Blinded Sight

§ fifty-six §

She sat in her bed,

trying to wrap her head around

what happened today.

Why only now

does her father come back?

Where was he

when Helen started drinking?

Where was he

when she abused her daughters

with atrocious words

and empty bottles?

Where was he

when she spent all

her sister's school money

on alcohol?

Did he even deserve to be called

her f a t h e r ?

There was a knock on her door,

followed by the voice

she used to run to

whenever she heard it.

[ Look who's running to who now. ]

"Faye, we need to talk,"

he said, walking into her room.

"I don't remember

letting you in, Henry,"

she spat out,

not even looking at him.

He sighed.

"Faye, please let me explain."

She didn't speak. He continued.

"I'm sorry.

I know I've been gone for long

and I haven't been keeping in touch,

but it's because...

I had to.

I couldn't stay around you

and your sister in the...

condition I was is before.

I could've hurt you."

She laughed humorlessly.

"That's bullshit."

He sighed again,

looking at the floor.

"I figured you wouldn't believe me."

She looked at him then.

There were bags

under his bloodshot eyes.

His jet black hair

which she had inherited,

now turning gray,

was a mess atop his head.

His shoulders slumped forward.

He was tired. Tired of everything.

"So..." he said, breaking the silence,

"your mother agreed

to go to therapy.

Starting tomorrow."

"Really?"

"Yeah."

She pondered on this for a moment.

Two moments.

Then something occured to her.

"Why do you still love her?"

she asked suddenly.

"I mean, she acts like... this...

and even before, you guys always fought.

Why still stay with her?"

A lovestruck smile appeared on his face.

"Because I believe

she's still the same sweet girl

I fell in love with way back when.

She helped me in so many ways.

If it weren't for her,

I wouldn't even be...

here.

Just like you, actually."

She looked at him disbelievingly.

He just nodded.

"And besides," --he wrapped an arm

around her; she didn't complain--

"she gave me you and your sister,

and that's more than I

could ever ask for."

He smiled and for once, she smiled back.

∞

dedicated to hadassah21blessie. congratulations on graduating!! :)

--y