CALL ME

CALL ME
RICHARD

I spent roughly an hour plus with the doctor before finally stepping out of his office. Tracy was sitting in the hallway and quickly got up when she saw me step out.

“Father,” she began nervously. She had eye bags from crying and the sleepless night from watching her mother alone for days. Her hair was rough and unkempt. I doubt she's washed it in days. It still breaks my heart that she didn't contact me sooner.

Why did she think she couldn't?

“What did he say about Mother's condition? How bad is it?”

I sighed, running a hand through my hair. The doctor said a lot. Something about the bones becoming terminally weak. Could lead to paralysis. Could also lead to losing her sight and becoming an invalid and stuff.

They all sounded serious but they also sounded like she needed more experienced health practitioners taking care of her.

This mid-class Pack and doctors would kill her faster than she should die.

“Father?” Tracy tugged at my hand. “Please tell me. What did the doctor say?"

“All I can promise you dear, is that I'm gonna get your mother the best treatment ever. Tomorrow, I'll send some people to pick her up. They'll fly her to the foreign Packs and she'll have the best doctors taking care of her.”

She smiled, amidst her tears. “Thank you so much, Father.”

She left my hand but this time, it was me who held hers. Her hand was so cold that I couldn't help but give it a warm squeeze.

“Hunnie, how about we go grab some coffee and talk?” I requested gently. She didn't even give it a thought.

“No,” she shook her head just about the same second, taking my grip off her hand.

Her rejection sent a sharp pain through my heart. “Why not?”

“Father, after everything that's happened, I know I've lost the right to be close to you, or even call you Father. I know that and I know it's all my fault. I also know I'm never gonna get back in Elena's good graces, and I've accepted that. I'm fine, I swear it. I just need Mother to be healed. I can accept living with just her all my life. So you don't really need to stress about me. The fact that you're willing to sponsor her treatment means so much to me already. And that's more than enough.”

“But tell me, dear,” I held her hand again, firmly this time, so she wouldn't easily take my grip off. “Just this one time. Please be honest with me.”

"Sure, Father."

“Did you ever genuinely love Elena? I mean, growing up. Did you ever see her as family, without the extra envy and bitterness?”

“Of course, Father. She was my only sister and I loved her. I really did. Growing up, she spoiled me a lot. She would literally give me anything I wanted. Too bad, I got greedy. I wanted more. I wanted her life. I wanted to be someone's number one girl, someone's favorite girl just as she was to you and to Trent, and then to Uncle Vince. But then I just realized I'm my mother's number one girl. She's the only one who's ever gonna give me that love. That's why I need her to be alive.”

I couldn't hold back the urge anymore so I tried hugging her. She wouldn't let me at first. She was sobbing bitterly and wouldn't let me hug her.

But I went ahead and wrapped my large arms around her petite body and she eventually melted in my arms. Her sobs were unending as she clung tightly to me.

My poor little girl.

I caressed her hair gently. “I'm sorry if you never understood how much I loved you. Maybe I wasn't speaking your love language. But baby, you weren't such an ethically perfect daughter. You were wild, unethical, and fun. But I never tried changing you into becoming like Elena. I never pressured you to be business-smart or take the pack duties seriously or get perfect A’s in school. Instead, I let you live your party life and even sponsored most of them. That was my way of telling you that I didn't need two Elenas. I needed an Elena and a Tracy. I loved you the way you were. I'm really sorry you never saw my love for what it truly meant.”

She held me tighter, bawling her eyes out. The regret in those cries broke me to bits. I was spilling tears too.

“I'm so sorry, Father.” She eventually spewed those heart-wrenching apologies. And honestly, that's all I needed to hear.

Eventually, we both calmed down and she walked me to my car.

“Are you sure you're comfortable in that house you're staying in?” I asked for the umpteenth time. “Or this Pack. I'll be moving back home soon. Back to our Pack. You can come with me.”

She smiled but shook her head. “I'm genuinely okay here, Father. I promise you.”

“Alright. But I'm gonna ask my lawyer to generously fund your account. You're still my daughter and I can't have you living out here penniless.”

“Thanks, Father.” She was smiling but holding back so many tears.

I couldn't help but give her one more tight hug.

“Take care of yourself. Call me if you need anything. Call your Father if you need anything at all. Do you hear me, Tracy? Call me. CALL ME.”

“I will. Thanks, Father.”

I broke the hug quickly and got into the car before I might end up bawling my eyes out.

She waved at me until my car sped into the street. Leaving her here was breaking my heart to shit but then again, I understand why she doesn't wanna come with me yet.

Hopefully, someday, she'll be back home and she just might fix her relationship with Elena. It sounds impossible but I'm never gonna stop hoping for it.