Zanobia
I couldn't believe that my dad was standing in front of me. I have dreamed about this day, and it's finally here. I didn't even care that I dropped the glass, or the fact that the tiny shards had cut my foot. I stood still, and looked at Kidd for reassurance.
It felt like someone was playing a trick on me.. after five years I get to see him. My lip trembled as I walked over to him, he looked good. He smiled at me and cried once I pulled him into a tight hug.
"Nobia?"
"Yes, dad it's me. Your back with me and I'm never letting you go!"
I pulled away from the hug and checked over him, running my fingers through his curly hair. "What's going on with your hair?"
He looked down shyly and grinned.. I missed him so much. I picked his head up and kissed his cheek. It's crazy to say but my dad is kind of like my child. He's so delicate, and sweet it's impossible not to love him.
"I missed you.. Nobia, where.." He looked up and placed his hand on his chin, trying to find the words. "Where.. were you?"
"I was.. looking for you"
"They treat, you good?"
"Yes"
I looked away briefly and then back at him. I can't tell him about all the things I went through. When he reads the notebooks he'll find out himself. I took him in the living room and sat down on the couch, he came close to me and snuggled under me.
"I'm gonna head out.."
"I know, you probably had him the entire time, but I'm not upset. I'm actually glad someone cared enough to help him.. thank you Kidd"
He smiled, "your welcome.. I have a surprise for you. Its not quite ready yet, so give me a little more time. I'm sure you'll love it though. Good night"
I waved goodbye and looked down at my dad who had fallen asleep. My big baby, I held him tight.. it felt like if I let go someone would come snatch him from me. I can't let anyone take him from me again, I can't let them hurt him anymore. He doesn't deserve what has been done to him.
If I could take away the pain he's felt and carry his problems for him I would. Even though I have my own issues, I'd still break my back to carry the stress before I let him carry it. I want to be better than my mom, she gave up the moment it got tough.
I still despise her for that, she promised him that she would never leave. He needed her and she punked out because it got too hard. I didn't run when times got rough, I was eleven taking care of my dad by myself.
Homeless, leading the way and taking most of the backlash for my dad. I hate the people who hurt and made him this way. There's no reason he should have to put his head down, or move in silence in his own home.
I noticed a scar on his face, one that wasn't there the last time I seen him. It made me wonder what he's been through.. maybe he wonders just what I've been through.
I got up once I heard Eliza crying, immediately June bug woke up shaking.. he looked afraid and that pained me.
"June bug, it's me.. calm down"
He looked around almost like he was panicking.. "Salaam.." he put his head down and started to cry. Each time I tried to reach out to touch him, he'd flinch and jump.
"Waa i kan, aad Nobia"
I tried speaking in our native language, telling him it was only me. I watched as he slowly lifted his head and reached out to touch my hand.
"Waxay, wax i yeelo"
I grabbed his hand lightly and told him to wait one minute. I had to grab Eliza first.. he told me they hurt him, but who? I made my way into the back and picked Eliza up. She sucking on her fingers, something she does when she's hungry.
I went back into the room and handed to her to my dad. He smiled and kept saying baby, I quickly made her bottle and handed to him so he could feed her. It's like my life is complete now, I have my baby and my dad.. I couldn't be happier.
I wiped my tears and watched them, and I swore this day would never come. Now that he's actually here it makes me think back to when he wasn't there. I went five long years, going from home to home, searching for him. I'd sneak out and search at night.
At the time I didn't care that it wasn't safe, I just wanted to find him and night time was the only time, I could sneak out. I laugh at my defiant behavior, I was probably twelve. Sneaking out of my foster moms house. I stayed there four maybe three weeks before she sent me back.
"You like the baby?"
"She's cute, looks a lot like you as a baby"
I smiled at how good his words came out, usually he has to pause then continue or he'll stutter.
"Have you been working on your speech?"
"Yes, it's.. better"
I decided to leave the subject about who's been hurting him alone. He seems happy right now and I don't want to take that away by asking. But tomorrow I plan to get to the bottom of this new fear he has.
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I stayed up half the night talking to my dad, surprising he opened up about who has been hurting him. I was very pissed that someone put him in a damn mental hospital. Nothing is wrong with him so why the hell was he put there? That's something Kidd and I will definitely have to discuss.
It was very hard for him to explain the things he's been through. I learned that there is a nurse there, but he doesn't know her name. He told me that she would bathe him in cold water, give him cold food.
She'd hit him when he wouldn't answer her. That hurt because everyone who knows my dad, knows that he doesn't speak unless he feels comfortable around the person!
I couldn't even hear the rest because it's sickening.. I just my dad to life for today and forget yesterday. I don't want him to live in fear because that's not a healthy way to live.
Kidd was here, he came back with a few of my dad's things so he could stay with me for a while. I wanted to speak to Kidd though because there's a lot of things that have been on my mind.
My dad was sitting in the living room with Eliza. He was playing with her little elephant.. he'd make little noises and Eliza would laugh. I stepped in the kitchen where Kidd was grabbing something to drink.
"Why was he in the mental hospital?"
"I'm not exactly sure, I didn't admit him if that's what your thinking"
"I wasn't.. but I'm extremely upset that someone did. He told me a nurse hit him, do you know which one?"
"No, but I've been trying to figure it out. I think it's the one that was giving him dirty looks when I took him out of there"
I just looked at him. I'm honestly not sure why I feel this way.. I feel like I owe Kidd so much for doing this for my dad. I don't think I would have ever found him if it wasn't for Kidd.
"Well thanks, again. I feel like I owe you one"
He frowned at me and opened his drink. "No you don't owe me anything. You and June bug mean a lot to me so it's nothing"
He pat my shoulder and sat down at the table. I smiled at how nice he is..
"Your such a sweet guy.. so you bake?" I tried not to laugh, I've never met a man that could bake.
He cut his eyes at me and held up a finger, so he could swallow the juice in his mouth.
"I don't.. but I'm learning, June bug has a sweet tooth"
"And I'm sure you learned that sugar isn't the best thing to give him, the hard way"
"I did.. he was up for hours acting up, but he's a coo person so it didn't bother me too much. We played NBA2k14 and that definitely kept him busy"
I smiled because that showed me that he has started to figure my dad out. My dad would sit and watch basketball for hours. I remember when we were homeless there was a restaurant. The owner always gave us food and let my dad watch the games.
I'm thankful for the, people who were nice to us when we were on the streets. As long as I live I will always be appreciative of those who helped us, if it weren't for them I don't know where we'd be..