Page 47 of Chase

“Help me understand then?”

“I can’t,” he looks away from me.

“Why not, do I not deserve to know the truth?”

“Yasmin, I’m your father, I’m not arguing with you about this. When did you speak to Nat?” his hurt has been replaced with anger.

“Last weekend. I’m dating Chase.” There is really no point hiding it from him. He’ll find out eventually. May as well be from me.

“That was quick.” A look of disgust flashes in his eyes and my stomach drops. Is he really insinuating what I think he is?

“What’s that supposed to mean?” I spit out, letting all my hurt and anger out with the words.

“It means maybe you are more like your mother than I thought. Drinking, partying, dating a guy you’ve known less than two weeks.”

I jump up, and my chair falls to the ground with a thud. “You have no right speaking to me like that. You can’t be absent my entire life and then all of a sudden decide you want to be a parent. It doesn’t work like that. Since when do you drink whiskey at five in the afternoon?” I yell. “For the record, I’ve known Chase longer than two weeks. Are you forgetting we spent the first 4 years of our lives together? Chase, Nat and all of their friends have been nothing but nice and welcoming. They’ve quickly become the family that both Millie and I have craved.” I start pacing the room. I’m shaking and furious at him.

“They have gone to huge lengths to make sure I’m okay. You know why I need someone to make sure I’m okay, Dad?” I question, I can’t keep the venom from my voice. I guess if it is all going to hell, I may as hammer the final nail in the coffin. I don’t think there is any coming back from this. Not after he just insinuated I was an easy alcoholic. He doesn’t respond.

“It’s okay, no need to guess. I’ll just tell you because it’s not like anything will change. I’m diabetic, Dad. I have been for years. I’ve barely managed to keep it under control, until we moved here that is. I met these people, and they took me in. Looked after me when I passed out at school and they’ve been helping me get it managed. Nat has even organised for me to meet with a specialist to learn more about the disease. The things that you should’ve been doing for me.”

He turns to look at me. “Why didn’t you tell me?”

“Would it have changed anything? You should’ve been around to notice.”

He doesn’t say anything to me. He looks away.

“I’m not going to stand here and let you take your shit out on me. I’ll come back later to get some clothes for Millie and I. We aren’t staying here while you are behaving like this.”

“You can’t leave Yasmin. I forbid it.” He says to my retreating back.

“You’re five years too late dad, I don’t care what you say. You can’t stop me from leaving.” I don’t wait for his response. I’m out the door, across the street, and knocking on Chase’s door before the first tear hits my cheek.

The minute he answers, I fall into his arms. He holds me tight and moves us to the couch while I let the tears fall.

“What happened?” Mumma Nat asks from beside me. She’s rubbing my back, soothing me.

“He’s an asshole. He pretty much just accused me of being exactly like my mother because I went to a party last night and am dating a guy I’ve known for less than two weeks.” I continue to sob into Chase’s chest.

“Unbelievable,” Nat gasps.

“I yelled at him. Told him about my diabetes and that he can’t decide to be a parent now. I told him I was going to take Millie with me next year, because I’m not leaving her alone here if he is going to keep working stupid hours and avoiding being at home, I’ll get a job, two if I need to, to help support us. He knows about my diabetes now. I don’t want to go back. He’s drinking.” My words tumble out quick between sobs.

“I’m going to talk to him.” Nat says firmly.

“You don’t have to do that Nat. You haven’t seen him in fourteen years.”

“I do. Because a father should never talk to his daughter like that. He needs a wake-up call and I’m going to deliver it. It might be fourteen years too late, but I’ve got to try. I’ll grab yours and Millie’s uniforms while I’m there. You can stay here tonight while he cools off.”

“Thank you,” I choke out. The emotions strangle me. Nat is behaving like an overprotective parent. This is what it feels like to have a mum.

“You’re welcome darling girl.” She gives me a kiss on the top of my head and disappears. I kind of wish I was a fly on the wall for that conversation. Dad has no idea what is about to come through his door.

Chase holds me until my tears subside.

“Do you want to talk about it?” He asks quietly.

I shake my head in response.

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