A Call Ignored

The girls eyes widen as the words comes from my lips. Jennifer grasped them immediately “But I thought he left your mom just before you turned ten years old?”

“He did and until today we haven’t heard nor seen a single word from him!” Inside I was becoming a confused mess, wondering just what he wanted after all this time. Eight years and I can remember the night he left, a night like last night, warm and humid when the heated words shattered the air followed by a slamming door.When Aaron and me got up we found mom at the table in the clothes she wore the previous day, her eyes red from crying.

“Daddy’s job has taken him to Europe!” She told us “He’s sorry he couldn’t tell you himself but his flight was to leave at midnight!” That’s the last thing we knew of him, until tonight!

Melissa, only been my friend for the last three years so she never knew my dad or even seen a picture of him. “So what your dad like, is he a handsome as Aaron?” Before I could say anything Jennifer clipped her in the back of the head

“Jesus can you think of anything else besides how guys looks?” shaking her head, then taking my hand leading me into the house “Chely, what say we watch more music videos

I just get down in the rec room when the phone starts to trill. Looking to the display i see ‘Evergreen Motel’ and the number, so the bastard is in the city is he! Pressing talk “Hello?”

“Can I speak to Aaron or Michelle Nickelson please!”

“This is Aaron speaking and who is this?” I knew but I wanted to see if he had the guts to say it!

“It’s me, your father!”

“Oh I’m sorry you must have the wrong number, my father died eight years ago!” Hoping he would take the hint

“Okay I deserve that but you don’t have the whole story about why I left you and Michelle like I did!” A pause then “I don’t suppose I could come and tell you both in person why I left?”

“Well I for one would like to know why but I’ll have to ask Chely if she wants you here before I’ll say yes!” I don’t even think about who’s on the line when I press the intercom button.

Silence then “Hello?”

“Hey Chely dad wants to know if he can come over to tell us why he abandoned us and mom!” Through the handset I hear the emotion in her voice then “Does he have too?” That tell me all I need to know, and i cut the call returning to dad telling him that it wasn’t a good time then hanging up.

I thought that was it, putting it out of my mind, until an hour later when a steady knocking came to the front door. Chely coming down the front stairs, me coming up the basement stairs, Chely making the front door a few seconds before me. Reaching out to the curtain, pulling it aside then gasping. I move her away and slowly turn the deadbolt lock, opening the door a crack

“What part of now’s not a good time didn’t you understand?” Dad standing there a sheepish look on his face

“Please Aaron I want you and your sister to know my side of the story!”

Turning to Chely,seeing her trembling, my mind made up instantly. Turning back to the door “I suggest you leave before I call the police and have them escort you off my property!”