Chapter 81: A happy place

I remember when I was the twinkle in my daddy's eyes.

Then he left one day without saying goodbye

– Heidi A. Hopson

"I called your dad." I watched Mr Dawson's lips move in that slow motion, underwater sound type of way:

I caaaaaaaaallllleeeeeeddd youuuuurrrrr daaaaaaaaaaaaadddddddddddddddd

"You what?" I repeated, staring at him like I didn't understand the English language anymore.

At this point, I really don't.

Mrs Dawson was there, observing my reaction and realizing what her husband had just done to my reality. He'd transported me into an alternative universe. A universe where my father was reachable.

"You have his number?" I asked, trying to keep the question casual.

I was melting. I couldn't even tell if there was a smile on my face and, if there was, it must've looked like the world's fakest clown smile.

Mr Dawson stared at me like I was too slow to understand, "That's what I said. I called him."