The first night.

After cleaning up the debris, I start to make my way upstairs. This didn't go the way I wanted, but it was a good day. I suppose I'm just glad to have my daughter back home.

As I pass by Amber's room I hear the two girls talking. "Your dad seems great, why did you seem so nervous on the drive up here?" Hanna's hushed voice almost seems to tiptoe it's so soft.

"I don't know. It's just... I feel awkward around him. After I left for school, I kinda went low-contact in hopes that the time away would make the weird feeling pass, but... being back, I realize it hasn't. Then, to add to it, I completely forgot to warn him that you were staying over."

"Awkward? Why? Is it because he's not really your dad?"

"I guess? I mean, he's my real dad to me, because he's the only one I've ever had, but... it's hard to describe, you know?"

"Girl, I'm glad I don't know. But, I think I get it. Still, what are you going to tell him?"

"What, that my best friend isn't just staying the night, but, hopefully, all of Summer break? That I thought it'd been decided that you were going to stay for 3 months. God, why do I have to be like this?"

"Amber, Amber, it's alright. Like I said before, your dad seems like he's a great guy. I'm sure that everything will turn out fine."

"Yeah, you're probably right, but... I still feel bad. My dad hasn't seen me in like, forever, and he was obviously looking forward to me being home, and instead of, well, anything he planned, I pop in with my unannounced best friend, and..." I can tell by her voice that, if she isn't crying, she's near to tears. I almost knock on the door when I hear Hanna.

"Hey, hey, none of that. It's going to be fine, baby, I'm sure all of this is going to work out." Baby? An odd thing to call your friend, but girls do tend to get close. I start to take a step back, when I hear Amber shush her friend.

"Hey, watch the gooey talk. What if my dad heard you? He can't know that we're-"

"What? Dating? Friends with benefits? What are we?" By the sound of Hanna's voice, this seems like an old conversation.

"I still don't know, okay? But I don't want to risk upsetting my dad, so can we not... do this now? Here?"

By the silence, I know that my time has come. I wait just a few more seconds, then knock. "Amber? I'd like to talk now."