The wildfire began to ravage the house. I couldn’t believe Kevin and his friends had gotten this far with their jokes.
“Jokes?” Papa shot me a doubtful side-eye.
I tried to utter a word but failed to find words to explain how sick I was of the situation. Papa rushed off to the backyard. I followed him like a shadow, wishing I could think as fast as he could and act even faster.
“You should tell them to stay the hell away from you, or your papa will deal with them!” He said, anger evident in his voice.
Papa grabbed a fire extinguisher and I mimicked his movements. Then the next few minutes were filled with the sound of moving feet.
I didn’t want my father to protect me. But again, could I really be my own shield? I was nothing without him. Maybe I clung too much to the promises he made, that he would always be there to defend me. Was Kevin even a danger big enough to safeguard me from? No matter what a bloody mess he left on my face, at the end of the day, he was merely a schoolboy trying to graduate just like me. He could never hurt me beyond his limits, or so I believed. Yet it had come down to this. Kevin trying to burn down our house.
Why was I so weak? I didn’t like the thought of Kevin tirelessly messing with me. I didn’t like to drag my father into my teenage troubles. If only I wasn’t so soft, then maybe they wouldn’t bully me.
I threw the extinguisher to the ground once the fire died down and sat down on the stairs before the front door. Papa dropped himself next to me.
“I – I’m sorry,” I stuttered, eyes downcast. “I didn’t mean to bother you with my stupid affairs.”
“Izzie, you’re not a bother. You’re my son and I’ll always be here for you.”
I swallowed hard before looking at him.
“You don’t have to. I should man up and learn how to fight my own fights.”
“No –”
“You can’t always be here for me.”
“Your problem is my problem. We’re buddies, remember?” He ruffled my hair and smiled. “As long as I’m here, that Kevin kid should know that he needs to get through me first if he really wants to mess with you.”
I didn’t want to put my burden on him. Kevin despised my guts, not Papa’s. My father shouldn’t have gotten involved in the first place, but the more I forced him out of the equation, the more persistent he was.
I smiled back, and he put an arm around my shoulders. I leaned on him. His body was cold and firm like a solid brick. Maybe that was why he was so strong; stronger than everyone I had ever known, but not invincible enough to dodge a bullet from an enemy. Who knew it would get to that extent?
I felt I could fight for myself but this was easier said than done. No matter how hard I try to shield myself from harm, one thing is certain; I’ll always need a father’s touch.
Loved it!❤️