“Carlos.” A long time ago she’d started calling him by his first name. He didn’t deserve the title of father.
Despite her unenthusiastic greeting, he looked happy to see her, his brown eyes bright and eager. He looked her up and down, smiling as if they had a good relationship. “What a surprise,” he said. “It’s good to see you. I didn’t think I’d be able to see you while I was back in town.”
“If you wanted to make sure you saw me, you could have called and set up a meeting,” she said a cool voice.
“Would you have met with me?” he asked, his voice hopeful.
“No, I wouldn’t have,” she said with a tight smile, and was satisfied when she saw the smile waver on his lips.
“Of course not.”
“Did you want something?”
“Yes, I…” He rubbed the back of his neck. “Do you think we could sit and talk for a few minutes?”
“About what?”
“I have something to tell you.”
She glanced at the clock hanging on the wall behind the cash register. “I only have a few minutes,” she said, even though she had no other pressing appointment.
He nodded his understanding. “I only need a few minutes.” He glanced around the shop and motioned with his hand. “How about we sit over there?”
Sit down and talk to her father. She couldn’t remember the last time that happened, and all of a sudden she was frightened of the situation she was placing herself in. But why should she be fearful? He couldn’t hurt her anymore.
“A few minutes,” she repeated.
“No problem.”
He led the way to a two-top table against the window. Located at the back, it lent an air of privacy.
Daniella set her purse and coffee purchase on the table. What could her father possibly have to say to her after all this time?
“You look so much like your mother,” he said softly.
She stiffened. Wrong start to the conversation, and he realized it right away, too.
“I’m sorry, I shouldn’t have—”
“No, you shouldn’t have. What do you want?”
He took a deep breath. “I came back here to close on the house,” he said.
Daniella shrugged. “I figured as much.”
The house he referred to was the property he’d purchased years ago when he and her mother first married. He’d allowed her and Daniella to live there after their divorce, but his name remained on the deed. After her mother passed away, he rented the property to long term tenants who’d moved out over a year ago. It had take over a year on the market before the property finally sold.
Her mother had lived there until her death from colon cancer. The disease had metastasized, spreading throughout the tissues of her body at an alarming rate. The chemotherapy treatments left her so weak she could no longer work, could barely even walk most days. Even with the aggressive treatments, the cancer had plowed through her cells and ravaged her body until she’d been so withered she was unrecognizable, only a fragment of former self.
“The reason I’m glad we were able to see each other today is because I have something to tell you.” He rubbed his hands together, apparently finding it difficult to tell her his news. She wished he’d get it over with. “I’m leaving the country. I’m selling the house in Miami, too, and moving to the Caribbean at the end of the year.”
Moving? For good? The shock of his words left her temporarily speechless. Daniella swallowed. “I see.”
“I was hoping—”
“Don’t you mean we?” she interrupted him. Hurt, anger foamed inside of her. “You said ‘I’m leaving the country,’ but what you really mean is we’re leaving the country. You and your wife. Are your sons going, too?”
“No, the boys aren’t going. Just me and…my wife.” He leaned across the table. “Before I go, I want…I wanted to see if we could patch things up. I want you to have my address, in case you ever need me.”
“I haven’t needed you before. What makes you think I would need you now?”
He appeared crestfallen. Did he really think she’d jump at the chance to stay in touch when they hadn’t for years?