"I don’t want to do that," Dad gasped. "Missy, I don’t want to kick you out."
"Then start treating me like someone you’d like to have around. Or I might just leave on my own." With that, I turned on my heel, and went upstairs.
And cried myself to sleep.
They still couldn’t say they loved me. Because they don’t.
PART SIX SATURDAY
I had a hell of a time sleeping Friday night. In fact, I ended up waking up at 6:30 Saturday morning.
Which is a hell of a time to wake up on a Saturday!
I got out of bed, took a shower, went downstairs. I was the only one there. I knew this-Mom had to be at the store by 6:00 AM for inventory. Happens a couple times a year. So, I went downstairs and found my "Mom Note". Every time I’m going to be getting up, or getting home, and Mom knows she’s not going to be there, I get a note. I left you this if you want to make breakfast, have a good day, come down to the store if you get lonely, yadda yadda yadda, love Mom. They’re actually very sweet.
I didn’t feel like cooking. I can. I’m actually a good cook. But I didn’t feel like it, and 7 am was way too early to call Missy. So, I decided to burn off some nervous energy and take a little walk.
I ended up heading towards a diner near my house that makes fabulous omelets. I had decided I was hungry. I’d head there, eat, read the paper, and try to get my mind off of how worried I was about Missy.
As I walked towards the diner, I saw Jared and Amanda headed towards me from the other direction.
"What are you two doing up so early?" I laughed.
"I could ask you the same thing," Jared laughed back.
"Just had a restless night."
"We just woke up early," Jared said. "Well, she did. I could’ve slept for another three hours. She insisted on waking me up."
"Oh, you loved it and you know it," Amanda grinned.
"I don’t think I want to know the details," I laughed.
We went in to the diner and sat together. I was glad they showed up-maybe I should talk things out.
We ordered our food, and then Jared said, "OK, pal, something is on your mind. Out with it."
"I’m worried about Missy," I admitted. I told them all about the events of yesterday.
"Man," Jared said, "I guess I understand her better than I did."
"Yeah," I agreed.
"You’re in deep, aren’t you?" he smiled.
"Pretty much," I smiled back. "Look, I was worried that the old Missy was going to come back. After the past two days, I’m not. I’m worried about her. Mom’s talked to her, and thinks she’s love starved. I’m beginning to agree."
"Yeah, I can see that," Amanda said. "And she really likes you. That’s a bit dangerous."
"You sound like Mom," I smiled.
"Do you love her?" Jared asked.
"I don’t know. I like her. I like her very much."
"Do you think you could love her?" Jared persisted.
"I don’t know. What’s love? I’ve never been in love in my life!" I said.
"Well, do you miss her when she’s gone?" Amanda asked. "Do you wish she were here right now?"
"Yes, and yes. Not that I don’t love you guys, but, you know," I grinned.
"Of course," Jared grinned back. "Is her happiness and well-being at least as important to you as yours is?"
"He doesn’t have to answer that one, honey," Amanda said, "the evidence is under his eye. Fading, but it’s still there."
We all laughed, and Jared said, "Fine. Would you do it again if you knew how it was going to turn out? Would you step in to help her even if you knew you were going to get clobbered?"
"Yes," I said.
"OK, think about some events coming up," Amanda said. "The class picnic. A bunch of us going to the beach, or Six Flags. Stuff like that. Can you see yourself going without her there?"
"Actually, now that you mention it, no. I didn’t even know if I wanted to go to the class picnic. Now, I definitely do. With her."
"Say something really great happened to you," Jared asked, "a big scholarship, or your first choice college accepts you, or something. Would she be the first person you’d want to tell?"
"Depending on the type of news, maybe. Absolutely no worse than the second person."
"That’s fine, I forgot how close your Mother and you are," Jared grinned. "You know that look that Natalie drew-does she ever look at you like that for real?" I nodded. "How does that make you feel?"
"Like I’m the center of the universe."
"Do you think you ever look at her like that?’ Jared asked.
"Yeah, I think I might," I smiled.
"OK, and this isn’t as important as some of the rest of them, but it is important," Amanda said. "Are you physically attracted to her?"
"Hell, yes!" I said. They both laughed.
"I think it’s pretty established that she’s probably a better person for having met you," Amanda said. "Does the reverse hold true?"
"Amanda," I smirked, "can you ever remember us having a conversation before this week when I wasn’t a tongue-tied stuttering fool?" She laughed, and shook her head. "That’s all her. She’s so easy to talk to, and I’m so comfortable around her, that it’s made talking to other people easier.
"Well, pal," Jared said, "I don’t know if you’re in love, but you’re on the expressway headed there."
"I see your point," I said, "but it’s all so confusing."
"Let me make it simpler, then," Amanda said. "You know what Jared does? If it’s a good day, he shows up and makes it a great day. If it’s a so-so day, he makes it a very good day. And if it’s the worst day I’ve had in a month-he makes it bearable."
I thought about that, and grinned. "Yeah. Thanks, guys. You’ve been a big help."
"Don’t mention it," Jared said. "You know what, honey? We should become relationship counselors."
"Just eat your omelet," Amanda grinned at him.
We ate, and chatted for a while, then we all went home. I decided it was late enough to call Missy.
"H’lo?" I heard murmured at the other end of the line. Whoops, maybe I was wrong about it being late enough.
"I’m sorry, Missy, did I wake you?"
"Dave!" she said with remarkable enthusiasm. "Well, no, I’m kinda awake."
"Do you want me to call back later?"
"No, I’m awake enough to talk. Mostly."
"I was worried about you."
"Well, it didn’t go particularly well. Anyhow, I know I’m making you dinner later, but can I see you sooner than that?"
"Sure, I’d like that," I said.
"About two hours?"
"Great."
CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE MISSYWell, at least I had that to look forward to.
I got up, showered, put some clothes on, and went downstairs. This, I wasn’t looking forward to.
I went and fixed some tea and toast, and headed towards the dining room. Dad was there.
"Good morning, Melissa."
"Morning. Where’s Mom?"
"She needed to do some set up for that dance of hers that we’re going to this evening." Good. They were still going. "I have something to say to you," he said. "You are still my responsibility. Despite what else you might think, I do not shirk my responsibilities. You will stay in this house, and complete high school. After that, I expect you to go to college-which, since I consider education a responsibility for children, will be paid for. Then I expect you to go make something of yourself. This is non-negotiable. Is that clear?"
"Yes."