Chapter 459
I had been here for exactly an hour and already I was homesick. Because we didn’t arrive until late my dad thought it was best I meet everyone tomorrow. My gran was throwing a gathering.
Food, drinks and everything in between. I was trying my best not to be nervous but every time I thought about it, I felt queasy. I was only meeting my family; it was going to be fine.
Right?
I was staying in the room I was in the last time I was here. The picture of my mom was still sitting on the bedside table, and I noticed a few extra things that weren’t here before.
Cushions on the bed, blankets, a tv mounted on the wall. I was glad I had my own bathroom, and it was already stocked with enough products to last me a month.
I was almost finished unpacking when there was a knock on the door.
“Come in”. I called.
“Are you settling in, okay?”. My dad asked leaning in the door frame.
I nodded. “Do you live here all the time?”. I asked. I found it a little strange that we were in the pack house and not his house. Maybe he didn’t have a house?
“I have a house”. He smiled. “But seeing as it’s just me I prefer to live here. It’s more lively and less lonely p>
Oh. That last part stung a little. Let’s face it. I didn’t know him not really. He lost my mom 18 years ago. If what they say is true, my dad has been on his own all those years.
“You don’t have to be on your own”. I spoke whilst hanging up my jacket. It was okay for him to find someone else. Nobody should live their life alone or lonely. Everyone deserved to find happiness.
You shouldn’t be judged for moving on.
“It is okay to move on”. I wasn’t sure if I was treading on thin ice by saying this. But he was my dad after all, and mom was no longer here.
“Move on?”. He frowned.
“Everyone deserves to be happy”. I spoke.
“I am happy Leah. I have good health, a great family and my daughter’s back in my life p>
“Okay”. I nodded. I wasn’t going to say any more about it. If he says he’s happy then who am I to say he’s not.
“Are you hungry?”. He asked. “There’s a 24-hour diner not far from here p>
“Sure, I’ll meet you downstairs in five p>
It was almost 10pm when we arrived at the diner. There were a few cars scattered in the car park but other than that it wasn’t busy.
“Sit anywhere you want, and I’ll be with you in a second”. The waitress smiled as we walked inside.
“You pick”. My dad spoke.
I led the way right to the back and picked a booth by the window. I could still see everything and everyone that came and went. Not that I was expecting it to be busy at this time.
“It’s nice in here”. I spoke picking up the menu. “Feels homey p>
“It is”. He smiled. “Pick anything you want it’s on me p>
I went for chocolate chip pancakes, a side of bacon and cheese fries and a full fat coke.
“How come no one’s at the pack house?”. I asked.
“What do you mean p>
“You said you prefer to live there because it’s livelier and yet there’s no one there but us p>
“Ah”. He smiled. “They come and go. They stay whenever they want but not tonight, not for the next few days p>
“How come?”. I frowned.