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Chapter Seventeen
After the cab dropped me off at my apartment, I realized two things. One: my suitcase was in Colby’s car with my apartment keys in the outside pocket, and two: I was absolutely starving. The thought of Judy and him possibly eating my Thai food made me angry all over again and so did the fact that I hadn’t thought to bring it with me.
As I looked at my phone, I fought the disappointment that I didn’t have a text or call from him. Then I chastised myself for expecting one. Hadn’t I told him I didn’t wish to talk to him tonight? This was the part of being a girl that really annoyed me because, despite telling him not to come over, there remained a part of me that hoped he would show up anyhow.
Was it any wonder men couldn’t figure out what women truly wanted? Of course, if he hadn’t acted stupid enough to put us in this situation to begin with, I wouldn’t be standing outside of my locked apartment door having this ridiculous internal dialogue with myself.
So I decided to do what any hangry female in her early twenties would do. I called the apartment management company, leaving a message to please call me back about letting me into my apartment, walked to the nearby convenience store, bought a bag full of Hostess products, and, upon returning, sat up against my front door to wait. I was fully aware that calling or texting Colby to drop off my keys would’ve been a much better solution to the problem. But pride was a stubborn bitch and, until she was fed, there was no use trying to talk her down.
Feeling my phone buzz, I was disappointed to see it was neither Colby nor the management company but my father. I hadn’t spoken to him in weeks, and since I clearly had time on my hands, I answered, “Hi, Dad.”
“Hi honey. Am I catching you at a bad time?”
The very worst, but he didn’t need to know that. “No, not at all. How are you?”
“Good. I was surprised I didn’t hear from you after your mother’s visit.”
I sighed. “I was kind of afraid you’d agreed with everything she said.”
“Your mother feels bad she had to resort to threats.”
I wasn’t sure I believed him. “Are you sure?”
“You were really injured in your accident, McKenzie, and it upset her that you kept it from us. And, unfortunately, you doing that convinced her further you should move home in order for her to keep tabs on you. Your mother isn’t easy to deal with when she gets her mind set, but she does love you.”
How many times had I been told that in my lifetime? “Then why is she insistent I move home when she knows how much I don’t want to? She made it sound like I owe it to her.”
He hesitated. “She’s having a hard time with change.”
“What change? I’ve been living out here for four years. I’m sorry for keeping the accident from both of you, but if she’d be more supportive, then I would’ve been more inclined to call. Instead, I thought she’d insist on me moving home straightaway.”
“She probably would have. Are you really set on staying out there?”
“Yes, definitely.”
He sighed. “Then I’ll pay for it.”
I was shocked. “You’d do that without Mom knowing?”
“She’d know.”
My brain processed his simple statement, and I could only come up with one thing. “Dad, are you and Mom all right?” For him to contradict her wishes made me wonder if they were splitting up.
“Aw honey, whatever happens is between me and your mother. You’re grown up now and don’t need to concern yourself. Anyhow, I need to go, but I’ll see you in a few weeks when you fly in for the baptism. In the meantime, work out how much you’ll need per month and let me know.”
Even though I knew I was doing the mature thing, my stomach flipped as I said, “I appreciate that, but it’s important I start supporting myself financially.”
“LA is expensive.”
“I know, and I’m not saying that at some point you won’t get a phone call from me asking for help, but I need to at least try.”
“Okay. I’m real proud of you for attempting this on your own, McKenzie.”
Not only did I appreciate his words, but I was satisfied about answering the way I had. I might not have a plan, but at least I was no longer traveling down the path of least resistance. “That means a lot.”
“When are you telling your mother?”
And, poof, bravery had left the building. “Probably when I come out the weekend of the baptism.”
