The Tattooed Devil Wears Chucks

Chapter 55: Helping Hands

This isn't happening. Where has he been this whole time?  He is here and didn't even want me to know?  He looked scared. My dad has to have known... 

I cross the street quickly and walk up my porch.  The rest of the wedding boxes are still sitting there, waiting to be carried over.  Laughter comes from the open windows of my house, so everyone must be awake; that will make this more difficult.  Another deep breath, and then another, and another...  I find myself holding the doorknob unable to walk in.  Zo's giggle escapes the window and I freeze.  Sue's plea echoes through my head "He doesn't know..."  She was talking about Zo.  He doesn't know he has a daughter.  Suddenly I feel as though I'm sinking.  That little girl was destroyed when I explained that her dad was dead.  How do I tell her he's actually alive?  I don't even know what to tell myself!

"What are you doing?"

I peer up to Felix who is giving me the oddest look.  Yeah, I look crazy right now, I think I am.  He has the front door open with the storm-door still closed.  "I couldn't remember if I had my keys... you know I'm terrible with that..."

"Um, it's unlocked.  And even if it wasn't... there's like ten people in this house that could have answered if you had knocked."

Great start Gabby.

"I'm tired Felix, okay?  Get off my case." I open the door and walk past him into the kitchen.  My mom is hovered over the stove, the smell of bacon fills the air.  Morgan is sitting beside Cole with Emmett on her lap, Kane is sitting with my dad with Zo on his. 

"Are you done already?" My mom turns down the heat and looks to me.

"Uh, no.  We haven't actually started yet."

She sighs and returns to her cooking.  I swear her only interest is getting this damn wedding complete.  Whatever, at this point she can do it all. The last thoughts on my damn mind right now are on my wedding. My dad's eyes are fixated on his morning paper.  I feel like everyone else is watching me.  This is not going well.

"Gabs, you okay?  You look upset."  Kane wears his worry across his face and this causes my dad to finally look up.

"It was really hard going over there. Every room is still the same and it was just a lot to take in. Larry is having a really rough day so I don't think that they are going to have Zo come over today.  We are still going to do wedding stuff though.  Um, dad they are talking about doing that treatment to the limestone of their basement so that they can drywall.  Think you could talk to Larry today or take a look at it?"

His eyes roll.  "I think that's the least of our worries today Gabs."

"Please!" It comes out more hectic than I had intended.  "Please." I repeat.  "I need someone over there with me.  I can't stomach seeing Larry like this.  Seven years, you know?  You really helped them through that.  Help me get his mind off of it today.  You can help me carry all my wedding shit over too."

"I can go over with you Gabby..." Kane begins to stand and sets Zo down to the floor.

I need to stop him.  Shit. Shit, shit, shit!  "Actually!  I was thinking you could take Zo around town and show her where we grew up.  Take her to the park?  The school too, maybe mom could go with and do a tour. Show her the dam, maybe take her to get pizza and popcorn at Kane's if Tyler isn't working..."

"Okay" he pecks my cheek.  "I can do that."

I give him a nod and turn back to my dad.  "Please? It shouldn't take long, dad. My anxiety is meeting its max over there and I need this to go well."