A/N: I usually don't upload two chapters at once because I find that people skip to the second chapter and miss the first. I thought that this time, I'd just tell you that this is the second new chapter. :)
Gillian, According to Emily
"He's so much happier when he's with you."
-Emily to Gillian, "Sacrifice"
You're not supposed to want your dad to have an affair with his business partner, right?
I used to. I'm glad they didn't, because I'm pretty sure that my life would have ended in a murder-suicide. Don't get me wrong—I think that they go together better than french fries and a milkshake, but something that I learned from them was that relationships are all about timing. And if you ask me, I think that right now, the timing is perfect. Does that sound messed up? It probably is. But the truth of that matter is that my dad and Gillian belong together. I mean, duh.
How is it that a teenager like me can figure this out when they've both got PhDs?
Anyone could see that they're meant for each other. I figured it out as a kid, back when they were both still married. They're two good people, and when they're around each other, they get better. He's a negative charge, and she's a positive one. It's high school physics. And it's obvious. You're supposed to want your dad to be happy, right? Isn't that what love is? Well, Gill makes my dad happy. He's a big bag of misery, so that means a lot. If he's found someone who saves him from himself, shouldn't he hold on to her?
I mean, it's like even when they fight, they're not really fighting. They can go through hell, but at the end of the day, they're still there for each other. It's adorable.
I know that my dad thinks that Gill is naïve. It's probably because she looks like the kind of person who will stay home and bake you cookies. The funny thing is that in my experience, she takes things a lot better than he does. It must be all of that psychiatry work she's done—she's probably had to deal with psychopaths and other people who are a lot more messed up than I am. It's nice to know that there's at least one adult out there who won't freak out over everything I do. It means that I can tell her everything. If my dad knew about the times I wake her up to call her about boys, or my friends, or my mom, he'd have a heart attack.
I started to trust Gill because I knew that my dad did. I don't even think he realizes how much he relies on her. He thinks that he can control everything, but she's really the only person that stops him from constantly freaking out. She has this way of just making him chill that I've never seen before. Of course, when you work with my dad, it's kind of a job requirement.
But, sometimes I look at those two and wonder why they're not together already. Then I remind myself that they're probably too afraid to do what it takes to be happy.
Still, neither of them can deny that Gillian is a big part of his life. She's even a big part of mine. Sometimes, I wonder what I'm supposed to call my relationship with her. I guess it's weird if your best friend is more than twice your age. Maybe I should tell people that she's my godmother. It's the best thing I can think of. Gill doesn't tell me what to do—she asks me what I want to do. She tries to help me figure out what I want so I know how to handle what I'm going through. I know it's all shrink stuff, but it really helps. I know that she cares about me. If it wasn't for her, I'd probably resent my parents and do all of that stereotypical rebelling us teenagers are supposed to do. I feel like Gillian has taught me how to act like an adult without being one. That's why I love her.
One of these days, Gill and my dad are going to have to get over whatever is keeping the french fries and the milk shake apart. I've tried different strategies to help them get there, but I've yet to find one that works. I think that they're both so hung up on their failed marriages that they don't see what's right in front of them. It's like their divorces have made them afraid to date anyone else. Or maybe they think that if they get get together, it will mess me up. I've tried telling them that it won't. I honestly don't think that there's anything I can do to help them move towards each other, no matter how much I want it to happen.
Of course, I think there is probably one person who can shock them into their senses. But then, she's even more messed up than I am when it comes to Dad. Still, I think if she supported it, and maybe even gave them grief about not getting together, that they'd get the push they need.
But, at the same time, there's always that risk that if my mother gets mixed into this, everything will explode.
THE END
A/N: UPDATE: I've gotten quite an avalanche of reviews lately--thank you so much! You've given me a lot of great ideas, and if you're willing to be patient with me, I'm going to try to get to all of them. The more you review, the longer this series will be, so let's see where this goes, shall we? :) You are awesome. Thanks again for your support!
