Ch. 14: Blindsided

(Photo Above: Makayla's Childhood Home)

Turning off the ignition, I take a deep breath before getting out of the car. It's just one dinner. I can survive one dinner. Even if it is with dad and his perky, young girlfriend. Okay, she's only a few years younger, but still. I look up at my childhood home. So much has changed over the years, but the house has never stopped being comforting to me, like a security blanket. A wave of sadness washes over me when I glance at the two rocking chairs on the porch. My mom always used to talk about growing old and sitting out there with my dad. It feels wrong to think of my dad and Melanie sharing that moment together someday.

Walking up the pathway, I hear a car alarm go off. I turn around at the noise, spotting someone hiding behind one of the other vehicles parked down the street. I don't know what to think at first. A pit begins to form in my stomach when the person stands up and looks in my direction. I try to get a good look at their face, but the black hoodie they have on blocks my view. My blood runs cold when I see whoever it is move towards me. I practically sprint up the steps, reaching the front door in seconds. Fumbling for my keys, I can hear feet pounding against the pavement. Unlocking the front door, I slam it shut, just as the person reaches the front step. I lock it instantly, hiding behind the door. My heart is in my throat, as I hear the hooded figure jiggling the doorknob. I'm about to scream for help when suddenly everything stops. Peering into the doors' peephole, I see the person walking back down the pathway and to a parked black van on the other side of the street. My breathing only starts to slow down, as I watch the car disappear down the road and out of sight. What the hell just happened?

"Makayla, is that you?"

I hear my dad's voice before I see him. I slowly make my way towards the living room, setting my coat and bag down on the couch. My dad pops his head out from the kitchen. Once he sees me, I barely manage a hello before I'm being pulled into a hug. I stand still for a moment before hugging my dad back. No matter how strained of a relationship we have, I always know that my dad's hugs can make me feel better.

"I heard the door slam. You know we don't slam doors in this house." My dad starts to lecture me but stops. "Honey, are you okay? You're shaking like a leaf?" he asks, growing concerned by the second.

I go to tell him everything before pausing. If I tell him, he'll have his police buddies over here before I'm done explaining. There isn't a point; I never got a look at the person's face. I saw a black van, but no plates. If that car alarm hadn't gone off, I wouldn't have even noticed them. All I would end up doing is giving my dad a heart attack.

"Yeah, sorry dad. It's just a little colder tonight that I expected. Probably should have worn a heavier jacket." I reassure him. He stares at me for another moment longer before sighing.

"It's alright. Why don't you come sit down? Dinner is ready. I couldn't find my apron, so Melanie made lasagna instead. No point grilling without my lucky apron," dad says chuckling. I roll my eyes at him and laugh. Good. That apron should never see the light of day again. I follow my dad into the kitchen to find Melanie pulling the lasagna out of the oven. She turns around once she sees me, and smiles. I force the best smile that I can.

"Makayla! Perfect timing. It's so nice to see you! I hope lasagna is okay? Your dad told me it's your favorite," she says. I nod, thanking her and her smile widens.

"Of course! Anyway, you can go sit at the table with your dad; I'll bring everything out," Melanie finishes, carrying the salad and basket of garlic bread to the dining room table.

"Are you sure? I can help," I offer.

She waves me off with a smile, assuring me she's got it. I curse myself in my head, as I take a seat at the table. Why does she have to be so nice? It would be so much easier to hate her if she was a complete bitch. My dad and I make small talk about school and his job before Melanie comes back, and we start dinner. We sit in comfortable silence, the only sounds of utensils hitting the plates and chimes from the grandfather clock in the corner of the room. Halfway through dinner, dad clears his throat.

"So, Makayla, the reason I wanted you to come over tonight, is that Mel and I have an announcement to make," my dad says.

Nodding for him to go on, I barely register what he says; my mind mostly focused on the food right in front of me.

"We're getting married!" Melanie squeals in excitement. In the span of a few moments, my entire world came crumbling down. I drop my fork in shock, hearing it clatter to the floor, but not paying it any mind. All my attention is on the shiny diamond resting on Melanie's finger.

"I'm sorry, could you repeat that? I don't think I heard you guys right?" I question, hoping I misheard them.

"Mel and I are getting married. Honey, I know this might come as a shock to you, but-" I don't let him finish.

"Are you out of your mind? Dad! You can't get married." I try not to yell. He's known this woman for a year!

"Makayla, I know this must be a lot to take in, but I love your father very much. I love you, as well. I'm hoping in time that maybe you will love me too." Melanie says, trying to ease the tension.

"You love me? You barely know me! The same could be said for you and my dad." I reply, practically spitting the words out. How the hell could she say she loves me? During college breaks, I try my best to avoid her. The times I couldn't get out of hanging out with her were okay, I guess, but not enough to form a real bond! Obviously, she's either bat shit crazy, or trying to look good in front of my dad.

"Sweetie, I do care about you. This is all new for me too! I've never had a daughter." Melanie replies. I feel my hands tightening into fists under the table, and my breathing is getting heavier. I've been trying my best not to make a scene, but it's no use.

