Dad

ISABELLA

 

I trusted him. A scary realization I’ve come to over the past few hours. I trusted him to piece me back together. I trusted him to come back, to get me out of here. I trusted him, and it felt right.

 

As I dressed, I couldn’t help but feel the hope taking over my mind, my body. I felt like smiling, for the first time in a long, long time. As scared as I was, I couldn’t find it in me to regret it, to question it. I was going to leave this hospital with him and I was going to take a chance and trust that he wont let me fall.

 

Muffled talking from the other side of the door began to grab my attention. It sounds close, as if right outside my door. Were the nurses coming to check on me again? They knew Christopher had left to get Lisa, I’m sure he isn’t back quite so soon.

 

A knock on the door froze me in my tracks. The door opened slowly, letting the light from the hall shine in, lighting the room and allowing the aroma of medicine and disinfectant fill the air.

 

I focus on the man standing in the doorway, trying to piece together the reasons why he could be here. His jeans and worn out boots highlighted the best of his appearance. His plaid shirt and unshaven face, I tried to avoid. This wasn’t happening.

 

“D-Dad?” I choke out the words, wanting nothing but for this nightmare to end. I feel my knees knocking together, my strength fading and I grip onto the side of the bed, steadying myself.

 

He turns and closes the door behind him before speaking. “Hi Isabella.” He says, his voice different than I last remembered. It wasn’t as cold, bitter, as I was used to. “What.. Are you doing here?” I ask, not understanding why the man who threw me away, with the rest of my family, was standing here in front of me now.

 

“Well, I called the school to see how you were doing.” He says, looking around the room. “Not good, I see.” “I’m fine.” I counter, flinching against his words. I begin shoving things into my bag; the clothes I had changed out of.

 

He coughs for a second, clearing his throat. “I think it’s time you came home.” His words hit me harder than any blow I’d received lately. “What?” I ask, my tone bitter. I even heard it, knew it, but did not stop it. “You’ve been away too long, Bell.” I try to keep my reactions to his nickname to a minimum. “We miss you.”

 

I turn away from him, angrily. He used a plural that I knew was false. His reasoning for being here must be some kind of trick; a scheme. “I’m staying here.” I finalize, wanting him to just turn around and walk right back out of my life. I don’t need him, nor the rest of my family. I’ve got something going for me now.

 

“It’s not really up for you to decide, is it?” He asks. I turn to catch his expression. It’s not as angry as I’d envisioned, but it’s not in anyway polite. “Why the sudden change of heart?” My words are acidic, but he doesn’t react.

 

He doesn’t answer my question, he just rubs his neck with his hand. “You’re coming home.” He says, looking at me. “I am home.” I say, shaking my head. Anger now flickers across his face and then finds a permanent home. “Look, you’re going home. We can’t afford this housing plan anymore.” He says sarcastically, glaring at me.

 

“You can’t pay for the school?” I ask, ignoring the roughness behind his voice. “You’re one expensive problem.” He tells me, his fake shell now cracked and exposed. Immediately, I begin thinking of ways I could stay. There’s no way I can go home with this stranger. I haven’t known him since I was eight, and even then, I didn’t know him.

 

He gets annoyed with my silent thinking and walks over to me. Before I know it, his hand it around my wrists and I’m being pulled out of the room. He has my bag over his shoulder and it’s impossible to resist. I’m not strong enough.

 

“I’ve already signed you out. We’re leaving.” He announces, pulling me harder, his hands rough and hurting my wrist. “Dad stop!” I protest, failing at my attempts to fight back. “I can figure out a way to pay for it myself!” I say, yanking at my hand.

 

This amuses him and he chuckles as we head down the hall way. “Right, you’re just a child. You don’t even have a job.” He continues laughing. “Yes I do, and I could get another! Dad just wait!” I try to find something to grab onto, but there’s nothing stable anywhere within reach.

 

As we head for the entry doors, I see him, walking back from the parking lot with Lisa. I feel my heart tearing as he spots me. “Isabella?” He asks, suddenly weary, coming to my side. “What’s going on?”

 

My dad doesn’t stop, ignoring Christopher and Lisa. “Excuse me, I’m Isabella’s councilor..” Lisa tries to speak to my father. “I’m taking her home.” He barks, heading towards the lot. Christopher and Lisa follow, rushed. “You can’t do that!” Christopher protests a losing argument. I just stare up to him, fighting the tears, wanting to reach out and cling to him.

 

“I can, and I will. I am!” My dad yells back at Christopher, now turning to meet his eyes. He smiles, a smug, sarcastic smile. “I’m sorry, and you are?” He asks, amusement I his voice. “Christopher Lane.” Christopher says, extending a hand. My father ignores it and continues. “Well, take this as you will, but I’m saving you, boy. I’m taking this problem off your hands.” He says, throwing a finger in my direction. A stinging pain rises in my chest, and I realize my heart is racing.

 

Christopher’s eyes follow the gesture to me. I can see the pain surfacing in his expression and he opens his mouth to speak but my father pulls me again. I resist, as much as possible for me, but my father easily wins the struggle. Just as Christopher is about to follow us, Lisa stops him, holding onto his arm. “Let them go.” She says. He shakes his head, but keeps his eyes locked with mine.

 

I see the crystal look in his eyes and wish I could make the pain fade away. I knew being involved with my life would only cause him pain. As my father takes me out of view, I mouth the words “I’m sorry” and I pray I find a way to stop my father from taking me away from my true home.

Author's Note

you didn't think i was going to let it be that easy for Christopher and Isabella to be together, did you?