My Best Friend's Dad

Surprise In The Driveway

Tristan’s POV

I stood in the crowded lounge as Elona walked away from me with Spooky. He looked at me, reassuring me that he would take good care of her. I wanted to be the one to walk with her but nothing has changed. I screwed this up unintentionally. I guess I was selfish to have sex with her and to actually beg her to take me back in that moment, it was wrong. But I knew she wanted me in that moment, it was a resistance she put up after that.

I let out a heavy sigh as I scanned through the crowd after Elona and Spooky disappeared out the front door. I couldn’t see Cris anywhere. I moved to the sliding door where more students were and I saw her sitting on a bench with a boy who was smoking. My jaw clenched as anger erupted inside of me. He will not influence my daughter to smoke weed or whatever they smoke.

I stormed out into the backyard and stopped in front of them. Cris looked at me, her eyes widened and the boy’s eyes were hooded with what he was smoking. The smell was disgusting, it made me want to puke. “Dad, what are you doing here?” Cris asked, I shifted my attention to her.

“First of all, I have told you to be at home by 11 PM. It is after that time and you weren’t answering your phone. I’m here to take you home.” I said with what self-control I have left. I wanted to get away from that disgusting smell.

“Dad, I need to find Elona. Would you mind taking her home too?” she asked as she stood up. I was more surprised that she didn’t put up a fight to remain in this awful place.

“She and Spooky left. She wasn’t feeling well.”

She nodded in understanding, ” Okay. Sorry for not getting home in time.” She gave me a weak smile and she slipped her hand around my lower back and then I wrapped my arm around her shoulder and walked out of this place. She was surprising me in this moment.

“Are you sure you didn’t smoke whatever that boy was smoking?” I asked as we walked towards my car.

“Dad, I would never.” She replied as we now got inside of the car.

“Good, because I wouldn’t want you to smell like that disgusting shit,” I said as I started the engine and then we left the manor.

The ride was silent, I looked over at her, she was staring out the window and just clutched her bag on her lap. I wanted to know what was going through her mind. “Will you and Elona ever be okay again?” She asked as I focused on the road again. That question caught me off guard.

“Um...I don’t know. I’m trying to get her back but she...I don’t think she wants me back after all the hurt I caused her.” Tears stung the back of my eyes as I realized that I might really have lost her for good. Part of that was Maggie for causing this sh^t in my life. Decisions I’ve made without thinking things through just ruined my chance at happiness again with the one I love.

“I can understand that. Its just...I miss having you both together and for her to be coming over to our house. We had plans you know...to camp in the backyard and I didn’t even know you both had things going on and now that things are messed up between you both, I won’t get to see her as much anymore. I’m moving close to SNT and to give you another push to try your luck with winning her back, she is moving tomorrow to be close to VFS, so while there is time, please go see her.” She said, sadness laced her voice.

That really hit me...I might not see her much anymore. I don’t even know where she would be living but VFS is further away from us, but still in a bit of driving distance.

“Thank you for telling me when she will leave. I will try my best.” I have to for what it's worth.

“Thanks, Dad.”

We pulled into the driveway and I parked next to a red car. “Whose car is this?” Cris asked.

I smiled as I got out of the car and walked to the front of it. Cris got out after me and then she joined me where I stood as I looked at the red Jaguar. “Its yours.” I replied as I now look at her.

She gasped with surprise, her hand covering her mouth. “Really?”

“Yes.” I chuckled. “I asked Uncle Steve from the club to bring it over. His brother owns the company and I thought you would need this car for college. Its all yours.”

“Oh my gosh, Dad.” she wrapped her arms around my neck, embracing me. I held her with my eyes closed.

“I’m so proud of you. Despite our arguments and our relationship not being that perfect, you always amaze me.” She pulled back out of my embrace. Her eyes glazed over. “I wish your mother was alive to see these moments of achievements. She would’ve been so proud of you.” My voice broke at the thought of Estelle and what could’ve been.

“Oh, Dad, I knew she would.” She wiped away tears that now ran down her cheeks. “You’re making me cry.” She tried to smile through the tears, fanning herself with her hand, and then she breathed out through her mouth. “I love you, Dad.” She said and hugged me again.

“I love you too.” I held her as long as I could. She will always be my little girl. “I promise to see Elona tomorrow morning,” I said as I pulled back to look at Cris.

“Please do and let me know how it goes.” She said.

“The car keys are on the kitchen counter, but you will not drive under the influence because I know you drank alcohol at the party because Elona did.”

“Well, I only had one drink...surprisingly.” She said in thought.

“Good. I have some work to do, I will be in the study room if you need me.” I leaned into her and pressed my lips against her forehead and then I walked back into the house.

I let out a heavy breath, my heart was breaking at the thought that Cris would be moving away from me and then its just me and this house. Everyone just leaves. Now it’s just me. As I walked into the study room, my heart was heavy with that thought alone. I closed the door behind me and walked over to the desk.

I sat down on the chair and opened my desk drawer, taking out a journal I usually jot things down in. A very personal journal that I had been writing in since before Estelle passed away. She was the one who gifted me this journal. No one knows that I write my thoughts, emotions, and whatever else I just randomly jot down in it. I place it on my desk and grab my pen. Opening the journal, I turn the pages to a blank space and then I jot down this moment and what I feel.