Stuck on You, 8: Miserable at best.
Jenny Shay.
“Good morning, dad.” I greeted my father as I entered the kitchen.
As usual, my dad looked tired. But then again, he never fails to give me his warm winning smile. “Good morning, Jenny.”
“You worked late last night?” I asked him as I poured myself a glass of orange juice that was on the table.
“Yup.”
“Will you be home early for dinner later? Or should I just order take out for myself?” I asked.
“I’ll be home late. You can go ahead.”
I nodded slowly, sipping my orange juice in disappointment. “Okay.” I got up and kissed my dad goodbye and headed out the door for another day of school.
On the way to school, I could still feel the feeling of disappointment filling me up from top to bottom.
I mean, yeah okay, my dad needs to work to earn extra money and stuff, to help pay for my school fees, give me allowance, buy groceries, yadda yadda.
But really? When will he just skip at least a day just to spend time with me, his only daughter?
I forgot how it felt like spending time with your parents. My dad, mom and I used to do that everyday. I mean, before mom died, anyway.
One thing I wish for since mom died was for dad to stop blaming himself for her death. I mean, it’s not like he killed her. It’s been 5 years and it’s always dull with him. I haven’t even heard him laugh in awhile. Laughing for him is a rare occasion, really. It sucks.
I miss my dad.
Not this… workaholic.
Yknow what I think? I think he does all his extra work not because “he wants to earn extra money”, but he just uses it as an excuse to make him forget whatever happened to mom 5 years ago.
There were a few times I caught dad looking through pictures of mom. It happened twice this month. I woke up probably pass midnight to get myself a glass of milk, then in the living room, I saw a figure of a man, which was obviously my dad. I heard him sobbing, and then I saw the shelf next to the TV opened, which was where our family albums were kept.
So, obviously he was looking through pictures of mom.
I sighed in frustration.
Not long after that, I was standing in front of my school’s gates. I didn’t even notice I was there until Alexa scared me half to death caused by a heart attack.
“Jeez, Lexa!” I jumped. “You almost gave me a heart attack!”
Alexa grinned, “Sorry, guuuuurlfriend!” she said in her Okie twang accent.
I rolled my eyes then gave her a small smile, “It’s okay.”
“You alright?” Alexa asked me as we walked our way to the lockers.
“Mfine.” I gave her a smile, “Slept late last night.”
“You? Sleeping late? Really?” Alexa raised an eyebrow up, “Doing what?”
I hesitated then finally answered, “Homework.”
Alexa rolled her eyes and said, “Please, Jen. You do your homework straight away right after school at either Borders or Starbucks. You never sleep late unless it’s exam season.”
“Well… I just… forgot that we had math homework to do.” I told her without looking at her in the eyes, “It happens.”
“No, it doesn’t.” Said Alexa, “And plus, last time I recalled, we don’t have any math homework.”
Oh, crap. “Fine. I was watching TV.”
I could feel Alexa studying me carefully, “Nope. Liar.”
“Fine! It’s nothing, okay? Just forget it.”
“Really, Jen, really? When something bothers you, it’ll keep on bothering you for another week. It’s frustrating, really.”
“Well, sorry about that then.” I sighed and closed my locker.
“C’mon, what’s it about? You can always tell me anything, yknow.” Alexa pouted.
I sighed then finally told her the truth, “It’s just my dad.”
Alexa nodded indicating that she understood, “Working late again?”
“It’s all the time, Lexie.” my voice was breaking.
“Hey!” Alexa held both my shoulders and gave me a smile, “It’ll be alright.”
“It’s been 5 years, Lexie. I can’t take it anymore. I miss my daddy.” I sobbed.
“Don’t cry here, not now. Just… don’t think about it okay? Forget it for now, and later, I’ll treat you when we go to Starbucks and we’ll talk about it then, okay?”
I sniffed, “Okay, you’re the best.”
Alexa winked and pulled me into a hug, “I know.”
