Tethered Hearts | ✓ | Books 1 & 2

Episode 43| Elephant in the Room

Well, that's debatable.

A doorknob down the hallway twisted and a tall blob of fabric skirted behind my mother, exiting out of her bedroom. I couldn't see who it was until his face came closer to the light.

"D-dad?" I stuttered, dumbfounded and struck by shock. "What are you doing here?"

He was in one of Rio's shirts and sweat pants, obviously staying the night without planning ahead and without notice. The messy case of bed hair he had told me he just got out of bed.

"Were you sleeping here?" I boomed. "Mom, what is going on? You said I'm the one keeping secrets, clearly I'm not the only one."

The tables were turned. Mom gnawed on the inside of her cheek. "We...talked for a bit after we came back from the hospital."

"It was a nice conversation." Dad gently set his hands on her shoulder, pulling her closer to him. I swore I could've fainted, then in that moment. "We came to an agreement that I'll be seeing the boys a little more - and hopefully you as well."

"No thanks." I rolled my eyes. "I'd like to excuse myself from any father-daughter activities."

"Sophia," my mother hissed. "He's your father."

"Yeah, and he's also the same person who left us for multiple years and also got Rio hurt." I reminded her, stabbing a look at the both of them. "I don't know if you recall the amount of hardships you had to go through after he left, but I do. He hasn't helped us one bit."

"Who do you think paid for your room and board? Or put the down payment on your housing at Lincoln University?" My mother crossed her arms. "It was him. He has been helping, I just knew you wouldn't take it if I said it was from your father."

Oxygen exited my body as that statement punched my gut, making reality hard to grasp. Had I heard her right?

"I...uh, can wait in the car." Bryce stammered, surely feeling out of place. "I can go-"

"You should leave." Dad interrupted. "This is a family matter."

"No, please stay," I plead, reaching out to him. "I want you here." I leered at my father. "Unlike some other people."

Dad coming to the rescue today was noble, and should count for something. But it didn't fully make up for the years of neglect he singed into my memory. All of those missed birthday parties and unattended graduations couldn't be ignored. Some things you can't go back and fix.

"You stood here and told me that I was the one that never lied to you." I held on to Bryce for stability, losing balance from my own rage. "You lied; for all I know, you've been lying for a long time about dad. I thought you said you saved up that money for my college."

"The important part is that I'm here now." Dad said. "And I'm willingly to make up for all the lost time."

"So, what does that mean? You're back together?" I snarled, but I was met with silence. "Mom? You saying nothing isn't an answer."

"We'll talk about this some other time." She rubbed her temple. "I'm getting a headache. It's late."

"Still isn't an answer." I whispered as she walked out of the room, accompanied by my father. They entered the same bedroom and shut the door behind them, answering one question.