Chapter Twenty-Four
Chessie
I pull up outside Mark and Nina’s house and turn off the engine. After undoing my seat belt, I turn and look at Thea. “Are you ready?”
Her brows draw together. “I don’t know.” She looks out at the house. “What if he does it again?” she whispers.
It’s a valid concern, and I think for a moment before I answer. “I don’t think that’s going to happen. Kingi said that when someone tries to take their own life, it’s often a cry for help. They’re hurting badly, and they need everyone around them to understand how bad they feel.”
“He could have just said.”
“That’s true. But I don’t think it was a conscious act. It’s not as if he thought, ‘I’m going to try to kill myself, that’ll show them.’ When you’re in pain, you just want it to stop.”
She nods. “I told Kingi that I hated Dad.”
I feel a swell of pity. “Oh, Thea… it’s okay…”
“He said he understood. But that hate is a negative emotion, and I need to focus on finding the light.”
“That’s very profound,” I say softly. “Deep,” I add at her puzzled look.
“I don’t want to hate Dad.” She swallows hard. “I want to help him.”
Tears fill my eyes, and I have to fight hard not to let them fall. “That’s a very mature attitude, Thea. He’s so lucky to have you.”
She rubs her nose. “Shall we go in?”
“Yeah, come on.”
We get out, walk up the path, and I open the door with the spare key Nina gave me. Thea holds my hand, and we walk into the living room together.
Nina’s in the kitchen, making coffee, while Mum puts some biscuits on a plate. Mark and Dad are sitting in the living room, but they both stand as Thea and I walk in.
Mark is pale, but he looks okay. He glances at me, then at his daughter as she walks toward him. “Baby.” He holds out his arms and when she runs into them, he gives her a big hug.
“Daddy.” She buries her face in his chest.
I turn away and smile at my father as he comes toward me. “How are you doing?” I ask. He has a little more color than he had the day before, and his eyes are brighter.
“I’m okay.” He gives me a hug too. “I’m so sorry for all the worry.”
“Aw, it’s not your fault.”
“I know. I’m still sorry I wasn’t there for you yesterday.”
“It’s okay, Dad. We went to Kingi’s house. We had a nice time, didn’t we?” I look at Thea, who nods as she moves back from Mark.
“His friend’s dog was there. His name was Bearcub. He slept on my bed.”
“Oh, that was kind of Kingi.” Mark strokes her hair. “I was thinking… maybe we could get a dog?”
Thea’s face lights up. “Really?”
“Yeah. While you’re at school and Mum’s at the supermarket, he could come to work with me. Then I could bring him when I pick you up at school.” She hugs him, and he kisses the top of her head. He looks at me. “I’m sorry.”
I blink away the tears that sting my eyes. “It’s okay.”
“It’s not. None of you deserved that.”