"We've survived worse champ," dad said, squeezing my shoulder.
I turned from him, my heart heavy. Tears threatened to escape my eyes.
"Come on, don't give me the cold shoulder."
"I don't want you to go. Can't I come with you?"
He shook his head. "I'm lucky to get this job, and I'm rooming with a few guys. I told you Zoe, they're not the kind of guys I want you to be around."
"Then why are you going to be around them?"
"I'm doing what I have to do to support us. Just trust me, okay?"
I nodded. "When am I leaving?"
"Rob will be here to pick you up any minute now."
I checked my bags, I had everything I'd need. "And this is only temporary right, until you get a place of your own?"
"You'll be the first person I call."
The doorbell rang, and I looked at my dad. He answered the door and a younger man stepped in.
"Hey Rob," dad said, with a smile.
"Hey Charles," Rob answered.
"Rob, I'd like you to meet my daughter, Zoe."
I extended my hand and shook his. His grasp was firm, and he had a smile that looked natural on him.
"Ready to go?" Rob asked.
I nodded, and dad wrapped me in his arms. I hugged him with all my might, never wanting to let him go.
"I love you," I said, as dad released me.
"I love you more. I'll call you when I get there bud."
I kissed his cheek and grabbed my duffel bag, Rob had already taken my others out to the car.
"Bye," I whispered, giving him one last quick hug.
"Missing you already," he called, as I got into the passenger seat of Rob's car.
I waved to him until I couldn't see him anymore, and then I leaned back in the seat. I pulled my pillow pet out of my duffel and curled up with Chloe, my Triceratops.
"So tell me a little about yourself," Rob said.
"Well I'm sixteen, and I dance."
"Dance eh? There's a dance team at North Lake. JV or varsity?"
"I was on varsity at my old high school."
"Then I'm sure you'll have no problem making varsity at North Lake. They're a pretty decent team."
"So tell me about yourself and your family," I said, cuddling Chloe. I took a sip of my diet coke.
"Well, I'm married. My wife's name is Emma. I have seven sons."
I choked and sputtered. "You have what?"
He smiled. "Yes, I have seven sons."
"Wow." I felt my face turning red from embarrassment.
He reached into his wallet and pulled out a picture.
I looked at his family. It was picture of them at the park. They looked like one of those perfect, cliché families that you see in cheesy pictures that come with a photo frame.
"What are their names?" I asked. I couldn't take my eyes off the kid in the middle. He looked like a Hollister model. Well, they all did, but he looked like absolute perfection.
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Living with the Walker Boys | PREVIEW ONLY
Teen FictionCompleted. Zoe Baker is 16. She and her father have always been close, he's the only person she's ever trusted. Then, Zoe's father has to move to Wyoming. Worse off, he doesn't have the money to bring Zoe with him. He sends Zoe to live with a friend...