Page 28 of Entwined

“Where were you thinking?”

“The UK—maybe England?” My palms sweat. I can’t look him in the eye. I miss Exmoor, Simone and I want to get back. I never gave London much of a chance anyway. How could I when I was tripping on my heart. But I remember how excited I was to be there; wanting to see everything.

My father raises his eyebrows, “That’s expensive kiddo.”

“I know,” I sigh, “it’s just a thought.”

He covers my hand with his, “Is that what it’ll take to see the light come back in your eyes? Going to college in London?”

“It’s my dream.”

“Go. I’ll work it out with your mother. The house is paid off and I still have the money I had put aside to cover your tuition here. It’ll get you started.”

“Really?”

“Really. Don’t you know I’d do anything for you?”

I swallow hard, trying not to cry. If he ever found out the truth about what happened to me—it would destroy him. I get up, rounding the table to give him a hug. I’m surprised as he follows me to the door, pulling on his thick work boots.

“Dad?”

“It’s been awhile since we worked together. Mind if I tag along? I want to see this boat you’ve been slaving away on.”

“I’d like that,” I smile softly as the door shuts behind us.

“The faster we get it back in the water, the faster we can get you to London. We should call some colleges over there today… find out when the Spring Semester starts, maybe we can get you in.”

“That’s going to be hard. I probably have to fill out mountains of paperwork, write essays, figure out which classes will transfer from here…”

“Since when have you ever backed away from something hard?”

“Never. And I hope I never do. You’re my hero, Dad. I wish I could be just like you.”

He stops walking, swiping tears from his eyes. “I love you so much. Just promise me you’ll be happy? I know you don’t want to talk about Greece… your accident but you need to sweetheart. You can’t lock your emotions away. They’ll start eating your insides like a cancer.”

I nod, “I just can’t. It’s too painful. I just want to move forward.”

“Okay. Then I’ll help you do that.”

We reach the boatyard. “There she is. My ‘fixer upper.’ Isn’t she grand?”

He whistles. “She’s looking good. What else does she need?”

“Besides, a new fuel pump and a prayer?” I joke, “The engine room is a mess.”

“I’ll start there then.”

“Sounds like a plan. I need to grab the parts that came in last night… oh Dad?”

“Yeah?”

“You’re the best dad in the world.”

“I know,” he sighs, “Let’s get this girl in the water and you where you need to be.”

I grin, it feels good to not only have a plan but unload what I’ve been keeping in. I need to leave again. My future isn’t here in California, I’m just glad Dad understands.

It took about a month to sort out, but here I am again looking out the plane window as we taxi down the runway catching air.

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