by Ruthi Kight
I made my way down, listening carefully. I could hear other voices, but they were all muffled. I walked into the living room and found Roxie, Chase, Brian, and my dad, all sitting around the room. As soon as my dad and I made eye contact, I rushed to him. He jumped up to reach me and I threw myself into his arms. We hugged and cried, both of us hanging on to the other for dear life.
I’m not sure how long we stayed that way, but by the time we pulled apart, we were alone.
“Baby, I am so sorry. I should have been there. I never should have left you to take care of her by yourself.” He was shaking. I wanted to reassure him, but I couldn’t. I didn’t blame him for what happened, but telling him that he had nothing to feel guilty about would have been a lie. Both of us had something to feel guilty about.
“What do we do now? I mean, the house...it’s gone, right?” I looked up at him through bloodshot eyes.
“It’s gone, yes. I have...news, I guess.” He ran his hands through his hair, a nervous habit that he had always possessed. “I was going to tell you both when I got home...but...”
“Tell me, please.”
“I was offered a job. In Houston.” I stared at him, waiting for him to continue. When I didn’t respond, he finally told me the rest. “I said yes. That’s what I was going to tell you both about. I was supposed to start in two weeks.”
Leave? He had made the choice to move halfway across the country without even discussing it with me or Mom? I was in shock, which considering the past 24 hours, was enough to end the stability in my legs. I dropped down to the nearest couch and buried my hands in my hair.
“I’m sorry. It was too good of an opportunity to pass up. I can’t back out. But I want you to come with me. We can start over. Leave this all behind.”
I looked up at him, shocked. “Start over? Are you kidding me?” My voice was rising with each word. “I don’t want to leave! This is still my home...just...without an actual home.”
“It would be good for both of us, sweetie. Think about it. Please?”
I shook my head and leaned back. “No, I don’t want to. I won’t. If you want to leave, fine. But I’m staying.”
It was his turn to lose his temper. “Where will you live? Have you even thought about that?” The sound of his voice must have caught Roxie’s attention because moments later she was back in the room, her hands on her hips.
“I wasn’t trying to overhear, but since it was unavoidable, can I say something?” She turned to address me, her body relaxing as we looked at each other. “My home is your home, Katy. You can stay with me. In fact, I wouldn’t have it any other way.”
I stared at her for a moment, completely dumbstruck. When I was finally able to tear my eyes away, I looked at my dad. He didn’t seem happy, but there was a look of relief on his face as well. Maybe he hadn’t wanted me to come along, after all. These days, it was hard to tell where his heart was anymore.
“Are you sure? I mean, that’s so sweet of you to offer, but I don’t want you to feel obligated.” I stood up, my legs still shaky.
“Hell yes I’m sure. It will be like a 24 hour sleepover. Please, say yes. Besides, my parents will be leaving soon, and I’ll be all alone. It would be a favor to me if you stayed.”
I glanced back and forth between her and Dad, watching both of them. “Dad?”
“If that’s what you want...I want you with me, but if you want to stay, I understand.” He was so tired looking in that moment. I finally saw the lines that were covering his face now. He was old before his time and I knew that this was the right thing to do. He would be able to let go, slowly, and move on with his life.
I walked over to him and wrapped my arms around him, hugging him as if it would be the last time. I knew it wouldn’t be, but there was only a limited amount of time that we would have before he had to leave for Houston. This was a huge decision and, considering everything else going on, it was at the worst time possible. All of our lives had been turned on its head, leaving us all gaping open.
“I love you Dad. Thank you,” I whispered as I pulled him close.
“I’ll miss you baby. Promise me you’ll come visit.”
“You couldn’t keep me away if you tried.”
As we pulled apart, I looked over at Roxie and found her surrounded by Chase and Brian. There were small smiles on each one of their faces and I knew I had made the right choice. This would be a hard road, one that would test all of our limits, but with all of them by my side, I knew we would make it. I knew I would make it. I hoped.
“So...the funeral. Who’s ready to deal with that?” I asked and watched each one of their faces fall. Looked like I was going to be taking the reins of yet another job that I was not prepared for. Lord help me. I don’t know if I could handle yet another adventure this soon.
