Page 76 of Meet Me on Love Street
His eyes widen. Clearly he wasn’t aware that I knew. “I’m only the broker who brought the opportunity to her. Selling was her decision.”
“How much money are you making off the deal?” He doesn’t answer that question. “Did you ask me to move in with you so Mom would sell? She said she told you before that she wouldn’t sell while I still lived with her.”
Dad’s brows knit together. “No, Sana. Of course not. Noureen and I want to see more of you. To help you.”
I shake my head. “I don’t believe you. I think you were trying to manipulate Mom’s decision. What I don’t get is,why did you go afterLove Street? Where I live. Condos can be built anywhere… Was this all to get back at Mom or something?”
“Sana, this is business. Not personal. And your street should be—”
“I know. I know. It should be higher-density housing. But at the expense of the people who call it their home now? Your daughteractually livesthere. Youronlydaughter, remember?”
“Your motherwantsto sell. This isn’t on me. And as for remembering you’re my daughter, I’m not sure what you want from me. We try to see you as often as we can. I pay child support, and I said we’d help with your college expenses.”
That’s it? That’s all he thinks he needs to do to be my father? Biweekly brunches and money? I feel tears start forming at the corners of my eyes, and it makes me even angrier. “What do I want from you? I want my father back! Remember when we used to actually do things together? We went to all those festivals and fairs, and even Comicon every year? It felt like youwantedto spend that time with me.” I swallow the shakiness in my voice. “I want you towantto see me because I’m your daughter, not because it’s your duty. And not see you andNoureenfor an awkward brunch every two weeks so she can tell me all the things I need to fix about myself before she’ll accept me.”
Dad doesn’t say anything for a while. I should have said this to him a long time ago. “Sana, Noureen is my wife,” he finally says. “And she’s never done anything—”
I interrupt him. “Don’t even think about finishing that sentence. I know exactly what Noureen has done to myfamily.” My voice is completely cracking here, but I don’t stop. I say the thing I don’t think I’ve ever said aloud. To anyone. Ever. “IknowNoureen started a relationship with a married man.”
Dad stares at me. I can’t tell what he’s thinking… but he definitely didn’t expect me to say that. “Sana, you don’t know what you’re talking about.”
“You can’t deny it. I know you were together long before you and Mom split up.”
“You can’t know—”
“I’ve known since the beginning.” My stupid eyes are tearing up now. I ignore it, letting the tears fall down my cheeks. “I overheard you talking to her on the phone—beforeyou and Mom separated. You said you couldn’t wait to see her. You said you would be together soon. When you told me you were divorcing, you and Mompromisedthat it wasn’t because either of you were seeing someone new. You were lying, weren’t you?”
“Sana, you were only nine years old. You couldn’t—”
I raise my voice. “When you said you weren’t splitting up because of another person, were you lying? It’s a simple question, Dad.”
He shakes his head, angry now. “You don’t have the right to come here accusing me like this. Does your mother know you’re here?”
“No. Mom doesn’t know I’m here. Hell, she doesn’t even know I know about your infidelity.” I exhale. “You destroyed my family once, and now you’re doing it again with this real estate deal.”
He looks at me for a while. I wipe my eyes. I can’t even see any sympathy in his face. He doesn’t care that I’m hurt.
“What is it you expect me to do?” he asks. His voice is quiet.
“I don’t know. Maybe be honest with me? Youknewall this was happening. That Mom was getting offers to sell. Youpretendedyou wanted me to move in with you… just because of a real estate deal.” My voice cracks there. I squeeze my eyes shut. I don’t want to look at him.
“Sana, you don’t understand how these things work.”
I glare at him. “Sohelpme understand, then. You all treat me like I’m too young and frivolous to understand serious things, but you never even give me the chance. You guys are my family, and you’re supposed to want the best for me, but no one bothers getting my input about what is actually working or not working for me. You just sit there while your wife tries to turn me into her perfect daughter instead of getting to know who I am. You do whatever is best for you and your bank accounts without thinking about how it will affect your family.”
Something in my dad’s face softens then. The anger leaves and is replaced by sadness and real compassion. I haven’t seen that expression on my father’s face since… well, since a long time ago. Since I fell off my bike when he was teaching me to ride it. Since my first cat died when I was six.
Why did it take so long for him to actually look like he loves me?
He shakes his head. “Sana. I’m sorry. None of this was my decision. Your motherwantsto sell. If not through me, it will be through someone else. But you’re right—we don’t spend enough time together. Let me cancel my afternoon appointments. We can have lunch and… talk. Just us.”
Why? To wipe my tears? There was a time when I would have jumped at that offer. I wanted more than anything to feel important to him. But I won’t let him disappoint me again. I shake my head and stand. “It’s too late for us, Dad. You’ve let me down too many times.” I turn and walk out the door before he can stop me.
“Sana, wait,” Dad says, calling for me down the hallway.
I walk right out of the office and down the stairs. And my father doesn’t follow me.
CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVENO LOVE ON LOVE STREET
