Her Calling Blood Tied

Chapter 36 The old house

I awoke with a start as the van came to a stop. It was late evening but I could still make out the surroundings. How long had they been driving I did not know but I did know that this was definitely not home. I looked up as dad rounded the van and came to the passenger side. I smiled at him but he merely opened the door and waited for me to come out. I stepped out of the van and realized at once that this was not home. Not far from us was an old house that appeared to have long been abandoned on the side of it stood a big shed like structure that looked like a barn. Although they looked old it appeared as though someone had made small home fixes to keep them together. “Dad?” I asked. He looked at the house and spoke. “We’ll rest here for the night, it’s too far to go on,” He said. I nodded and then followed him as he led the way to the house.

            I walked in the house and realized that someone had to have been living there because there was around table and chairs and a large couch. There appeared to be a fireplace but it had long since deteriorated into something less elegant. There were two windows to the side of the room but both were locked and boarded up. Not far from the table was a screened door which I thought was probably the kitchen. There were steps leading to a second storey but they were in a state of disrepair with many steps actually having holes or were eaten away by termites. I sank on the couch and watched as dad fumbled with the screen door. I heard him pulling a few things and then I got up. I walked towards the screen door and then opened it; he was there before what appeared to be a sink. In his hands was a can of beans. I screwed up my nose and then looked at him. He turned when he heard the door open and stared at me. I smiled and came in. The room was small with a few crates shoved together to make a tabled and a lone chair at the side.

            “Can I help you?” I asked. He stared at me for a second before I saw the tiniest smile creep across his face. I walked towards him and took the can. “Don’t you have anything beside beans?” I asked. He walked towards a small cupboard which I had now noticed and opened it. I stared at the contents. There was a wide array of canned beans, soups and crackers. “Dad?” I asked, “How long have you been here?” He stepped back and looked at me blankly. I sighed and then took out two cans of Campbell’s tomato soup. I made him open them and then he produced an aged pot. I took it and looked around for the stove. Instead he took it and went back to the area where the couch was. I watched as he lit the fireplace and then put the pot over a grate like structure. He moved it around a bit and waited for it to bubble. I stared at him in wonder. I had so much to tell him so much to say but I was afraid of what he would do. He was my father, but he was changed. I watched as he took up the pot with piece of old ragged cloth and carried it back to the kitchen.

            I followed him and saw that he was about to pour the soup back in the cans. “No!” I cried. He stopped and I shook my head. “Its ok dad we’ll eat from the pot,” I said. He nodded his head once and then put the pot on the crates. He made me sit and I looked at him. “Aren’t you gonna eat?” I asked. He smiled wanly and then shook his head. “I’m not eating if you’re not,” I said. I could have sworn that he had sighed but when I looked up he was staring out the screened door. I waited but he did not budge so I took up the plastic spoon from the crate and took a sip of the soup. It was canned but it tasted so good. I recalled Erid’s mother’s soup and smiled. It was tasty. I tried to talk to dad that evening but eveytime I tried it was like I felt to break down.

            I stared at him and then spoke up. “Dad please tell me something,” I begged. He was silent. I sighed and then put down my spoon. “Why did you fake the funeral dad, why didn’t you tell me about the find?” I asked. He was still silent. I could not take it my eyes welled up and a tear spilled. “Please,” I begged, “You told me you were changed you were not the same.” I said. He looked up and for one moment I saw sadness in his eyes. “Caith,” He said. “Dad?” I asked. “I’m not the same Caith, I did things that I...can’t!” He screamed and got up. His eyes darted about and then he spoke. “No master, no I will obey I will master!” He cried. Sank down on my arm and just cried. This was just too much. When he became silent I looked up and he was gone. I pushed away the soup and got up. I walked towards the screen door and out the other side. I sighed and then plopped down on the couch. I thought about dad and all the memories we had had together and then I recalled his outburst. I could not help it I cried.