Page 133 of Fierce-Hyde

She got to her father’s house forty minutes later. The house he lived in when she was a kid.

It didn’t look as if anything changed other than it was maintained.

She parked her car and took a deep breath before she got out, then walked to the front stairs and rang the bell.

A second later the door was opened by a woman.

“Tori? I’m Shelly. It’s so nice to meet you.”

“You too,” she said, putting her hand out, but Shelly pulled her in for a hug. She hadn’t been expecting this.

“Can we talk out here first? I mean I’m sure you might need the restroom or something. That is rude of me to not let you in.”

“It’s fine,” she said. “I can wait.”

Shelly shut the door and they moved to the chairs on the porch. It was sixty out and the sun was shining.

“I’m so glad you made the trip,” Shelly said. “I’ve wanted your father to reach out to you more than a text for years. I didn’t even know he had a daughter until three years ago.”

She snorted. “Not surprising. We haven’t had much of a relationship as you can tell. Not sure why. It sort of fell into this. Though when I saw him as a kid, we didn’t do much.”

They didn’t even talk all that much when she stayed at his house. It was like two strangers just sharing quarters and having meals.

She’d always felt as if her father was distant and she knew that was a big issue her mother had.

“He said that,” Shelly said. “That he never felt as if he was father material.”

“That doesn’t mean you just forget someone is in your life,” she said.

“I know that. I told him that. We haven’t had a lot of fights in our marriage. I understand the type of person he is and he understands me. We do a lot of things apart and then together. It works for us.”

“I’m happy for you,” she said dryly.

Shelly laughed. “You sound like your father when you talk like that.” Shelly’s eyes filled with tears. “I’m sorry. This is a lot for us and I’m sure more for you.”

“I don’t know what it is. I honestly didn’t think I was going to come. I’ve gone so long without him in my life and don’t know what this is going to do for either of us.”

“I know that,” Shelly said. “He actually said the same words. He didn’t want to upset your world.”

“He said that?” she said. “He cared enough about it?”

“He’s human,” Shelly said. “That is where it’s coming from. Whether he was the father of the year isn’t up for debate. Weknow he’s not. But for both of you, this visit might be a good thing.”

“I don’t know,” she said. “I’m not holding onto any grand reunion and can’t even promise not to piss him off.”

“He doesn’t get mad often, but he won’t this time. I think he’s just resigned to things. And he knows I’m out here saying things about him and he won’t be happy. Come in, please.”

They both stood up and went into the house.

Her father was sitting in a chair and stood up. He was exactly as she remembered him only older. Less hair and what was there was white and he had wrinkles scattered on his face.

He was thinner than she remembered too and knew that had something to do with him having cancer.

“Tori,” his father said. “Come in, have a seat. You’ve grown into a beautiful adult.”

“Thanks,” she said. He didn’t come toward her for a hug, not even to touch her hand.

She wouldn’t make that move either.

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