. "Zoë, answer it, honey, it's probably your grandparents."
Nice. Not only is she trying to act as if nothing happened between us, she invited her parents. Most likely it was their idea for her to fight for custody. With a sigh, I nod and get up to answer the door, plastering on a fake smile (if you can't beat 'em, join 'em, I guess).
The scowl on my grandma's face was not something I was expecting. Yeah, she may have been cross with me, but come on; I'm her only granddaughter. I didn't even know what to say to them, though.
"Good of you to grace us with your presence," Grandma sneered at me as she came into the house. "You and your Father can't even imagine the pain you put your Mother through."
I was about to respond when Grandpa spoke up. "Edna, don't be so angry, she's just a child."
Did I mention I love my Grandpa?
Grandma just huffed and walked away to see Mom. "I guess that could have gone better," I said with a wince.
"I'm just happy you're home safe, dear," he replied.
"What do you mean by that, Grandpa?" I asked. "I was safe. True, I didn't get there in the safest possible way, but that had nothing to do with Dad! I want to be with him, why can't Mom just accept that? If she want's joint custody, I know Dad will agree to it and so will I, but she can't keep us apart like she wants."
Grandpa wrapped his arms around me. "You've grown up in the short time you've been with your Father. I'll see what I can do to convince her, Zoë, but for now just be on your best behavior."
"Yes, Sir."
Later that night, after my grandparents left, I was lying on my bed and thinking of how comfortable S.A.R.A.H. would have made the temperature of the house and how Dad was most likely avoiding all the warnings of rest from the physician at the hospital.
I felt a tear on my cheek and a horrible feeling grew in the pit of my stomach. What if Dad didn't win even partial custody of me? What would I do then? Would I have to spend the next three years of my life with a Mother that doesn't seem to care about me anymore?
My cell phone rang, making me jump. I quickly answered it before my Mom realized this and ran in to take it away from me. "Hello?"
"Hey, sweetheart."
I smiled. "Hi, Dad! How are you feeling?"
"I was released this afternoon and I'm feeling much better."
"Good," I replied with a sigh of relief. "How long before you got into trouble again?"
"Now, Zoë, what makes you think I got into trouble?"
"Just a hunch. Did you catch that guy?"
"Yeah. Henry made some... thing that caused the... You know what, I have no idea what it did, the point is he can't hurt anyone."
I could tell there was sadness in his voice. "Dad, are you sure you're all right?"
"I just miss you, Zoe."
"The feelings mutual."
"I better let you go; you have school tomorrow, don't you?"
"Yeah. I love you, Dad."
"I love you too, sweetheart. Good night."
"Night."
I sighed as I turned off my phone and snuggled under the covers. For the first time in five years, I cried myself to sleep.