To Call My Own

Chapter Twenty Four

"So how was your formal?" I asked Brynn.

Currently we were sitting in her room, listening to music and just talking about everything that's happened. She and her family had recently gotten back from their ski trip, meaning we had a lot to catch up on.

"It was honestly amazing. Plus Shea is like a really good dancer." She gushed, I smiled at how cute they plainly were. "Let me tell you, ever since you and West have gotten together he's so different. Like so much happier and literally smiles all the time." She told me, that statement brought a smile to my face.

"Anyways." I blushed, embarrassed of the topic that had suddenly come up. "How was Whistler?" I questioned.

"It was a lot of fun, but I wish I could have spent break here. This was our last winter break all together." She expressed, her tone seeming a little weighed down.

Brynn and I were alike in the way we viewed things. We were very sentimental people. And I think the underlying truth is that we were scared of change. We didn't want to grow up. I had finally found a place in my life where I was comfortable and happy, and I knew that soon that was going to be changing.

"We still have six months." I reminded her with a soft smile. She nodded.

"And it's going to be the best six months." She added giggling. "We should go find something for dinner." She said, motioning for me to follow her.

Brynn lived in a cute town home. It was just her and her parents since her brother went away to school in Toronto last year. We walked through a hall decorated in pictures of the four of them and some just of their children.

Her parents had went out for the evening for the anniversary so it was just the two of. Brynn began to rummage around the freezer looking for a pre-made meal to heat up for dinner.

"Looks like I've already used all those." She laughed, shaking her head.

"I don't mind cooking." I offered. She shook her head no. "Really."

"What's your specialty?" She questioned, finally giving into my offer.

"For dinner, veggie stir fry." I replied, thinking to what I would refer to as my specialty. I truthfully only had a few recipes that I would make for my family.

"Perfect, let's get started." She exclaimed, grabbing a pan.

It took the two of us way too long to cook dinner. Mainly because we kept goofing off and not paying attention to our task at hand. But at any rate, we managed to make a decent looking meal and enjoy the time spent preparing it.

After dinner and dishes, I decided to get going seeing as I had school the next day. I always enjoyed my time spent with Brynn. She was so easy going, sweet and easy to talk to. Plus, it seemed she always knew how to have a good time. Her and Felicity were a lot alike, but Brynn lacked a little of the crazy energy that Felicity always seemed to have.

It was a Thursday and it seemed that this week was dragging on but at the same time racing by. I suppose it was because of the arrangements we had made for Saturday. Saturday was the day that I couldn't get off my mind. It was the say we had picked to meet up with my father, and I was dreading to say the least. I was extremely worried about what might happen.

My mind was at ease a little knowing that it wouldn't just be Bea and I going. Although he is our father, its a been a long time and you never know what could happen. We also arranged to meet at a cafe, so it was going to be a public place. You can never be too sure about anything.

When I arrived I found mom and Bea both placed on the couch, eyes glued to the screen. I kicked off my boots and pulled off my jacket and threw it on the hook. I placed myself next to Bea, her eyes flicked over to me.

"How's Brynn doing?" She questioned, turning her attention away from the screen.

"She's doing pretty good." I smiled.

I suppose I couldn't imagine Brynn being anything but bubbly and happy. But according to West when they first met, Brynn was very timid and shy but over the years she came out of her shell and now we have the Brynn we all know and love.

Mom switched off the tv and made her way into the kitchen. I turned to Bea, the look on her face told me she knew exactly what we were going to be talking about. I knew the topic was eventually going to come up.

"I just feel like we need to talk through everything about Saturday." I stated, playing with the ring on my right hand.

"Honestly, I have no idea what to expect. Its been too long to even know what he's going to be like." She said thoughtfully, pondering over the memories that she had from her childhood.

"I know, but there a few things we need to talk about. I just want to know why, Bea." I admitted, trying to force down the tears threatening to spill out. She grabbed my hand in hers and gave it a squeeze.

"And we're going to try. I'm sure he has a million questions for us too. I mean, we are his daughters and it's been seven years." She replied, trying to force me to focus on the present rather than the past.

"You're right." I spoke, clearly my throat and head. "I guess I'm killing two birds with one stone by bringing West along." I chuckled, finally coming to the realization that it's completely possible that the meeting might go well. "I have hope everything will turn out."

"Me too. We just need to stay positive." Bea responded, taking in a deep breath. I nodded, she was right. The right mindset would work wonders for us in this situation. "I'm going to head up to bed. Love you." She said, standing up from her position.

"Love you." I called out as she left the room.

I decided to make myself go to bed as well. But as I lie there, I could tell that sleep wasn't going to come easy. Rather than just lie there I decided to get up and grab out and old photo album. In my head I've painted him out to be this monster, I thought that maybe trying to relive a few of these special moments might make me remember what I missed about this man.

The first photo I came across is when we went up to Edmonton to visit my moms family for a few weeks. They were silly pictures, some of them blurry. Us in the kitchen with my grandma or playing catch in the yard.

I found one that used to be my favourite family picture. We were all out during a winter storm building snowman, I couldnt have been any older than seven. The snowman was towering over me. I didn't remember who took the photo, but all I knew is we all looked happy, truely happy. It was an odd sensation to think about, the four of us together, happy.

Soon, I was so tired I could barely keep my eyes open. It was nearing two in the morning, and if I didn't get some sleep soon, my school day was going to be miserable.

All I had been able to dream about the past few days was my father. I'd have these dreams, but in reality it was more like a memory. But only more vivid than a memory, it played in my sleep like a movie. It was like I was there reliving everything. Some of the memories good, like camping in Banff. Some of them bad, the days leading up to his abrupt departure.

At any rate, the dreams made it difficult to get a full night of rest. I would be grateful when Saturday was over and I could have some peace of mind. Depending on that day, my life could be completely reshaped. Or, I could simply continue on as I had been doing for years. It all hinged on Saturday. I only hoped whatever happened, I wouldn't come away even more hurt and confused.

I awoke to the pounding of my alarm, causing me to groan over the four hours of sleep I was able to get. I went to the washroom to take a shower to try to wake myself up. When I got out I pulled on jeans and the Wolves hoodie that West had given me.

Already, I knew this day was going to drag on. I sleepily walked down the stairs to the kitchen where I found Bea contently sitting on the counter eating a doughnut. She acted happy and tough but I knew deep down she was just as unsettled as I was.

"One more day." I said, assuring myself soon this wait would be over.