He lied.
“I have to go. I’ll call you later, we’re not done talking about this.” My dad says to the phone before his footsteps start echoing closer to the door. My thoughts are all in shambles, debating between confronting him or taking the time to process what just happened. Thinking quickly, I press my phone to my ear, words falling from my lips.
“I can’t believe he said that to you! Van, you absolutely deserve better. Yes, I am home, you’re such a mom!” I say as I finally unlock the door. My dad looks at me, his thick eyebrows furrowing as I cheerfully pretend to hang up with my best friend.
“You just got home?” He asks with a hesitant tone.
“Sure looks like it.” Sarcasm comes out of me, using my usual mood to avoid any suspicion that I heard something he clearly doesn’t want me to, but…
“Why?”
“Mmm, no reason. I thought I heard you get here earlier and that you were working out in the garage.” He says, going back into the kitchen to remove the boiling pasta.
“Well, I did, but I just finished my workout. What difference does it make?”
“None. I also have to work out, you know. Have you practiced your martial arts? I’ll be testing you before I leave.” He says, looking at me over his shoulder, biting into the lie. Being an ex-soldier, my dad is adamant that I know how to defend myself. It was also a non-negotiable with him leaving so often for work, either that or I’m staying with Ruby.
“I didn’t forget, and I did my drills as you planned in my routine.” Closing the door and removing my shoes, I walk towards the stairs, “I’m gonna go shower.”
“Okay, dinner will be ready in thirty minutes.”
Locking myself in the bathroom, I analyze all the scenarios that could make sense, but the only thing that sticks is that my dad lied to me. The man who made Sunday pancakes and running to the bookstore a tradition. The man who taught me martial arts so I would always have the upper hand in life. The man who made me chicken noodle soup and grilled cheese when I was sick.
Realizing that the same person misled me, my eyes start to prickle with salty water.
He lied.
3
Avilyna
I DON’T LIE
The night drags on,each moment heavier than the last. I force a smile, even laugh, well, kind of, at the dad jokes.
“Why don’t skeletons fight each other?” He waits for my answer but quickly gives up after seeing my clueless look. “They don’t have the guts.” He grins at his own pun, clearly proud. I give a weak chuckle, but my heart isn’t in it.
Looking up at me before passing the salt, he asks gently, “What’s going on?”
And I panic.
I don’t lie, I can’t lie, it’s just not in my nature. I am bluntly truthful, and that trait has gotten me in trouble more times than I can count. I decide to use the lesser evil of my truths.
“Mmm… I’ve been asked out on a date,” I cringe with every word.
“Oh, and that’s a bad thing?” Seeing the surprised look on my face, he quickly adds, “I know why it’s a bad thing from my point of view, but I thought you teenagers were looking forward to that.”
“For some, I guess… Anyway, it’s tomorrow, but I feel guilty because you leave on Saturday, and it will be our last night before you go away for a month.”
“Do you want to go?”
“It doesn’t matter, I can?—”
My dad stops me mid-sentence.“Avilyna, what you want matters.”
I freeze, eyes locked on him. I want to believe those words. I want to believe he means them. But how can someone say that and still hide so much?
The hypocrisy twists in my chest, and the anger starts to bubble. Just then, the low hum of the TV in the background cuts through the tension, pulling my attention away. The news reporter’s face is grim, her voice strained, as she speaks over eerie footage of dark woods and flashing sirens.
