Part Five
“What was he thinking?” I seethed while trudging down the abandoned street. "It's not even like he had to lie," I continued to fume, realizing that Ian wasn't the person who I had thought he was. Now he was gone, all because he chose to keep the secret of his faith in God. It seemed just like yesterday when everything had been perfect, or so I had thought. Already, my life appeared to be on the decline while roots of bitterness entwined my heart.Within seconds, a wave of fury swept over me as an aggravated cry escaped from my lips. Using my rage, I kicked a tin can and stood there, watching it as it crashed into a nearby trash bin.
“Just breathe, Lexie! Inhale, exhale,” I admonished myself, knowing that I had to calm down before I did something I would come to regret.
It was then that I became aware of the vibration in my pocket. Grabbing my phone, I glanced at the caller ID, my eyes widening. “What in the world?" I growled through gritted teeth, debating whether or not to answer it. With hesitation, I slid my finger across the screen, accepting the incoming call. “You have five. Use it wisely.”
“Hey, Sweetie,” my dad exclaimed, seeming unfazed by my blunt greeting. “How’s it going?”
“What do you want?” I ground out, clenching my backpack strap tightly.
He chuckled softly, seeming amused by my brash behavior. “Lexie, can’t I call my own daughter every now and then?”
“No,” I answered deadpan.
It was then that a soft intake of breath came from his end of the line before he continued, “So how’s senior year? Keeping up your grades, I hope!”
I replied, “I’m sorry, but is this your version of small talk? In fact, is there a particular reason why you called?”
“Well,” he drawled out, “I was going to see if you wanted to meet me and have lunch. I have something I have been meaning to talk—“
“Uh-uh,” I interrupted before he could finish.
A brief silence filled the air. “Lexie, please," he sighed, "I’m really trying here!”
I exclaimed, tired of playing this game, “Then do yourself a favor and stop!”
“Lexie, I—“
“No, Dad!” I snapped, hostility brewing within. “Do you realize that when you left Mom, you left me as well?"
"I didn't leave you guys!" he began to say firmly. "Your mother and I agreed that it would be best if we separated."
"Dad, the key word here is L-E-F-T," I interjected bluntly.
I could envision him narrowing his eyes as he replied, "No, I mean separated. Lexie, we surely needed a break, just long enough to figure things out."
"Do you mean time away from Mom, to see if you still love her?"
"No! I will always love your mom! She is—"
"Then why did you leave?" I whispered.
He sighed, hurt consuming his words, "Sweetie, what must I say to make you understand that I didn't leave you?"
I fell silent, tears threatening to spill from the corners of my eyes, feeling as though my exterior wall was beginning to crumble.
"Lexie," Dad spoke softly, as if afraid to break the silence. "Honey, just give me a chance. I promise everything will be okay. God's abundant grace will help us pull through this trial! You'll see."
It took only a total of two seconds for his words to register, possibly softening my heart. "You know what, Dad?" I asked in a tired tone. "I actually have to go. So, umm, g-goodbye."
"Okay, Sweetie. Remember, I love you, and so does God," he said sincerely.
Upon hearing those words, I bit my lip before saying quietly, "Yeah, I know." And that was the end of our conversation. I took a deep breath, pushed open the back door to my house and was welcomed by the smell of fried chicken.
My mom greeted me with, "Hey, Sweet Pea! You will never guess who I ran into—" Stopping in mid-sentence, she caught sight of my countenance and asked with concern filling her eyes, "What's wrong?"
I debated whether or not I should tell her. With my mind made up, I gave a half smile, raised my phone and waved it slightly. "Dad just called me."
Instantly, true understanding surfaced. Cautiously, she approached me, wrapping her loving arms around me, and we stood there hugging each other. For once, for the first time in a very long time, something felt normal.
