I shake my head, half annoyed, half amused. Yeah, sure it was because the full time, highest performing employee left. I look at Dad. He sinks into his seat with a resigned
expression.
“Can you please leave Joy? I need to talk to her alone. stop fu7cking this up.” He says in
an almost defeated voice.
I am confused how I am supposed to feel about my own dad. I am not happy that he
was sick when I wasn’t around. Is this why he looks so old now? So weak.
His voice. I realize. Oh my G7od even his voice has changed a little. I suddenly feel
guilty.
I am not at fault but I still feel guilty for not being around when he was sick….
When Joy finally leaves, I say, “I am sorry.. I didn’t know.”
“We had to suppress the news Sophie… When you left, so many board members were
not happy. I was sick already.. I am sorry I didn’t tell you or anyone. So when you left…” he
looks embarrassed.
“I didn’t realize you were gone for 2 weeks. Nobody told me. Nobody… When you didn’t
come for the family dinner that month… I finally noticed.” He has regret in his eyes.
Ever since I moved out, Dad made sure we catch up at least once a month. Although
Nikki gets a chance to dine with him every week. I ignore the resentment.
“Didn’t anybody report me missing at work? Are you saying if I would have been
kidnapped or murdered for good, No one would have noticed me?”
He looks at me with anger in his eye. But his anger is not directed at me.
“My exact thoughts…” He says bitterly. “Nikkie had taken over your work. She and Caleb
said they were looking for you and didn’t want to stress me out.”
Careful
He sighs.
“They were right about one thing. I couldn’t take the stress and had a stroke the
“What Caleb and Nikkie did to vou is not fair. And believe me. I will find a way to
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His voice. I realize. Oh my G7od even his voice has changed a little. I suddenly feel
guilty.
