Chapter 4
"When will you be able to go home?" I asked my father. I opened my bottle of soda and took a sip of the cherry Pepsi.
He sat up against the pillows with a tray of food on his lap.
I was at the hospital visiting him, Brenda hadn’t shown up yet.
That gave my father and me time to talk.
Since I had the night off, I decided to spend as much time as I could with him before heading home.
I'd spend the rest of my night mixing drinks and relaxing. I'd more than likely be getting drunk.
"They haven't given me a day yet. Will you come by and visit me?" he asked, tearing off a piece of bread.
I shrugged, avoiding his eyes. “I’m not sure you’ll want me here. We never had that father daughter bond,” I admitted.
“You’re right. We don’t have that relationship, and it’s my fault.
I can admit that. I could’ve lost my life when I was in the car accident, and my greatest regret would be not getting to know you better.
I can’t go back in time and change anything that happened in the past, but I can make up for it now.
If you’re willing, we can work on building a relationship.
It’s no pressure if you don’t want to, but I’d like to give it a try.
” He set the tray of food on the table next to the bed.
I pinched my lips together and just stared at him.
He had me at a loss for words. I didn’t know what to say to that.
He wanted to give a relationship with me a try.
I wanted that in the past, but when I saw he didn’t meet me halfway, I gave up on the idea of having a relationship with him. Now he wanted one.
I sighed deeply and tried talking. “We can give it a try, but I’m not sure how it’s going to go.”
He smiled a little. “That’s all I ask is for a chance to get to know you and work on having a bond.”
I wanted to tell him, he asked for too much but if he wanted to try, I’d meet him halfway. It was the least I could do.
Before I could ask or say anything else to him, the door opened. Brenda stepped in with a smile on her face. I stood up, getting ready to go. It was their time to have some alone time together.
I greeted Brenda with a smile.
“I’ll reach out to you later this week,” my father stated.
I nodded. “Okay, I’ll look forward to your call. See y’all later.” I strolled toward the door and exited the room.
I walked toward the emergency room exit to head to my car.
I nearly stumbled when I saw the grumpy man from the bar.
There was no way in hell I'd be calling him mine again.
He wasn't my mystery man anymore. He had hurt my feelings a week ago, and the bad part about that was that he hadn't come back to the bar either.
Still, seeing him at the hospital, looking distressed, didn't sit well with me, especially when he had younger kids with him. Were they his?
Something in my heart wouldn't let me walk away without trying to talk to him. What the hell was it about this man that always pulled me to him? Then he was an ass. Gosh, why did I want to talk to him so badly?
Before I could talk myself out of it, I made my way over to him and the kids. I took a seat next to him. He whipped his neck in my direction and huffed. I almost laughed, but I held it in.
"Hi..."
"Man, what the hell do you want? Why do you always bother me?" He ran a hand down his face and leaned back in the chair. He rested his head on the window and folded his arms.
Even though he looked irritated, I wouldn't leave him alone. He had his hair pulled into a ponytail today, which made him look much younger.
"I'm bothering you because it looks like you could use a friend."
He grunted. "Nah, I don't need a friend."
I smacked my lips. "Yes, you do. You just don't want to admit it." I wish he'd let me in.
"Mari, I don't feel good," the little boy whined beside him. The little boy crawled onto the grumpy man's lap and laid his head on his chest.
I frowned. "What's wrong with him?"
He cut his eyes at me. "He has bad asthma, and it makes him sick a lot," he admitted.
I was a little surprised he told me what was going on with him. "Is he your son?"
He frowned and shook his head. "Nah, he's my little brother. He might as well be mine, though."
He had me wondering what he meant by that. I wouldn't want to ask too many questions too soon. I'd take him talking to me over not talking at all. It was best that I leave the conversation right here.
"I hope he gets well soon," I told him.
He nodded. "Thanks."
I got up from the chair and made my way out of the hospital. I had to stop myself from turning back around to stare at him. When I made it to my car, the only thing I could do was rest my head against the headrest. A part of me felt like I had left something behind.
Jacey walked back into the living room with two glasses of wine. She handed one to me and then took her seat with her glass of wine. I was glad her man wasn't home. Hopefully, I'd be gone by the time he came back.
"It's been so long since you came here. You must be down about something. Normally, I'd come to you," Jacey voiced.
I took a sip of my wine. "Girl, you don't know the half. Since my father been in the hospital, I had been calling to check on him, plus I’d been getting updates from Brenda. She let me know what had been going on. Today, I went to see him, and he said he wanted to work on having a relationship with me.”
Her eyes widened. “Girl, what? How do you feel about that?”
I shrugged. “I want to give this a try since he wants to. I just don’t want to be let down in the end.
If he’s serious about this, I’d give it my all.
You know I want a relationship with my father.
I’m about to get that chance.” I smiled, hoping I made the right decision to give this a try with my father.
“I think it’ll work out, Chy. With both of you wanting to make that step, you might get the bond you want with him.”
I beamed. “Girl, I’m hoping so.”
“How’s his wife? Do y’all talk?”
I shook my head. “No, we don’t. We’re cordial with each other, but that’s it.
What’s the point? Girl, my father done had so many women in his life, I’m surprised he’s still with her.
It’s been three years since they got together, but my thing is.
.. he and my mother's relationship is solid now.
They talk too damn much. What does his wife have to say about that? "
Jacey's eyes widened, and she leaned in as if she were about to whisper something. "Are your mama and daddy still fucking?"
I burst out laughing. "Girl, I don't know. I'm thinking the same thing. More importantly, does his wife know?"
Jacey shook her head. "She probably doesn't. I don't know why I can see your parents still going at it. They're too close. Is your mother dating anyone?"
I shook my head. "Nope. She's been single for a while now."
Jacey snapped her fingers together. "So, she and your dad might still have something going on then. Hell, he cheated on her with other women. Who's to say he's not cheating on his wife now with his ex-wife?"
I had no words. What if what Jacey said was true? My father was a cheater. He didn't care about hurting women.
"Girl, I don't know." I snickered.
"Has your mama gone to see him at the hospital?"
I shrugged since I didn't know. Neither of them said anything to me about it.
"If they're still fucking on each other, I'd be laughing until I can't no more. That would really be something." Jacey cackled.
I gulped the rest of the wine. "Girl, tell me about it."
That was something I didn't want to think about. My mother had been happy for a while, but she never let me know the reason as to why. Could my father be the reason she still smiled as if she had a man in her life?
"Do you think I should ask either of them?"
Jacey shook her head with a smirk. "Girl, no. Let this play out."
I giggled. "Sure thing." I was glad I had her to talk to about the problems I faced. "How are you?"
Jacey gave me a small smile. "I'm good. Still trying to stack my money, so I can get the hell out of here."
"You know, if you ever want to leave without having as much as you need. I'm here for you," I reminded my friend.
She reached her hand out for me to take it, and I did. "Thanks, sis. That's why I truly appreciate you."
I squeezed her hand in mine. Hopefully, Jacey pulled herself out of this situation and fast.