Page 65 of When Love Becomes A Need
We passed the dishes around the table and all ate. The food actually smelled good.At least Heather could cook.Ahmad and my dad engaged in small talk while I sat there eating my food. The rest of the table would join in their conversation, but for the most part, they were quiet too.
“It’s been a long time since we last saw you,sis,” DJ, the oldest, said. I could hear the sarcasm in his voice.
It was wild how much he looked like our dad.
“DJ,” my dad warned.
“What? I’m just saying, I don’t get why you were so pressed about her being here when she obviously doesn’t care about being a part of this family.”
“DJ, stop! That’s still your sister,” Heather scolded.
“She doesn’t act like it,” he mumbled.
“I’m glad you’re here, Fatima,” Jalen said. I smiled at him.
“You look good, Jalen. How old are you now?”
“Nine.”
“We almost done with this?” DJ asked.
I cut my eyes at him.
“Fatima, how have things been going for you?” My dad jumped in, changing the subject.
“Good, Dan.”
“I would really like it if you would call me dad.”
I snorted. “We both know that you don’t even deserve that. My mom’s husband will get called ‘dad’ before I say it to you again.”
“You’re still mad that he left your mom for ours?” I had to take a few deep breaths to calm myself down. I really wanted to tell his smart mouth ass off, but I knew he was in his feelings about me being MIA. Just like I was holding on to ill feelings, he was too. I knew I was wrong for shutting my brothers out because they didn’t do anything to me.
“DJ!” Heather and my dad both yelled.
“Actually, DJ, I’m not mad that he left my mom for yours because her new husband makes her happier than he did. Your father didn’t just leave my mom though; he also left his only daughter.”
“Fatima, I know I hurt you, but I’m trying to make up with you. I want you and your brothers to get closer. I want you to start coming around more, and I want you to be a part of this family.”
“I’m not fifteen, Dan. I’m a grown woman that’s past the stage of needing my dad in my life. Your family is already set.”
“Fatima, please just consider it. Your dad really misses you,” Heather interjected.
I looked at her with my mouth turned up. “Aren’t you the one that broke our family up in the first place? I don’t need you commenting on anything that has to do with me.”
“Fatima—"
“Dan, look, y’all can say what you want, but at the end of the day, you left my life for more than five years then tried to come back like things were supposed to be sunshine and rainbows. Then you make a sad attempt to be a part of my life after that when you should have just stayed gone.”
“I tried to be there, but you kept pushing me away.”
“Why would I let you in when you already let me down once? Just because you sent birthday cards or Christmas gifts didn’t make up for the fact that you weren’t there. Every holiday my brothers had you there, every birthday you were there, every school event you were there! I made the cheerleading team in high school and were you ever at one game to watch me? No! You weren’t, so no one can speak to me about letting anything go because you didn’t give a damn about me. OnceHeathergot here, you stopped being my dad.
“For years, I suffered issues when it came to being in a relationship and letting someone get close to me because I was scared they would leave me like you did. I’m twenty-four years old and just now allowed myself to fall in love with someone because of the damage you caused in my life. So, before all of you sit here and try and tell me how I should feel, maybe you should consider how the hell my life was affected by Dan’s decisions.” I paused and looked at my brothers.
“I have no issue getting to know the both of you. At first, I was envious of you two for having him in your life, but I don’t even care anymore. I turned out great without him. I have my own business now. I have five photography gigs booked, and I met a great guy without him being in my life. DJ, I know you have some ill feelings because I shut you out. I’m sorry I wasn’t a better sister to you and that I let my anger with Dan interfere with us, but hopefully we can move past it. I love both you and Jalen, but I don’t want anything to do with your dad or mother.” I pushed my chair back and stood up.
I looked over at Ahmad, who had been quiet the whole time. “Come on.” I wiped the angry tears from my eyes with the back of my hand.
