Alone

Addison stepped hesitantly towards the unfamiliar kitchen, her father close behind her. The accident was five years ago but it stood out vividly in her mind, had it truly been five years? She could hear the crunching of the sky blue minivan. She could hear the screams of onlookers as they saw the blood splattered windshield and the unconscious body of her mother. In that moment, she had froze. Her mind would not let her process what her eyes told her they saw.

"Hello, Peter," a woman said as she turned to greet them, breaking Addison free from her memory, "and you must be Addison, I have been waiting to meet you." The woman was her dad's new fiancé.

Addison knew she needed to answer, nothing that had happened was this woman's fault, but familiar tears threatened to well up in her eyes. She looked down at the floor, "hello," was all she managed to say. The world around her started to collapse in on itself and the air became rancid, causing her lungs to reject the breaths she was trying to take. Before Addison could be consumed by the panic rising inside her, she felt a soft, cool nudge against her hand. Her white German Shepherd, Heimdall, started licking her hand, grounding her to reality. Addison looked down at him and managed a faint smile. She remembered what her dad had said on the car ride here. No one expects you to be more than you are, Addison, we just want you there. He truly wanted nothing more than for Addison to be there. Her mom's death had hit them both hard, and she knew Zoey had been a blessing for her dad. Her father talked about her a lot, which Addison found didn't bother her like people seemed to think it should. Her therapist always wanted her to share her feelings about her dad dating, and then having a long-term girlfriend, and finally getting engaged. Such loathsome conversations. Her dad always talked to Addison about everything, about missing Mom, about work, about Zoey. No, Zoey was not the problem.

Zoey smiled sympathetically, "why don't you go to the living room while I finish getting dinner ready? I have Luna locked in my room right now, is it okay if I let her out?" Addison nodded as she sat on the couch. Zoey disappeared down a hallway.

"Are you okay?" her dad asked, knowing all too well how much she was struggling.

"Yes, I am. I'm sorry this is so difficult for me," Addison said, looking down at Heimdall as she spoke, "I know how much she means to you."

"Addison, don't be ridiculous. You are doing just fine. All I want is for you to meet her, it is up to you if you are comfortable with any more than that."

Addison and Peter turned their heads as they heard a bark, seeing Zoey's Border Collie running towards them. She spotted Heimdall and went right to him, the two began to sniff each other and romp around the living room. Addison laughed as the two dogs began to find some of Luna's toys.

"Can I help you finish up dinner, Zoey?" Peter asked.

"That would be wonderful! I seem to have mistimed things just a little bit." The two made their way to the kitchen to finish dinner, leaving Addison with the two dogs who were happily chomping on the same bone. "Am I doing okay? I'm so nervous," Zoey whispered to Peter.

"Darling, you're doing splendidly. Don't stress too much over dinner, it will be wonderful I'm sure. You are a fantastic cook!"

"Peter, you know that's not what I'm really worried about. Although I do hope dinner will be good..."

"You and Addison will be fine. Just be patient. I promise. She just needs time."

"I know. Will you mix the salad up and add the dressing? We can start on that while the roast finishes. I also have some wine chilling in the fridge. Should I get three glasses out?" Zoey opened a cupboard as she spoke and pulled three glasses out.