I laid in bed for the next few days, refusing to get up for anything accept to use the bathroom. I assumed that Haley begged Jake to leave me alone for a few days because I hadn't heard from him since the night he found out. Every morning I would wake up with the tears I cried myself to sleep with on my cheek. I didn't bother wiping them away, ever, because I knew more would just appear. I didn't eat, as many meals as they put on my table I never ate a bite.

This morning was different; I woke up to the sound of the doorbell. And within seconds there was a light tap at the door. I just laid there, hoping that the person would leave. Instead I watched the doorknob turn and saw Jake step quietly into the room. I quickly closed my eyes hoping that he would think that I was asleep; he sat at my desk and stared at me. His stare just drilled a hole into me. "Take a picture, and stop staring at me," I said to him. They were the first words that I spoke in days. He sighed heavily.

"We should talk."

"If you haven't noticed I'm sleeping and don't want to talk to you."

"Jenny…"

"No don't Jenny me, you shouldn't even be here."

"Stop interrupting me and lets talk." He said through gritted teeth. "I want to talk to you."

"What about what I want? Do you care what I want?"

"Of course I care what you want, Jenny, I love you. But talking will be good for both of us."

"Fine, dad, lets talk about my 10th birthday, when my mother forgot about me because her boyfriend wanted to take her and my sister to the zoo. I was left at home, because he didn't want a 10yr old daughter, he wanted a younger daughter like Beth. So I was left home alone, you wanna talk about that?" I paused long enough to see tears fall down his cheek and for him to open his mouth, but I cut him off. "Oh what about the millions of times that I sat in my classroom waiting for one of my parents to show up and have a conference with my teacher. I have a ton more stories to tell you, but you know I just really don't want to talk anymore. I'm all talked out. Stop by tomorrow." I rolled over and felt the tears falling down my face.

"Jenny, I hurt all of these years also. I missed you so much, and looked desperately for you. Just because you are angry I'm not letting you go, I'm not losing you ever again." I could hear him stand and take a few steps towards me. He set down something heavy on my bed, next to my legs. "If you can't believe my words, then believe my actions. This book will show you how much I've missed you over the years." I heard the door close. I let the tears fall, and couldn't believe that I had stayed strong through that whole meeting. I rolled over and saw that the book he laid on my bed was a photo album, which I kicked off of the bed. I didn't want to see how great his life had been without me, I refused to accept it.

That was when I knew. I knew that I wanted to be a person who could be strong, for me and my sister. I knew my life wasn't over, that I would be able to survive this, and I knew that I needed to accept that Jake was my father. I couldn't live a life where I cried in my room all day, everyday. My life had to change, and I was starting today. I stood and went to my shower, and when I heard the shower, I realized that I needed strength for my sister. I had five other brothers and sisters that I had to get to know. My father may have left me, but these children didn't leave me. I needed to be a sister to them. I took a deep breath, knowing that it was going to be hard, but also breathing in relief, because a sense of comfort overcame me.

After getting dressed, putting on make-up, I walked downstairs. Downstairs to see Haley setting the table, for three people. She didn't know that I was going to come down, so I put a big smile on my face and walked through the door. She glanced up and dropped the glass she was holding.

"Jenny, I'm surprised to see you in high spirits. After Jake left…"

"Yeah, I have a new outlook on life, and it starts today." I picked up the glass and handed it to her.

"Well that's wonderful. Let me set another place for you. Nathan is out playing ball, you should join them." She said casually. I nodded and walked out the back door to find Nathan playing basketball with Lucas, Elizabeth and Keith. They all looked up, and all seemed shocked to see me. Elizabeth ran towards me and jumped into my arms. "Jen Jen, I missed you."

I kissed the top of her head, and hugged her back. "I missed you too Beth." I smiled up at the boys and grabbed the ball from Nathan's hands. "Can I school ya'll now?" I asked throwing the ball through the hoop. They laughed and we all started to play. No questions were asked, and it was good. When I was shooting the game winning point everyone stopped playing, they all looked behind me. I shot the ball, and it easily found its way through the net. "Yes, Nathan we win." I said happily, until I realized that none of them were paying attention. They were all staring at the end of the driveway at Jake. He stood watching me play happily. Didn't make any effort to come to me, didn't try to talk to me, just watched. When he caught my eye, he turned and walked away. Back towards his house. Lucas ran towards him, Keith looked back and forth between Nathan and me, and walked towards his own home. I stood there with Nathan; he just looked at me sadly.

"Jenny, I know it hurts but…"

"Nathan stop. I'm going to give him a chance. Not a chance to make up for leaving me but a chance for the future, it's the least I can do for Beth and my other brothers and sisters." He wrapped his arms around me and said ok. He and I went inside to eat dinner.