"Excuse me? Okay, let's get one thing straight. I am not YOUR daughter! You're not my mom! If anything, you're just a cheap replacement from the real thing," I shout, knowing what I'm saying is cruel, but not caring enough to stop. I immediately regret what I said, but I'm too angry and hurt at my dad to care. I shouldn't be taking it out on her; she's only ever been kind, but it's too late. Her face falls, as tears pool at her eyes.

"I'm sorry. I. Uh... I didn't mean to make you upset even more. I'm going to, just, um, go clean up the kitchen. Excuse me for a moment." Melanie says, getting up from her seat and walking to the kitchen. I turn to look at my dad, who is glaring at me.

"Look, I know you're angry, but I have never known you to be so cruel. There is no excuse to talk to Mel like that. She has spent all day in the kitchen, making your favorite dinner, trying to make everything perfect for tonight. You can be mad at me all you want, but you leave her out of this!" my dad says, angrily. I feel like I'm a little kid again, being scolded for acting out. I start to feel guilty, but my anger stops me.

"Oh, believe me! I am angry at you Dad! How did you think this was going to go? Did you think I would be so excited that I would offer to help Melanie plan the wedding?" I ask.

"Of course not! I knew it would be a shock, and you would be upset, but I was hoping you would at least be willing to make an effort to be happy for me," dad replied, sounding defeated.

"You don't get it! You didn't even ask me if I was okay with Melanie before you went and proposed. I'm glad you're happy, but you just completely ambushed me!" I exclaim, feeling frustrated by this whole conversation. My dad sighs, taking in my words.

"You're right. I should have talked to you about Melanie and wanting to propose. I didn't know how to, though! Every time I go and pick up the phone to call, you never answer. Or we have a two-minute conversation before you rush me off the phone," my dad says.

"Why do you think that is dad? Hmm? I don't know how to talk to you! After mom, you and I just haven't been the same. We've brushed that night and the years that followed completely under the rug. We pretend like everything between us is good, but who are we kidding? For years, our relationship consisted of me waiting up for you to come home every night! And when you finally would, you'd be drunk and incoherent to the point that I had to take care of you until you would finally pass out. I lost count of the nights I spent scared to death that you wouldn't come home or worse, terrified of police showing up at the front door, telling me you're dead. Just like mom! Do you have any idea what kind of toll that takes? I was the child. You were the parent. You were supposed to take care of me, not the other way around! I'm glad you're happy, Dad, because it took a long journey of pain and misery until you got there. For both of us." I replied.

Tears ran down my cheeks, as I felt my entire body shaking. My dad's anger softened when he saw me, guilt so evident on his face.

"Makayla, I know things haven't been easy for you the last few years, and I'm sorry for the role I played in that. Truly. I should have apologized a long time ago. Better yet, I never should have let myself get to that dark place. You're right. You lost your mother, and I should have been there for you. I'm not trying to make excuses, but honey, I never thought I would recover after your mom died. I tried to be strong for you, but God. It was just so hard. You look so much like her."

My chest tightens at his words. The ability to breathe is becoming harder and harder as time goes on.

"What if she wasn't dead?" The question spills off my tongue before I can stop myself. The mysterious texts and roses pushing to the front of my mind.

I don't know where the thought even came from. I have been suppressing it, trying not to jump to this conclusion, but a small part of me can't help but wonder. It can't be possible, but what if this is mom's way of reaching out? The only safe way to get in touch. Char and Nina are so convinced it's a creepy pervert, and after the incident with the stranger earlier tonight, I can see where they are coming from. But, what if they're wrong? Lovebug was the special name that only my mother would call me. Dad never has; he knew that was a thing between us. The logical side of me wants to deny it, bury it. But my emotions are raging and fighting back. We never buried her. Without a body, it could be possible.

My dad stops and looks at me with confusion and pain in his eyes.

"Makayla, what are you talking about?" The look he's giving me is one of pity and grief. He doesn't understand. He won't understand.

"Never mind. You wouldn't believe me." I mumble, looking down at my feet.

"Honey, what is going on?"

I can't do this. I can't be here. I need to go.

I say a quick sorry before running out of the room. I grab my bag and coat quickly, hearing my dad shouting after me. Melanie comes out of the kitchen and looks at me, confused on what's going on. I mumble a quick apology to her, before stumbling to the front door, pulling it open, and running to my car.

"Makayla!!"

My dad is shouting after me, but I don't turn back. If I stay here a second more, I'm going to breakdown and tell him everything. About the messages. The flowers. The strange, hooded figure. I put the car in drive and speed off down the road. I see my dad and Melanie in my rear-view mirror, waving at me, trying desperately to get my attention. To get me to come back. I quickly look away.

He wouldn't believe me.

He wouldn't believe the possibility that Mom might be alive and, in more danger than ever.

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Author's Note: Hope you all enjoyed this chapter and are enjoying the book as a whole! I've noticed a lot of readers question Makayla's decisions. If I was in her shoes, I'd be going straight to the police. No doubt in my mind. However, Makayla has a lot of trauma she hasn't fully dealt with, and it's clouding her judgement. Between her dad failing her when her mom died to the police failing her mom, she has a lot of distrust and is used to relying solely on herself. As the story unravels, Makayla goes through a lot of development, so I hope you stick through to the end to see!

As always, thank you for reading!  ❤️