Life Lines

24: Learning How To Walk

Chapter Twenty-Four

"I'm home."

The front door closed with a click and my father walked into the living room.

"Hey there, Mr. Abe."

My father glanced at Schylar and back down at his phone. "Schy. Still holding down the fort, I see."

"You know it."

He nodded, hit a button on his phone, and looked up at me. "Natalie, I believe another one of your friends pulled in behind me. Are you expecting anyone?"

"I never expect them, Dad. They just kinda show up."

I was really hoping it was Allie. The Triplets had dropped by on Thursday evening bringing a range of gifts from a spa gift certificate to a scented candle. Oppie said it was for relaxation but Schylar had this sly smile on his face that told me it was because of something else. He was horrible. If he thought I smelled that's all he had to say but no. He had to be a complete asshat instead.

The doorbell rang but no one really moved to get it. The expression on my father's face was comical as he leaned around the living room wall to look at the door.

"I do not believe I know this young man."

Well there was my first clue. Schylar got up from his seat next to me. "That's probably Union. He said he was dropping off some more homework."

"Oh."

I hadn't talked to Union since the very strange date we had. The fact that he was here, now, was a little unnerving, not to mention I didn't know why.

Instead of answering the door like my father normally would, he left it to Schylar and came over to sit next to me. He still looked a little worried as he turned my arm over and took a look at the temperature sticker on my wrist.

"How's it been today?"

"The same."

Schylar decided that nothing interesting happened on Fridays so he stayed home with me all day. I was getting really tired of his company. There was only so much of him I can take and well, I'd reached that this morning. However, it freed up my dad so he could go to work. I thought I wouldn't see him until he got off but he came home for lunch which was only a few hours ago. He said it was just to make sure everything was ok. I said it was him being a worry wart. I love my father, I really did, but his hovering was starting to grate on my nerves. Fortunately, I had my mother's infinite amount of patience so I dealt with it. Same as Schylar's hovering tactics. He was worse than the helicopters I saw on the Call of Duty game which he'd made me watch him play most of the day. Nothing like watching middle easterners die to get me in good spirits. Not. What was it with guys wanting to shot and kill things in their video games? I asked him that, to see if I could get on his nerves, and he told me I was more than welcome to play Kingdom of Hearts if I didn't like it.

Funny man.

"What would you like for dinner?"

"I'm not really hungry, Dad." I hadn't eaten much since Chris brought me a doughnut. I tried but I just couldn't muster up enough of an appetite. I was just thirsty.

"How about some tomato soup? Or some of Mrs. Washington's gumbo?

"Dad..."

"The gumbo might be a tad on the spicy side for you right now. Let's go with the tomato soup."

"But..."

"Dr. Wilson said you had to eat, even if it was just a little."

I sighed, knowing whole heartedly he wouldn't give up until I agreed. His parenting strategy was completely transparent, unlike my mother's which had as much transparency as stone. I knew I wouldn't eat much of it but I had to humor him.