Disclaimer: violence, language, angst, and possibly hints of yaoi.
Chapter 6
family
I'm still scared. Afraid of failing
Anticipating, the ride to end
before the wheels begin to move
Gaz walked home alone around one o'clock. The streets were slick and it was still drizzling very lightly. She was glad Kim had gone home before the rain started. She was soaked entirely from the rain as she made her way up to the house. The light in the living room was on and she knew her father would be waiting up for her tonight.
Run away, so I can hide
Run away, I've mastered feeling nothing
Run away, I'm dead inside
Run away, why don't I care
She opened the door and found him reading some documents that she couldn't make heads or tails of. "What's up Dad?" She asked casually. "Daughter we really need to talk about something." No preamble, no beating around the bush, all business. That was professor Membrane for you. "I haven't heard you're brother talk about any of those insane creatures lately. Aliens, Bigfoot, the Loch Ness monster, any of it. I don't know if I should worry or ask him if he wants to start studying real science. What do you think Daughter?"
Waste my time, commiserating
Self medicating, it's my design
although I know you don't approve
Gaz looked at her father expressionlessly. He hadn't even asked her why she was out so late and why she was soaking wet. She didn't care anymore anyway. The only time she ever heard about her father caring was when her mom had been alive. "Go ahead and ask him but don't feel bad if he won't give up his passion. It'd be like asking me to give up video games." with that she tromped off to her room.
Run away, so I can hide
Run away, I've mastered feeling nothing
Run away, I'm dead inside
Run away, why don't I care
Professor Membrane watched his daughter walk away before he could answer or even ask her why she had been out in the rain. He sighed, running fingers through his hair. Why was it that every time he tried to bond with one of his children the other seemed to drift away even more?
The truth is that I'm not so good
At showing how I feel
Or keeping my mouth shut
when there's something to conceal
He stared at the documents in his hands. They were reports of a UFO sighting near Zim's house. The professor put no stock in them despite the only slightly blurred images of the purple voot runner. He'd brought them home for Dib but noticed his son was still not home. Finally the professor gathered up his courage and went upstairs to Gaz's room. "Gaz." She looked over from her bed, hiding her astonishment behind an apathetic gaze. She couldn't remember the last time he'd said her name, let alone with any hint of affection or worry.
Or knowing how to love
Love's not in my memories
How can I rise above
All my insecurities
He sat on the edge of her bed, stroking back her wet hair. "I wish I knew how to make things better. I know I'm not the perfect father and I can't help but notice that its affected you and your brother a lot in the way you've developed. I'm no good at fatherly speeches but I love you both very much." He hugged her and kissed her goodnight before he began to leave. "Dad." That one word was so tentative and meek and so full of concern.
Run away, so I can hide
Run away, I've mastered feeling nothing
Run away, I'm dead inside
Run away, why don't I care
"Read me a story?" the request was so strange but it made him smile. He nodded and quietly fetched the book of fairy tales his wife used to read to Dib and Gaz when they were little. "Which story would you like to hear Gaz?" She quickly flipped through the book and chose Hansel and Gretel. He couldn't help but smile. The story seemed so appropriate for their family. Quietly he bagan to read.
Run away, I fight the tide
the ebb and flow consuming
Still by my side
why should you care