Chapter 3
ALEXIS
“Can you believe we’re graduating today?
” Marcee squeals, her excitement infectious.
I slept over last night so we could get ready together before heading to graduation.
Seniors have to arrive a few hours earlier than family and friends, so we’ll head over together and plan to meet up with our families after the ceremony.
But the real headline for the day? After years of not showing up, and missing every big event in my life, my dad called to say he is coming.
He left a voice mail saying, “I wouldn’t miss it for the world, Alexis. ”
And honestly…I think he might actually mean it!
I’m trying to play it cool, but I’m pretty sure I’m failing miserably.
I’m just so excited. I do a little happy dance as I head to the bathroom Marcee and I share at her dad’s new place he got after the divorce.
I pass Mr. Walker in the hallway and wave.
I haven't seen him much since the divorce but I’m comforted that he still seems as happy as ever.
He’s cute in a dad way. You know, the type that is always wearing a polo shirt and looks like an accountant.
He has crystal-blue eyes that are to die for.
Marcee has always complained that she got her mom’s eyes instead of his, and I can’t blame her, no man has the right to have eyes like that.
His sandy brown hair has grown out from the previously close-cut style he wore, and a few strands hang down onto his forehead, giving his look a more youthful and casual aura.
Now and then, he sports the perfect amount of stubble.
He usually opts for a clean-shaven look most days, but I like seeing him look relaxed more often now.
He deserves it from what I saw and heard.
Vivian hates his hair and says he looks like he’s trying to join a boy band. I think it’s cute that he’s having a little bit of a rebellion after she dictated his hairstyle for the last twenty years.
I’m about to step into the bathroom when he calls my name. As he approaches, I'm struck again by his eyes, almost an icy blue. He shoves his hands into his pockets as he glances down at me, looking very awkward. “You know, I never thanked you for that night when you brought Marcee to the beach.”
“Oh, no problem, she was in no state to drive, and I knew she needed to be with you.”
Running his hands through his hair a few times, I notice his arm bulges a little.
Guess he is going for a revenge bod to go with the hair.
He smiles, looking down at me and steps closer as he lowers his voice.
“I also know you stayed in that parking lot for hours just in case she needed you. That…” He pauses, locking his gaze with mine, swallowing with emotion.
He’s a couple inches over six feet, a stark contrast to my five-two frame, so I have to tilt my head and look up to meet his eyeline.
“She’s so lucky to have you as her friend, and it makes me feel so much better knowing you’ll be by her side at college next year.
” I melt at his words. I’m saved from figuring out what to say back when my phone rings.
“Oh, uh, sorry, it’s my dad, I better get it.
He’s coming today, so you can finally meet him!
” I know my voice just rose an octave in my excitement, but I can’t help it.
Mr. Walker nods and heads down the hallway.
I slip into the bathroom and close the door as I answer so I can talk to my dad.
He never calls, and I know it’s dorky, but I’m hoping this is the beginning of a shift for our relationship.
We were pretty close when I was little, you know, typical daddy’s girl stuff, going on ice cream dates, to the movies, etc.
When I was ten, he got a huge promotion at work, and I saw a lot less of him, but he was there for all the big things, like holidays, birthdays, and when I played a fairy in the local theater that year.
After that, it became increasingly less frequent for him to show up.
By the time I turned thirteen, he was pretty much a no-show for everything.
For my fifteenth birthday, he bought me a bright red Lexus but didn’t even stick around to give it to me himself.
He just had it delivered with a card. I sometimes wonder if he didn’t know what to do with a teenage girl so he just hid, but now, I’m graduating and we can have a real relationship so he is showing up again. Or at least, that’s my current theory.
“Hey, Dad! I can’t wait to see you. I have your ticket for the ceremony, and Marcee’s dad said you can join us for dinner after. They’re having a big cookout.”
“Alexis.” I freeze at the woman’s voice on the line.
My heart sinks. I recognize that voice; it’s his assistant.
“Um, your father asked me to call you. He—uh, well, he can’t make it after all.
He said he will call you tonight after work, but that your gift should be in your inbox. Congratulations on graduating, Alexis.”
I stare in the mirror not able to respond. After a few seconds of awkward silence, the line disconnects. I check my inbox and there's an email from the bank.
Congratulations, Alexis, your spending limit has increased to $250,000.
That’s it! Not even an email from him.
I knew my mom wouldn’t show, I can’t remember the last time I saw her, but I had stupidly believed my dad would show up. You know, because he said he would. But that was naive of me, and I should have known better; I do know better.
Well, fuck him. I square my shoulders and turn the shower on full blast, steam filling the room and the water scalding hot as I let it numb the pain.