Page 82 of Unwrapping Romance

“He can only do that if you let him. Jack, listen to me. I know he was a shitty father, and what he did to you is unforgivable, but at least he’s here. He may have abandoned you during the holidays, but he was always around the rest of the year.”

“I wish he wasn’t.”

“I know in your heart you don’t mean that.”

“Yes, Sierra, I do. Maybe that makes me a monster. I don’t care.”

“Uh, Mr. Atlas?” Gretchen walked into the living room. “I put Ellie to bed and read her a bedtime story. She’s out like a light.”

“Thank you, Gretchen.” I pulled some cash from my pocket and handed it to her. “Be careful walking home.”

“I live a few doors down. I’ll be fine, Mr. Atlas. Call me if you need me.”

“We better clean up,” I told Sierra. “And I don’t want to discuss anything further tonight. Understand?”

“Yes.” She nodded.

After we cleaned up, we headed upstairs to get ready for bed. The anger and rage were still there. Was my father that oblivious to what he’d done to me?

The following morning, I got up early, threw on a pair of sweatpants and a sweatshirt, and went for a walk. I was quiet enough not to wake up Sierra.

As I walked down the sidewalk, the snow crunched under my feet. Thoughts of my father consumed me, flooding back all my childhood memories. I walked to a coffee shop, grabbed a coffee, and continued walking. Where was I going? I had no idea. All I knew was that I needed space. My phone rang. Pulling it frommy pocket, Sierra was calling. I declined it and slipped my phone back into my pocket.

Entering Central Park, I walked the snowy path and sat on a bench, sipping my coffee. The sun was up, softening the crisp air, although I could still see my breath. Pulling my phone from my pocket, I dialed Daniel.

“Hey, Jack.”

“Can you meet me in Central Park?”

“When?”

“Now.”

“Are you okay?”

“Not really. I need to talk to my best friend.”

“I’m on my way. Drop a pin of where you’re at, and I’ll be there soon.”

“Thanks, Daniel.”

I wasn’t one to talk about things or how I felt, but I needed my friend. I knew he was the one person who would never abandon me.

“What’s going on?” Daniel walked up and sat beside me.

“My father and Gabriela have decided to move back to New York. They also canceled their wedding in Spain and are getting married here on New Year’s Eve.”

“What? When did that happen?” he asked in shock.

“He was at my house last night.”

“Shit. So, he met Ellie?”

“Yeah, and he wasn’t happy that I never told him about her. He went off on me like a madman, so I told him exactly how I felt.”

“Shit. How did that turn out?”

“He said he’d done nothing wrong, gave me a good life with no financial worries and a good education. I told him how I felt about him leaving me at boarding school and the reason I hatethe holidays so much. He became irate, told me to get some therapy, and stormed out.”

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