FULL CIRCLE
Chapter 37
"S-sister?" Miles said in stunned surprise. Having just found out that his father had remarried was enough of a shock in itself. But to find out that he had a little sister was a another one. The girl
standing in front of him looked no more than two or three years old.
"Smiles," she said and tried to climb up on his lap.
"No, Kayla. His name is Miles not Smiles," Rachelle said patiently.
"Smiles,' the little girl insisted.
The woman looked over at Miles and said apologetically, "I'm afraid that when she sets her mind on what to call someone, she calls them that. I hope you don't mind."
"It's okay," Miles replied. "I've been called worse." he looked down at Mikayla and without thinking about it, picked her up.
Rachelle took a seat on the couch facing Miles and said, "I know this must be so confusing for you. I have no idea why your father never told you about us. But then your showing up was a little unexpected."
"I hadn't planned on suddenly being in San Francisco," Miles replied.
"John said that you're a doctor on the East Coast," Rachelle said, trying to make conversation.
"That's right. I ended up going to Medical school a few years early," Miles answered. "And please no "Doogie Howser" comments. I've already had enough of those to last me a lifetime."
"So may I ask what brings you to San Francisco?"
"My work. I got finished up yesterday," Miles answered. He settled Mikayla a little so he could reach into his jacket pocket for the pain meds he'd placed there in case his headache got to bothering him again. Opening the bottle, he quickly took two.
"Kayla will be three-years-old tomorrow. We're having a party in the evening. Is there any way you'd be able to come?" Rachelle asked.
"I really don't think so. I have a lot to do," Miles said. He wasn't sure he was ready to spend that much time with his father's new family. "In fact I'd better be going."
"I really wish you could stay at least until John gets home," Rachelle said. She picked up a picture and handed it to Miles. "Please take this so you'll remember Kayla.
Miles stuck it in his pocket without looking at it. "Just tell Dad I stopped by and I'll call him later."
The door opened and a voice called out, "Rachelle? Kayla?"
"Daddy!" the little girl exclaimed, climbing down and heading for the door.
"And how is my girl?" John McCabe asked, scooping her up. He looked at the young man sitting in the chair. "Miles?"
Miles had watched the scene a little wistfully trying to remember if
as a small child he'd felt the same way as his sister greeting their
father. "I'm just leaving."
"Miles," John McCabe said, taking a step toward his son.
"Well, you sure moved on since Mom died," Miles said coldly, his dark eyes clearly showing the anger he felt; anger at not being told, at his mother and himself being replaced by this stranger and little kid. "I'll just leave you alone with your 'new' family!" He sidestepped his father and yanked open the door.
AS the door closed behind him, Miles could faintly hear Rachelle asking, "How come you never told him about us?"