AllFreeNovel
Share Us
It’s been hard not talking to Sebastian much these last two weeks, but when I do hear from him, it sets butterflies off in my stomach. He’s made sure to reach out if he hasn’t heard from me in a while.
“Yeah, yeah. I’m coming.” Harley comes into the room with his arms full of packets of sweets and a big bowl of popcorn. Olive is asleep in my bedroom.
“Has it started yet?” Mabel and Sybil come in and take a seat beside me.
“Not yet. I’m so nervous for him. I can’t even imagine how he’s feeling.” I pull out my phone and send him a quick text, knowing he probably won’t get it until after the race.
Delilah:Good Luck. I’m so happy for you to be doing what you love again. You’ve got this. Thinking of you xx
“Do you mind if I join?”
All heads turn toward Dad standing in the doorway at the hallway entrance. He still hasn’t spoken to me about Eli or my health since that night, but we have been nicer to each other.
“Hey, girls, can you help me get some more snacks? I don’t think I’ve gotten enough,” Harley not so subtly suggests, glaring at my sisters. All of them have been doing this lately, somewhat forcing Dad and me to talk. They all scurry off as Dad comes and sits in his usual worn brown recliner.
“How much longer do you think they’re going to do this?” he mutters as he settles back into his seat.
“Until it stops feeling as though they’re walking on eggshells when we’re in the same room.” I pause and stare at him, take a break, and continue, “I’m still not sure where I stand with you. I forgive you for how you spoke to me that night. I just wish you had come to me instead of blurting it out in front of the whole family.”
“Well, I guess now is the time for that talk. I was hoping it would be forgotten.”
“You can’t be serious, Dad. You were pretty nasty toward me.”
He hangs his head, and my stomach knots. I hate making my dad feel bad, but he needs to know how he made me feel. “I know, and for that, I’m very sorry. I’ve never been good with feelings and emotions. Your mother was the one who I always relied on for advice.”
“I know that. Dad, why didn’t you just pick up the phone after I left? We could’ve spoken about everything then. You hurt me so much, and I want to forgive you for all of it, but how can I when we don’t talk?” I grip my hands in my lap and turn to face him.
He stares ahead. “I didn’t want to lose you. I’d already felt so alone since your mother died, and the thought of losing one of my children? The fear took over, and I didn’t handle it very well. And Eli…” he sighs, rubbing his eyes, “. . . I knew he wasn’t right, but I couldn’t stop him or you. Once you made your mind up on something, that was it. You’re every bit like your mother in that way.”
“Do you think we can move forward from all of this stuff?” I ask. “No more snaps. No more judging and no more trying to run things in my life. If I make mistakes, I make them. It’s nothing on you.”
“Delilah, I know that. I think I can manage all of that. Your mistakes are your own. No more judgment.”
I get up from my spot on the three-seater couch and go to him. Leaning over, I hug him, a lump forming in my throat. “I love you, Dad. Even if you’re a stubborn man.”
“I love you too, Delilah. I care for you, which is why I sometimes do stupid things. Thank you for forgiving me, and I’m glad you came home. I love having everyone here, but I know the time will come when everyone goes their own way. I guess as a father, the thought of not having anyone scares me.”
My heart skips a beat at Dad’s admission. “It’s okay, Dad. I guess I’ll find out myself what that fear is like in the coming years.” I release him and go back to my seat.
“The girls told me everything. I’m sure you would’ve told me yourself when we had this talk, but they didn’t want you rehashing it again. I’m sorry I wasn’t there for you to turn to. I’m glad Isla told a white lie to get you home. I’ll have to send her flowers.”
We laugh. “I’m sure she’d love that. Thanks, Dad. Things can only improve now, can’t they?”
“That’s right. Now we just have to get through Sebastian’s race, and I’m nervous.” He runs his hand through his hair and releases a breath.
“You and me both. He’s a good guy, Dad.”
“I know he is. I can see how he is with his girls and even the way he treated you and looked after you when you were upset. He cares for you, as do we all.”
“Thanks, Dad.”
“Is it safe to come out now?” Harley calls from the kitchen. “We don’t want to miss the race.”
“Yes,” Dad and I both say in unison.
“Hey, Harley, have you heard anything from that girl from next door since we helped her?” I ask.
“No, something’s not right there. No matter how much I offered to help, she wasn’t very nice. I popped over yesterday, and Dotty told me she didn’t want me to come around to see the girl anymore. She was nasty for an elderly lady.”
