To: griffincaleb@gmail.com
From: Skylarlodge@gmail.com
Subject: Therapy.
Waking up with a stretch, I curse myself for getting so drunk last night as I make my way to the kitchen.
By the time I reach the kitchen, I am sure I am not in my house despite just leaving my room.
"C'mon not another stupid dream," I groan following the direction of sweet aroma.
On the dining table lies a selection of breakfast from bacon to scrambled eggs, sandwiches, toast, slices of cake and mandazis.
"Morning, lil sister," I kiss lands on my cheek.
Aliysha grabs her self some sandwiches and eggs packing them. She was dressed in a modern, chic outfit that beautifully blends elegance and playfulness with the top part a crisp white short-sleeve shirt with a pointed collar and structured chest. The lower part of the dress transitions seamlessly into a beige, body-hugging mini dress that flares subtly at the bottom, emphasizing her hourglass silhouette. Decorative buttons in a double-breasted style add a polished touch to the beige section, enhancing the illusion of a structured outfit.
Her blonde hair is styled in a voluminous, messy bun with a few soft tendrils framing her face. She accessorizes with large hoop earrings, black-rimmed glasses that add a touch of intellectual charm, and a gold bracelet on one wrist. In her left hand, she carries a sleek black handbag with gold detailing, completing the ensemble with black kitten heels.
"Are you leaving?" I let out a yawn.
"Yeah unlike some people,I have work in the morning,"
"But it feels good to be some of the people that don't have work in the morning," I stick my tongue out.
Aliysha was currently on her attachment working at Sweet waters logistics firm with Erik, while I had chosen to start with a project and finish with internship a few months before graduation.
She throws me a finger before quickly leaving the house.
"Morning child," a voice says behind me, startling me.
Holding onto my chest I turn to face the person. I don't think I have ever been this near to him after I found the truth out. I didn't know how to react, I didn't know whether I hated him or was just disappointed at his actions.
"Sorry I didn't think anyone else was in the house,I will leave," I take a step away from me.
"Without having breakfast? I made all this for you," he gestures to the table that almost resembles a buffet.
"No. No. I will be late for work," I lie as I take steps away from him.
"Of course. Do great Ms.Willow," he shoots me a weak smile as he takes a seat.
I turned ready to leave,but his last comment suddenly infuriated me and I stomped my way back.
"No! You don't get to pretend that you care right now!" I bite out.
"I am not pretending" he doesn't seem unfazed by the sudden anger.
"Yes you are. Where have you been for the last two decades of my life,huh?"
"I have been right here with you,"
His cryptic questions and relaxed smile on his face is annoying and pissing me off. My face starts burning up with anger and I fear that I might let out fire from inside me and burn however caused me pain.
"You look like your mother when you get that upset," he tucks some stray strands behind my ear.
His words and the look in his eyes throw me off guard. I didn't even know what mom looked like when she was angry, she never cared enough to let me even see her happy face.
Am too sober to deal with this.
I head to the kitchen rummaging for alcohol, while Martin remains seated watching me tear up his kitchen. Coming up blank I check the fridge and find some gelato which I pick to stuff myself and get a brain freeze.
"Mango, great," I say with a mouth full.
"What did I ever do to make you not want me?" I stand behind the kitchen counter fumbling with my gelato unable to face him in the eye, afraid of what I will see.
I hear the chair scraping as he moves over to me, laying a hand on mine that won't just be still, he says,"Don't you ever think I didn't want you monkey. I can't even count the many times that Lucy and I fought so that I can have you back," his eyes crinkle around the corner as they mist over.
~~~~~~
"Hey,"
"Monkey? What are you doing here?"
I enter the kitchen. It wasn't as busy as I expected for a Friday night. He was by the counter working on some sort of desert.
"You didn't come to my game," I dip a finger in the mixture.
Banana Pudding. My favorite.
"I was led to believe you didn't want me there,"
He starts plating the pudding.
"That's impossible. You have always been there and I was really hoping you were at this one," I move out of the way of a bus boy carrying a hell lot of food.
"Am sorry, but for what it's worth I did watch your game. Your sister was live feeding the game," he moves over to the stove and starts stirring the pot.
"Yeah, you were amazing," Kenny, one of the waiters, says.
"Thanks," I am blushing at the praise as I tuck a strand of hair behind my ear.
I fail to see Drew behind me with a two person platter that is Friday special offer, and collide into him as a turn to my dad, making him spill the food.
"Am so sorry, I didn't see you there," I I apologize profusely as I help pick up the spilled food.
"It's okay monkey. It's not your fault. We are just down a few workers and full house today.
"Oh! Where can I help?"
"No where, we can manage," dad moves onto another pot.
"But I want to, and you clearly need the help,"
"She is right, boss," Drew picks up another tray ready for serving.
"Fine, grab a uniform in there,and help drew with service," he agrees, thou hesitantly.
*****
It's already an hour past midnight, when we finally close up the restaurant and head home.
"Thanks for the help today,"
"Any time, and I enjoyed working with you, hope we can do this again sometime soon," I say as I make my way to the kitchen to grab some mango gelato that dad always makes every other day.
"Yeah,I would love that too," he stifles a yawn.
He still looks exhausted but not like he did a few months ago when I stopped by his restaurant. He seems slightly at ease and not constantly on edge.
"Is Aliysha back yet? She left with Erik immediately after the game," the quick shift in his eyes and posture happened so fast I barely registered it.
"I don't think she will be back tonight. Goodnight monkey" he gives me a forehead kiss and walks to his room.
I debate on what to watch as I stuff myself with crisps and gelato walking to my room when Caleb video calls.
"Hello lovely, thought you would still be at the party" he is already settled in bed in a vest.
"No. Came back home. Wanted to talk to my father," I place the camera away from me and quickly strip out of my clothes and into a tank top and shorts.
"That's good. I got to play tonight," I climbed into bed and positioned the camera in time to see the gigantic grin on his face.
"Am happy for you," I can't help but match his grin.
"Thanks. They decided I will be playing the home game happening next Friday"
We spend the night talking till I fall asleep.
********
I come back loaded with snacks for the new week and more energized after spending the weekend in dad's restaurant.
"You better have those curly fries or you are going back to wherever you came from," Amelia snatchs my bag the second I stepped into the room.
"Glad to see you missed me too," I sass as I sat on my moving bed.
"Sister! You're back!" Aliysha yells when I pull the covers off her.
"What are you doing here?"
"Is it Monday already?"
Amelia shakes her head yes at her question. She jumps off my bed residue of cheerios, crisps and pizza following after her.
"Am gonna be late," she strips off her clothes and stands nude in the room as she chooses some clothes from my wardrobe.
In a few minutes she dressed in my checked skater skirt and a white crop top that Erik thought it would be fun for me to wear, pairing with my ankle boots. Her hair is straightened and makeup on point. She doesn't look like the couch potato I just found.
"See you later, ladies," she grabs my purse and her phone and leaves.
"Is she? Did she?"
"Yep,"
Staring at the mess she left behind, I made a mental note to clean it up after practice tonight.