Strings Attached

Chapter Twenty-Two

Dad lowered his face. "We are moving to Canada," he said.

"What?" I asked, surprised. I was not expecting that at all.

Dad sighed. "Sophia has family there... We talked about it, and it'd be a better place for Carlos to grow in."

"You can't be serious," I said, scowling.

"I am," he said.

"But..." Brianna's eyes were starting to fill with tears. "We won't see each other anymore..."

"Of course we will, sweetie," said Dad, patting her gently on the back.

I frowned. "You just want to escape us," I said bitterly. "You want to get away from us so that you won't be reminded of the mistakes you have made! You just want to escape your problems, like you always do!"

"That's not true!" he exclaimed, crossing his arms over his chest.

"It is!" I exclaimed as tears filled my eyes.

"Is that true, Dad?" asked Brianna as tears streamed down her face.

"No, of course not!"

"Don't lie to her!" I exclaimed, frowning. "You've always been a coward who is afraid to face his problems!"

Dad scowled and slapped me. I did not even feel the pain because I was too angry to feel anything. I just rubbed my cheek and glared at him. I was not going to take back my words. I meant it when I said he had always been a coward.

Brianna gasped. "You are bleeding!" she exclaimed.

Dad's expression softened. "Tina... I didn't mean to..."

I shook my head and chuckled humorlessly. "You know what's funny? It doesn't even hurt anymore."

"Tina..."

"Just save it." I stood up and shook my head once more. "I used to feel sad because you left us, but now the only thing I feel now is pity. It's really a shame that you're never strong enough to face your mistakes. I hope I don't grow up to be like you."

Brianna turned to see me with tears on her cheeks. "Tina?" she asked innocently.

I sighed and turned to see Dad. "I want to leave. Would you please take me home?"

He looked hurt. "Why don't you wait till morning?"

"No," I said. "I want to leave right now. Are you going to take me, or do I have to call Mom and ask her to pick me up?"

Dad pursed his lips. "I'll take you." He turned to see Brianna. "Would you please look after the baby while I take your sister home?"

Brianna shook her head. "I want to go, too."

Dad sighed. "Let's go, then."

He never said that he had changed his mind. He did not say that he was going to stay just so that he could fix everything he had done. He did not even apologize for having hit me on the face, but now I did not really care. The only thing I knew was that he was not a part of my life anymore, and that he had not been ever since he had forgotten to call.

I finally understood that I had no reason to suffer because I had Mom and Brianna, and I had Henry and Louise, and most importantly, I had Teddy, and I knew Teddy would not disappoint me like that ever.

***

As soon as we arrived home, Mom asked us how everything had gone, and she asked us why we had not waited until the next day to come back.

I told her that I was very sleepy, and I did not want to talk about it. I promised her that I would tell her everything the next day, but that I was too tired to talk about it right now. Mom simply nodded and allowed me to go upstairs without giving any explanation. She was probably going to question Brianna.

I knocked on my room's door, and no one responded, so I opened the door slowly and noticed no one was inside. I walked in and made my way to my closet. I opened it and sat down on its floor, closing the doors.

I hugged my legs and allowed the tears to fall down. I did not want for anyone to see me crying. I just wanted to let my pain out.

It was true that I pitied Dad, but a tiny part of me wished that things could go back to the way they were.

I heard the doors opening, revealing Teddy. I turned to see him, and he did not say anything. He simply sat down next to me and closed the closet's door.

"He's a jerk," I simply said, sobbing.

"What did he do this time?" he asked.

"He's moving to Canada," I said, rolling my eyes. "I knew I should've not gone! I knew he didn't deserve a second chance! People like him never change!"

"I understand," he said, wrapping his arms around me and kissing my forehead gently. "My dad's also an asshole."

I sighed. "I just don't get it..." I leaned my head on his shoulder. "I thought he wanted to make things right."

"Maybe he thought that by telling you he was making things right," Teddy pointed out.

I sighed. "He's an idiot," I said.

"He doesn't deserve to have two daughters as amazing as you and Bri," he said.

I smiled a little at that. "You always make me feel better."

Teddy sighed. "I hate him," he said. "I hate him for making you cry."

"Don't worry," I said. "I'll be fine."

Teddy shook his head and turned to see me. "I just don't get how anyone could not appreciate someone like you. I mean, you deserve everyone's appreciation!"

I smiled sadly. "I guess not everyone thinks that way."

Teddy squeezed my hand. "You're wonderful, Chris. I just want you to know that. I want you to understand that you are beautiful and smart and kind, and I'm crazy about you..."

"Teddy," I muttered. "Please don't. I don't want you to give me false hopes."

He sighed. "I'm sorry," he said. "I just want you to know that any guy would be lucky to have you."

"Thank you," I said. "I think any girl would be lucky to have you, too."

Teddy smiled, but then his smile disappeared. He got up and turned the light, and as soon as he spotted my swollen cheek he frowned.

"Did he do that?" he asked angrily.

I lowered my face. "I was hoping you wouldn't notice," I mumbled.

Teddy's scowl deepened. "That son of a bitch."

I closed my eyes. "I don't want to talk about it, okay?"

He ran his hand through my cheek, and I flinched. "That son of a bitch," he muttered once again. "I'm telling your mom."

"No!" I exclaimed as I grabbed his hand and squeezed it. "Please don't. I don't feel like discussing this with her. Not now, at least. I promise I will tell her tomorrow, okay? Right now..." I stared at him firmly. "Right now I just want to be with you."

He shook his head. "If you don't tell her tomorrow, then I will."

"I know," I said.

He sighed and caressed my cheek gently. "Does it hurt?"

I shook my head. "It doesn't when I'm with you."

Teddy smiled a little and kissed my cheek softly.

"You're one brave girl," he said.

"I learned from the best."