“It doesn’t change biology.” Haizley had a faraway look in her eyes when she said it. “I recently met my father.”
I moved back to the couch and sat down in front of her. Haizley didn’t share much about her private life, but living in a small town, you heard rumors and stories.
“I thought your parents died in a car accident?”
“They did. What I didn’t know was that they had adopted me. While in New York with Melissa, I learned things I never knew. Including who my birth parents are. My mother is gone; I’ll never get to meet her. But my father.” She smiled, and it was infectious. I smiled with her, wanting to know everything.
“How did you feel when you found out?” I asked cautiously.
It had been a trap. I knew from the smile she showed me at my question that she revealed this information because it directly related to me.
“Shocked doesn’t even begin to describe it. I didn’t know I was adopted, so there were a lot of emotions about that. Grief, betrayal. All normal reactions for someone who learns their parents don’t share the same blood.”
“I think Frankie knows she’s adopted,” I muttered.
“She does.”
“What about your father?” I asked. “What’s he like?”
“He’s... a lot,” she said. “He’s done a lot of bad things in his life, but he’s also done a lot of good things. He’s married, has a son.”
“So you have a brother?”
“I do.” Haizley laughed.
“Did you forgive him? For not being in your life?”
“He didn’t know about me. My mother told him, but he didn’t believe her when she couldn’t produce me. He walked away and never looked back.” She shrugged.
“It’s not the same thing.”
“Not exactly, no. But when I found out the truth, I had a choice to make. I could walk away, the way he did. Tell him I didn’t want him in my life. Or I could accept his flaws.”
“What did you choose?” I asked.
“I chose to get to know him. He’s my father, and there is a connection between fathers and daughters. One that is unbreakable. Derek, the things he’s done are far worse than what you did.” She held her hand up when I tried to interrupt. “I’m not excusing either of you, but I lost my dad when I was sixteen. I loved him so much. Now I have a chance to have another one. One who will do anything in his power to ensure I am safe and loved. That’s all a little girl wants from her dad. Love and protection.”
Chapter Twelve
Derek
My truck was parked down the street from Haizley’s house. I’d started doing it intentionally. Once a week, I walked past Kat’s house to Haizley’s and then passed it again on my way back.
It might seem a little stalkerish, but it wasn’t every fucking day.
My head was down as I thought about what Haizley said about what a girl wants from her dad. Was I capable of giving Frankie love and protection? I hadn’t done great with the protection. I thought I was doing the right thing. Movement caught my eye, and I looked up and found Frankie sitting on the front porch.
“Hey, Curly Sue,” I greeted, detouring up the driveway. “Everything okay?”
Frankie shrugged but didn’t answer.
I hesitantly sat on the step next to her and waited a beat before asking, “Why the long face?”
She sat with her arms crossed over her knees, staring down the road the way I had come. “Do you have a girlfriend?”
Her question threw me for a loop, and when she turned to look me in the eye, I sat there shocked. All I could do was blink at her.
“I don’t have a girlfriend.”
