Total pages in book: 117
Estimated words: 108362 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 542(@200wpm)___ 433(@250wpm)___ 361(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 108362 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 542(@200wpm)___ 433(@250wpm)___ 361(@300wpm)
My eyes were glued to Shannon’s profile as she inhaled a small breath then let it out. “If it came to that, of course I’d let you know. I wouldn’t bring anyone around Zara until I knew it was serious, and I hope you’d do the same.”
“I’m not seeing anyone, so it won’t be a problem for me,” I replied, whispering now because the house lights had dimmed, and a hush fell over the assembly. A short pause elapsed before I prodded, “So, who’s the guy?” Reflexively, I clenched my hand. Just asking the question made me want to lay waste to an entire smash room.
Shannon folded her hands in her lap, glancing down before levelling her attention on the stage. “I never said there was a guy.”
“You didn’t say there wasn’t one,” I countered. Yes, the idea of anyone getting to be with my ex-wife had jealousy curdling my insides. Even though we’d divorced, I still saw her as mine. It was fucked up, but I couldn’t help it. Shannon had been my girl since as far back as I could remember.
She didn’t respond, and I couldn’t push for more because the concert started, a middle-aged woman with short brown hair appearing to introduce Zara’s choir. At that moment, I forgot my jealousy because my little girl walked out on stage, and she was all I could focus on. I’d never been prouder. They sang “True Colours” followed by “Sitting on the Dock of the Bay,” with Zara singing a small solo midway through. Mam filmed the whole thing, and I noticed Shannon snap a few pictures at the beginning. Nobody complained about the flash because most of the other parents were doing the same thing.
My dad looked just as proud as I felt, and I knew it meant a lot to him to see his granddaughter living a good life. His childhood had been messed up, so it was important to him that Zara was happy and cared for. He’d wanted the same for me, too. It wasn’t his fault that I’d turned out fucked up anyway.
“You’ve done such a great job with her,” I said to Shannon when the concert ended.
“I didn’t do it alone,” she replied, and her words unleashed something in me. I had so much guilt over my tour schedule and how it took me away from Zara. I tried my best to make sure we saw each other at least once a month, but it was difficult. Taking this time off, I was looking forward to being there for her a lot more often. Hell, I wanted to see her every day, but I also didn’t want to put pressure on Shannon. If I pushed her too hard, I knew she’d only push back.
She had a definite stubborn side. It was just one of the things I’d always loved about her, even if I found myself on the receiving end of her stubbornness at times.
When we went to find Zara, she came running out, full of energy and smiles. It was so good to see her happy. Normally, our time together was spent in some random hotel room in a strange city where the band was playing, with her jetlagged and me trying my hardest to make things as normal as possible. I felt like I was constantly failing in that regard, but being there for her tonight, at the school she went to every day, was so effortlessly normal. I didn’t have to force anything, and it was like a weight had been lifted.
“Dad! Did you hear me sing? Did you like it?” she asked, launching herself into my arms.
“You sang like an angel, and I adored it,” I told her, hugging her tight. My eyes found Shannon’s, and her lovely gaze was soft as she watched us. She might’ve gone out of her way to avoid me since the divorce, but I knew it meant a lot to her that I maintained a close relationship with our kid.
My parents appeared then, distracting me from Shannon’s careful gaze. I could sense a tension in her. It was going to take time for her to be comfortable around me. Time for her to trust.
“Shall we head for the restaurant, then?” Mam asked. “Francesca is meeting us there.”
“Oh, I didn’t realise she was home from college,” Shannon commented.
Fran was my kid sister. She was studying psychology at UCC, the intellectual of the family. I’d been lucky to scrape a pass in my exams at the end of secondary school. College hadn’t been on the cards, but then only a year later, my band got signed to a record label, and life took off like a rocket. I’d been so eager for it at the time and had no idea that what was to follow would almost destroy me.