Accidental Meeting (Accidental Hook-Up 3)

It’s sweet, and kept the attention of the press for a while, but now as always the world has moved on and there is another story getting the focus. Thank God. I didn’t like being examined quite so closely.

“Hey, Dad. How’s it going?” I take a seat opposite him. It’s weird to be so at ease with everyone, but it’s nice too. That’s the one good thing to come from all of this. My secrets are out, they are no longer trapped inside of me, and I have my family back. In a weird way, but it’s good enough for me. “All good?”

“Yeah all is good. How are things with you?”

I nod slowly, trying to think of the best way to answer this. “All is okay, thank you.”

That’s only a half lie. Things are alright I suppose. I’m doing okay. I tried to give my mother’s money back since I don’t need it to be quiet anymore. I wanted her to be able to start her own life with it, but she refused. I don’t think she needs it. I’m pretty sure my grandfather, who I have only met a few times, a number that I can count on one hand, I guess he still isn’t totally over the past, is keeping her going so it’s fine.

Because of that, I haven’t found myself a job yet. I want my next position to be something meaningful, that I actually care about. I don’t just want to waste away more years hiding. I don’t have to anymore.

But life is good. It’s okay. It isn’t great… oh, who am I kidding? I’m still lonely as anything. Even more so than before. Stephen and my other work colleagues vanished along with the job. They stuck around for a bit but it didn’t last. It couldn’t. Work was really the main thing that we had in common.

But it isn’t them that I miss. Not really. It’s Tia.

God, I hate to admit that, it’s absolutely insane, but it’s the truth. Even after all this time, six long months since my mother was rescued and I saw her, just before I sent her away forever, I’m still thinking about her. I can’t seem to help myself. I’m still a drug addict, and even though I have cut off the source, I still crave her.

I’m an idiot. That’s the truth of it. I’m a love sick fool who can’t let go.

I guess it doesn’t help that one of my romantic notions came true. The things that I have fantasized about when it comes to my parents are now a strange reality. It makes it seem possible that Tia and I could be.

But we can’t be. I made that decision and I sent her away. I told her that I didn’t want her with that simple head shake and I meant it, I really did. I figured that I was done with her.

Who would have thought that a few months later I would still be obsessed?

“Well, that’s good.” Dad nods. “But you don’t sound happy. You don’t even sound content.”

I force a smile onto my face. “I’m doing good, Dad, honestly. It’s just been a long week.”

He and Mom share a knowing look before he turns back to me. “If it’s about the girl…”

“Urgh, it isn’t about the girl. I wish I hadn’t ever told you about that.”

It was a moment of weakness in which I let my guard slip. I confessed my feelings to Dad and he has continued to bring them up ever since. He even tells me that it isn’t her fault the picture of me got made public, that someone else took credit for it, but that doesn’t change the potential damage it could have done.

“You know, I saw that movie she was in,” Mom joins in. “She really is very good. Beautiful too.”

“Yeah, I definitely didn’t come here to talk about Tia.” I roll my eyes. “So, if we could just change the subject.”

“No, I think that we need to talk about her. I’m pretty sure there’s something here we need to discuss…”

“Mom, please just leave it. That was a long time ago now. It’s over.”

“It isn’t though, is it? Because you haven’t moved on, have you?” she replies in a smug tone.

“You two aren’t exactly role models for romance, are you? It took you years.”

“We made it in the end though, didn’t we?”

“Right, well this has been enlightening.” I rest my hands on my knees and push myself in to a standing position. “But I’m done here, I have places that I need to be right now.”

“Oh, you don’t have to leave right now!” Mom protests. “I could make some dinner.”

“No, thank you.” I shake my head violently. “I have places to be.”

“Places to be?” Mom shakes her head. “No, stay here with us. Have dinner.”