My New Dad Hunts Ghost

Tracy’s POV

I slowly got off of the couch in a way I wouldn’t wake Zak, once up I stretched and looked around. The place was still a mess. I decided to put on some coffee before I cleaned. I tiptoed into the kitchen and got the stuff ready. When I was pulling the coffee from the cupboard however a bowl came crashing down with it.

“Shit,” I silently cursed after the bowl made a loud banging noise on the ground.

I slowly picked it up before peeking at Zak to see if I had woken him. He still sat on the couch, hands turned up like they were still cradling me, head back, and mouth open slightly snoring.

Zak snores? I laughed to myself as I finished what I was doing.

Once the coffee was started I went around the room picking stuff up.

I placed all my papers back into my folder, I grabbed the phone and after messing with it a while gave up and just threw it away, and I took all the cups and placed them into the sink before washing them out.

After the house looked back to normal I decided to change. I walked to my room grabbing some sweatpants and one of my dad’s old shirts, then headed to the bathroom to wash my face.

I closed the door behind me and looked in the mirror. My eyes were slightly swollen and red from crying, dried make-up stuck on my cheeks, and my hair was in every which way but normal. With a groan I splashed some cold water onto my face then I brushed through my hair quickly before putting it into a hair tie. I finally changed before heading back into the kitchen and pouring the coffee.

The smell must’ve woke Zak because soon he was up and by the counter.

“Here,” I mumbled voice hoarse from crying.

“Thanks,” he muttered before putting everything he needed into it.

I sighed before letting my head rest on the counter beneath me, it wasn’t there for long because I could feel Zak’ eyes on me the whole time which caused me to look up.

I just raised one eyebrow to ask my question silently. Zak just crossed his arms as if to say ‘nothing’ before narrowing his eyes slightly; I could see his wrinkles again.

“Don’t do that,” I said unsure of why I voiced my thoughts out loud.

Zak’s eyebrows furrowed together as he answered.

“Why?” It wasn’t a teasing tone but a truly curious one.

“You could see your wrinkles,” I answered again without thinking.

The look on his face was priceless; his eyes widen slightly, his mouth opened up a little from shock, and his whole body looked like it desired to run to a mirror. I couldn’t help but chuckle lightly at it.

At least he was also worried by the sight but I have a feeling for far different reasons then me.

“I’m only 33 though!” I smiled lightly at him.

“Which is like 53,” I muttered.

“What?” He warned.

“Nothing,” I answered quickly.

We stood still for a while staring at each other before starting to laugh. It was interrupted soon by Zak’s cell going off.

“Hello?” His laughing stopped before he answered.

“Um, sure I guess that will be alright.” There was a pause as another person answered.

“OK how soon will you get here?” Just after the sentence left his lips there was a knock on the door.

Zak looked at the door with a raised brow before heading over to answer it.

“Hold on Nick someone’s here,” he muttered before opening the door.

“I could get here now,” Nick said once the door was opened.

Kris and Aaron stood behind him holding McDonalds bags. Zak shook his head chuckling before they pushed passed him.

“Hi Sweetie,” Kris smiled brightly before pulling me into a hug.

“Hey,” I smiled.

“Are you OK?” She asked once we pulled away.

“Fine,” I smiled. That was the truth but with my eyes looking swollen and bloodshot so they probably thought I wasn’t alright.

“You sure?” She raised an eyebrow and I just nodded.

“I wanna hug her,” Aaron whined.

I just smiled as he pushed past Nick’s wife and pulled me into a bear hug. I had gotten used to him squeezing the life out of me so I was comfortable with it now.

“We brought you some food,” he smiled down at me.

I just smiled back as I looked over at Nick who stood arms crossed looking at me. I sighed before looking at Zak who was digging into the bags.

I walked over taking a seat beside him.

“Here,” Zak placed some sort of breakfast sandwich in front of me and I took it gladly.

I didn’t eat yesterday since I took off and spent the night crying myself to sleep. He placed a cup of OJ in front of me also. The cold drink relieved my dry scratchy throat as the sandwich calmed down my stomach. Everyone else started to eat around me and I could feel Nick’s eyes on me.

He was upset with me; it didn’t take a genius to see that even though no one around us seemed to notice. I needed to apologize to him and soon, I also needed to talk to him about some stuff.

Nick and I were the first to finish our food. I stood up to throw the trash away and he came with me.

“Uncle Nick?” I said once we both stood in the kitchen.

He just looked up at me as if to say ‘what’.

“Can I talk to you outside?” I jerked my head to the sliding glass doors.

He nodded after thinking it over a bit. He followed me out the door without a word to the others. Kris probably knew he was upset with me and that I needed to apologize.

The morning air stung my skin as I took a seat at the patio, Nick followed suite taking a seat in front of me. When I looked up we were facing each other.

“I’m sorry,” I said.

“Did you tell Zak that?”

“Not yet,” I sighed. “I wanted to talk to you first,” I explained.

“About what?”

“First, do you forgive me?” My eyes were pleading even if my face showed no emotion.

I was shocked to hear Nick chuckle softly.

“I was never mad at you.” Relief washed over me as I slumped a little in my seat. “I was a little upset but mainly because I was so worried but never angry.” He explained and I nodded.

“So back to what you wanted to talk to me about…” I looked down before I started to count the cracks in the cement.

One, two, three… I let my mind wander not sure how to word my thoughts.

“Tracy,” Nick said after a moment.

My head snapped back up at him before I remembered why we were here. I felt nervous again as I chewed on my lip piercing.

“How…” I sighed shaking my head. That’s not the right way to start.

Clearing my throat I tried again.

“What is a dad?” Nick looked confused at me for a moment. “I mean what do think a dad is; how should they act, treat you, and what’s their job?” I tried wording it so he’d understand.

“Tracy I don’t see why this is important.” He shook his head.

“Please, it’s important to me.” He slowly nodded before sighing and looking at the air.

His lips made a firm line and his brows furrowed together as he thought the question over. It was probably a harder question then most think. Have you ever tried to sit and think what the duty of a dad is? Not a father but a dad?

“I think…” Nick started finally turning back to Tracy. “A dad should be someone that makes sacrifices for his child and one that loves them…” he stared down a moment deep in thought. “He should love them with all of their flaws… and mistakes.” At the last part he looked back up at me. “He should be there no matter what, whenever they need them; they should also try their best to be their best to them even if they aren’t perfect.” He smiled figuring he was finished.

“Hmm,” was all I mumbled as I stared down. I thought his answer over, it was different than mine. That’s what I had to do next; think of what my definition was.

“What do you think a dad is?” I looked back up a moment before looking behind him at nothing.

“I always thought…” I started unsure if this was the answer he was looking for. “I always thought,” I started again sure of myself now. “That all girls were born with their Prince Charming.” Nick cocked his head to the side curiously but listened.

“No male out there is going to love you more than your own dad. They are the only guys that won’t hurt you too; I think that’s why they say all girls marry their father.” I chuckled looking down.

“I think a dad,” I sighed collecting all of my thoughts. “Is someone who loves you unconditionally and who you love even if you know they aren’t perfect, someone who is your knight in shining armor even if you won’t admit it, and someone who you’re glad is there to voice their opinions on boys even if at the time you don’t want it…” I trailed off looking down again.

I saw Nick stand even if I wasn’t looking up.

“I’m not sure what your question is but I have a feeling…” he sighed. “I can’t answer it for you but ask yourself this. Who does all of that for you now?” I slowly lifted my gaze up just in time to see him smile and walk away.

I thought over the question as he walked inside; through the glass door I seen Zak look up at me questioningly; I just smiled and he smiled back.

I think I got my answer.