Dad opened the door and watched as I parked. The moment I stepped out of the car, he called to me.
“I hope you’re hungry for waffles, baby girl.”
“I am if you’re making them.”
He ushered me inside, took my jacket, and wrapped me in a strong hug. When he pulled back, I noticed the dark circles under his eyes were less pronounced.
“Did you sleep well last night?” I asked.
“Like a rock. I’m so glad your mother brought me here. It’s beautiful, isn’t it?”
I looked around the house. From the entry, I could see the living room, and farther back, the dining room then kitchen. The cozy decorations made it feel lived in. As did the smells of chocolate and vanilla. I inhaled appreciatively.
“It is a nice house,” I agreed.
I followed him toward the dining room, which flowed into the kitchen. My mom, dressed in a gossamer evening gown that was barely decent, rose from her spot at the table and opened her arms for me.
“I’m so glad you could make it, baby.” She hugged me, her hand stroking over my hair. “Is the taste gone?”
I pulled back and nodded with a smile.
“The taste is gone, but not the problem.”
She gave a curious frown.
“Tell me about it.” She motioned for me to take the seat beside her, and I glanced at Dad, who was already happily moving around the kitchen.
“Another brownie was in my room this morning. The little sister of Piepen’s very jealous girlfriend. I feel like I’m on some bad daytime drama show, and I just want it to stop.”
“Did you feed off of this one?”
“Gods, no.”
“Eliana. You know better. It’s God with a capital G,” Dad said from the kitchen.
“Jason, censoring what she says doesn’t change her thoughts, only the words she’s willing to speak in front of you. Is that what you want?”
Dad gave Mom a sheepish, yet completely devoted, look.
“No. You’re right.” He returned to the food he was removing from the oven. I watched him for a moment, my heart heavy.
“I’m glad this one wasn’t as persistent,” Mom said, patting my hand. “In time, Piepen will forget about you.”
“I sincerely hope so.”
Dad carried two plates to us and set them down with a flourish.
“For my beautiful ladies.”
I glanced at the chocolate and whipped cream loaded waffle and gave Dad an appreciative smile.
“It looks amazing.”
He hurried to get his plate, and Mom picked up her fork, trailing it through the cream and chocolate.
“This is divine, Jason. Thank you for cooking for us.”
“Your pleasure is my pleasure.”
I fought not to react. It wasn’t easy when bile was riding the elevator up my throat.
“Adira told me you went to the Roost last night. Did you enjoy yourself?” Mom asked.
“Not really.”
“I don’t blame you. That place is atrocious.”
Given what I’d seen on the walls, I couldn’t disagree.
“The environment didn’t ruin it for me as much as knowing that Adira has Yem watching me now.”
“Who’s Yem?” Dad asked.
I knew that suspicious tone.
“It’s the adult who supervises the youth at the club we go to after school. Not a boy.”
“Oh. Okay. That’s good.”
Mom noted the pity on my face and reached out to give my hand a squeeze.
“Your father loves you and worries about you like we all do. His understanding is just limited by his beliefs. There’s nothing wrong with him.”
“Of course there’s not,” he agreed. “Your mother and I might believe different things, but our love for you and each other is unwavering.”
I tugged my hand from under Mom’s and took a bite of waffle.
“Because of Adira’s monitoring, I feel like a bug trapped in a jar,” I said after I swallowed, intent on returning to the original subject. “It’s suffocating me.”
Mom made a sympathetic noise.
“Maybe my news will cheer you up.” She waited until I looked at her. “I’m building a better place for us. Something far classier than Uttira deserves. Would you like to see it?”
I stared at her for a moment in complete shock.
“You’re building something in Uttira?” I set my fork aside, no longer able to pretend. “How long are you staying, Mom? How long are you going to keep doing this?” I flicked a glance at Dad. “You said if I did what you wanted, that you’d leave.”
Mom sighed.
“I did leave. But, I have no intention of raising another child outside of Uttira. Your father is willing to stay here and help me raise this one. Together.”
I was so angry I had to look down at the table to keep my father from seeing how my eyes flickered to black.
“I expected lies from everyone else, but not from you, Mom.”
I stood to leave and jumped when a set of strong arms wrapped around me. My dad cradled my head to his chest as he shook.
“I did this to you,” he said softly. “I lost myself after your mother went away and left you to care for yourself. You’re not alone now. We’re both here for you.” He leaned close so his mouth was next to my ear. “Please don’t send me away.”
Hearing those words, I silently raged at the world. At my place in it and at my inability to untangle this web around me. In my heart, I wanted to save my father, but in my head, I knew he was already far past saving. If I insisted Mom send him back to the human world, even with a mind wipe, he would waste away. Yet, if he stayed here, he would never be more than my mom’s slave, no matter how much she tried to tell me otherwise.
In reality, my father had lost himself a long time ago.
Circling my arms around his waist, I hugged him in return.
“I love you, Dad. Mom won’t send you away again. She’ll keep you like you want.”
A shudder ran through him, and I silently cried for the man he’d once been.
“Jason, darling, will you clean up for me while Eliana and I go to the worksite. When I come home, we can watch one of those movies you like.”
He released me immediately and went to Mom, offering his hand to help her stand.
“I would like to go with you.” There was no mistaking the desperate plea in his tone.
She smiled lovingly at him and kissed him gently on the mouth.
I turned away from the pair, wiped my tears, and went to collect my jacket. Behind me, I was surprised to hear Mom agree to wait for him. While he hurried to clean up our mostly uneaten breakfasts, she joined me by the door.
Some of my doubt must have shown on my face.
“I know it’s hard for you to believe, but I do want him to be happy.”
“Why? He tastes better that way?” The bitterness in my tone surprised me and hurt her.
“No, because he gave me you,” she said quietly.
I swallowed hard and watched Dad.
“If you ever leave him again, he’ll forget how to live and will die within days.”
“I promise to take care of him, Eliana.”
“Take care of him? He didn’t even finish his breakfast.”