I'm in the middle of midterms, but I wanted to post this. Please review; I want to hear your feedback. Warning: this chapter is sad :(


Chapter 28 - Katie POV

"No."

"Yes."

"No!"

"Yes!"

"NO!"

"KATIE."

"ANDI."

"You have to!"

"No, I don't Andi! He should be the one calling me."

"Maybe you're right, but maybe he feels like you don't want him to. So make the first move."

"I don't want to!" I fought back.

We were arguing about this for what felt like hours. The last thing I wanted was to confront my dad. I just wasn't ready. Maybe it's because I would finally have to acknowledge that he wasn't perfect, that everything that happened between him and my mom wasn't just her fault.

Or maybe it's because I felt like this would just push him even further away from me. Either way, I was adamant on not having any contact with him.

"You're doing it," Andi demanded.

"No, I'm not!"

"Well fine. We'll sit here until you change your mind."

So, Andi and I sat ended up in silence for what felt like hours before she slowly moved the wireless telephone across the table to where I was sitting.

I sighed before I hesitantly picked it up, swallowing my pride and dialing the number.

It rang three times before I heard his voice. "Hello?" I didn't reply, my voice suddenly feeling like it disappeared. "Hello?"

Andi gave me a pointed look, noticing that I had yet to respond to him. I shut my eyes, feeling my nerves getting the better of me. But, I managed to say something.

"Dad?"

"Katie?" he asked tentatively, surprised.

"Yeah, it's Katie."

I could almost imagine how the shift in his facial expression looked.

"Katie, hey! I'm really glad you called. Are you okay?"

"I'm okay, I guess. I just, well, I wanted-"

"No, it's okay sweetheart. You don't have to apologize about what happened. You were upset, I know."

I knew he was trying to be understanding, but him saying that really irked me. "But you don't know Dad. That's just it; you've never known because I've never been able to tell you."

"Tell me what?" he asked, obviously confused.

"That I'm angry with you, Dad. This entire thing about you and Lisa and the kids-"

"You're right; it's my fault. I should've told you about them before, and I'm sorry."

"Yeah, and warned me, but it's so much more than that," I explained, cutting him off. "I mean, you found yourself this new family, which is great don't get me wrong, but it makes me feel like some outsider who doesn't even belong to you anymore. It's like you traded Mom and me in for something that you thought was better, and I wanna know why. Is it because you're ashamed of me? Are you embarrassed? Just tell me what I did wrong Dad, please!"

My cheeks were heating up, and the cracks in my voice were more prominent, which led to the tears cascading down my face uncontrollably. "Why did you leave, why did you have to go, and then tell me, that we were going to be closer?! That NEVER happened!" I sniffled, feeling loose snot threaten to fall out of my nostrils, trying to keep myself together.

"Katie, sweetheart-" he tried to say, but I kept going.

"And why is it that Paul visits his alcoholic dad every month, but you only visit me twice a year?!"

I could tell that the reason that he had yet to say anything is due to him not having a proper answer. He couldn't give me a reason for why he hasn't been there for me. I continued on despite it. "And you know, you seem so happy about being Paul and Kirsten's dad, but you never even took the time to be mine!"

"Katie I'm sorry. I'm so so sorry. I can't believe I didn't think about how that made you feel." he said merely above a whisper.

I shook my head, not accepting his answer. "I wish an apology was enough Dad, but it's not."

Without waiting for him to respond, I quickly hung up, wiping my tears away. Laying my feelings out there was exhausting, but also therapeutic. I feel a weight lifted off my shoulders as I could finally breathe easier.

This is the conversation I was desperately trying to avoid, but as soon as I got the courage to tell my dad how I was feeling, it's like my full stream of consciousness came out. I couldn't stop myself from telling him exactly how I was feeling and how hurt I was from the way he treated me. It felt like word vomit.

I turned around, seeing Andi behind me, her arms open. I embraced her, appreciating her being there for me through this difficult time. I was still hurting about my dad, but I grateful for my mom, and my three best friends, who helped me blossom into the person I am today, and knowing that gave me something to smile about.


It was just as hard to write as it was to watch Carmen (America Ferrera) make the call in the movie. Next is an even sadder chapter about Andi; have tissues ready :(

Oreo234: I'm so glad you've enjoyed this story so much. It's shortly coming to an end, and it's crazy this was 2 years in the making! Ty so much for your support! I loved finally standing up to Lily as well! :)

Lostbutnotyetfound13: It was the softest omg; ty for the review! :)