“I’m sorry. I didn’t want you to know. I can’t do a fucking thing right!”
“You just said ‘fuck’,” she says.
“See? But you said it, too.”
My parents leave the room silently, so that we can be alone.
“Did you really do all those things for her? For me?”
I shrug. “I wanted to help, but I didn’t know how.”
“Did you love her?” she asks.
I nod. “She was amazing.”
“She was.”
“Like you.”
A single tear slithers down her face; my own cheeks flood with tears.
“So we’re staying here?”
“We’re staying here. In your grandparents’ house. I can’t afford anything else right now, but I promise you that—”
Skylar moves quickly, launching herself at me and wrapping her arms around my waist.
“It’s perfect. Here is absolutely perfect.”
“Seriously?”
She lifts her gaze to meet mine.
“I like living here with you, Dad.”
“Did you just call me what I think you called me?”
She laughs and hugs me tighter. “Thank you for bringing me here.”
“Oh, honey.” I squeeze her back. “Thankyoufor trusting me.”
“And thanks for everything you did for Mum. She always said you were special.”
“Did she really?”
“And she loved you, too, you know.” She looks at me again. “And so do I.”
I don’t know if any of this counts towards a nomination for Father of the Year, but it definitely counts to me.
There’s nothing better than to feel loved – especially when the person loving you is a fifteen-year-old girl who hates everyone and everything, but has miraculously decided not to hate you.
Jordan
Iopen the door, purse in hand; but I realise right away that this isn’t the usual delivery guy.
“Did someone order fish and chips?” He waggles the bag towards me.
“I hope you gave him a good tip.”
