Untangling Strings

Chapter Twenty-Two

It's exactly six fifty-five on the clock, "Mom, are you alright being alone for five minutes?"

"As if I'm going to have an attack or something."

I kissed her forehead. "I'll be back before you know it."

She grabbed my hand, "You're clearly doing a smooth job on avoiding Gab. Once I get out of here, you and I.." she pointed her finger at me and back to her, "will talk."

"I saw that coming." I smiled at her and left.

Dad and I met at the cafeteria, but it was just our meeting place. We drove out of the hospital and ended up at a steakhouse. Once the door opened, I got a whiff of the most amazing smell my nostrils have ever met. If I could just marry steak, I would gladly spend the rest of my life with it.

"You still have a crush on steak?" Dad was looking at me as if I'm still that seven-year old daughter of his who proudly says 'I like steak more than anything and anyone in the whole wide world' and then a blush on the cheek followed. Well, what can I say, it really makes my heart leap.

"No, dad. I am in love." I have no idea why, but when I dropped the word love, a certain someone flashed into my mind. "With steak," I added.

"Want to have some wine?" Dad asked me as we looked through the menu.

"Yeah, if I'm not spending the whole night with mom. Maybe we can have some when I get back home?"

"And when is that?"

"Tomorrow."

I was waiting for a response.

Waiting.

Waiting.

Okay, I'm done waiting, I looked at dad and he was staring at me with those teary eyes. "Oh, c'mmon, dad."

"I'm sorry. I was just longing to hear that from you although your mom said we shouldn't expect you to come home anytime soon."

"But–"

"Oh, yeah. Here we go again with your conditions." The teary eyes were gone and he playfully rolled his eyes. We could be called the Rolling Eyes Family. Gab may not seem to do so, but he does... just once in a blue moon, and could be more if I managed to get under the deepest layer of his skin. That guy couldn't easily be moved, and he said that's an art he mastered a long time ago.

Now, speaking of the unmovable, "I want Gab's schedule so that I know when to make my move."

"Could you enlighten me on what evil trick runs in your mind?"

I sighed, "Dad. If he's in the house, I'm locked in my room. If he's out, I'm also out."

"I never saw you two playing this game."

"Now you have the privilege to see for yourself." He's studying me, looking for a hint of a joke maybe. "And tell him to stick his nose on his own damn schedule. I am the one adjusting here."

"I want you to know where exactly I'm at. Between my oh-so-good son who has a habit of shifting, in just a snap, to a terrible ass without a warning, and a sweet yet unpredictable and deadly difficult and stubborn daughter. Oh, what else can I do? Absolutely none. I rest my case," he raised his hands in surrender.

"I'm sorry, dad. Really. You and mom are stuck being our parents." I really feel bad for both of them. But they've handled us well since our first cry on earth.

"No. We've had our moments as a family. Your mom and I wouldn't change a thing."

I nodded, "And dad, I want the schedule black and white."

"You're unbelievable... unbelievably good at negotiating. And being my daughter puts you at an advantage." He let out a sigh, "Plus, I'll do everything to get you home. I can't put my life at risk in the hands of your mom, and a lot more other things to be labeled as reasons. So, yeah, you got yourself a deal, kid." He rubbed his temples because that's the only thing he does when his brain cannot figure out what to do anymore with his children.

He looked at me, a wide smile plastered on my face. Dad couldn't help it and he chuckled, and shook his head. "You're still the difficult you."

"Always and forever will be," I mimicked a bow.

Our order arrived, and I was engulfed by the scent of the steak. I cut a piece and damn... it was in-fucking-credibly delicious. Heaven in my mouth it is. The side dish goes well with it and all flavors were dancing in my tongue. If tonight I'll die of gluttony, I'll die a happy woman. I hope my family puts a picture of steak on my tombstone.

After being a steak monster, dad called out for our bill. "You enjoyed tonight?"

"Dad, this is... The. Best. Meal. Ever."

He grabbed his phone, "Gab texted me. He's leaving and asking if we're heading back anytime soon. C'mmon."

Right back at the hospital, mom's watching TV and it's pretty obvious that boredom is what's screaming in every cell of her. Who puts on a cooking show with a tedious host for someone who maneuvers her way in the kitchen? The boring son, of course. He could've even left the remote beside mom. Idiot.

Mom's lips drew a smile when she saw us, "You two have a good night?"

Dad got close to her and kissed her on top of her head, "Yeah. Your daughter nearly devoured the plate."

"You got steak, sweetie?" She extended her arms reaching for me. I nodded and got into her arms for a hug.

"Shall we get you ready for bed, mom?"

I was quite impressed with myself on how I could be of effective help even though it's just assisting mom to clean herself up. When all was done, dad decided to head home. But even before he could step out of mom's room, he keeps on saying to call him if anything happens for exactly nine times. Yes, I kept track. And on his attempt for the tenth time, my annoyed mom shut him up even before he could say a word which left him no choice but to turn his heels and go home.

It looks like it's going to be a long night but I let myself enjoy it by just lying beside my mom and staring at her while sleeping. I noticed the lines which were not there when I left years ago. Then I felt a vibration on my butt which made me jolt. Good thing mom is in deep sleep. I nearly forgot I have a phone in my back pocket.

P: Going back here tonight?

H: Nope. Will be spending the night at the hospital.

P: Is your mom okay?

H: Yes. She'll be discharged tomorrow. I'll be at Alcott's in the morning. Can we talk by then?

P: Sure. Get some rest. Good night.

I snuggled next to mom like a toddler, my muscles relaxed at the coziness, and I let myself drift into sleep.