The Dilemma of Parker

Chapter14

Parker didn't sleep well at all, she couldn't. She wanted nothing to do with the people she had grown up with. Besides William, none had even bothered with her at all. She had found her self a place she felt like she belonged. Parker refused to allow anyone to take that from her at all.

At 5am she was awake, she decided to shower and then walk to the McDonald's near central for breakfast. Yes she got free breakfast at the uni, but she needed something to do other then being in her head. She would text William from her phone and tell him to meet her somewhere other then her uni.

Parker walked through the front door just after 6am not paying attention to anything really. She hoped the walk would clear her head but it hadn't. Parker ran straight into someone coming out of the McDonalds which caused the person to drop their coffee all over the floor. "Sorry, I'll replace it" Parker stated while looking at the coffee that had spilled on the ground. It reminded her of how she felt after being knocked down so many times by her family. There was no scooping it back into the cup, it was just now laying on the ground.

Richard had taken off for a run at 5am to clear his head. He would of used the gym in the hotel however he didn't want to run into Leon, Jude or Tanner. He hated that he was like them in Parker's eyes. He had stopped at the McDonalds for coffee as he didn't know where else would be open at this time of morning. As he was walking out a young girl ran straight into him knocking his coffee on the ground.

Richard looked at the girl who was so focused on the coffee. "Are you ok?" Richard asked as the girl mumbled something about replacing it. "Parker?" Richard asked looking at the girl who refused to take her eyes off the coffee. "Hey Parker" Richard called out louder startling Parker who immediately raised her hands over her head. "Hey, woah Parker, it's just coffee" Richard stated upset she reacted that way.

Parker looked at the man she now knew was her father and was confused why he was here. "Are you following me?" Parker asked stepping back from Richard and nearly falling over a table. "God no, I was here first Parker. You knocked my coffee out of my hand" Richard answered. "Right, umm, yeh, I'll replace it. What did you have?" Parker asked still not quiet looking at Richard.

Richard frowned at how Parker was acting nervous around him. She seemed to be caught in the flight or fight mode and it looked like she would flee the minute she got an opening. "Don't worry about the coffee" Richard stated. Parker nodded her head. "Ok well sorry, I'm just going to get breakfast" Parker stated before trying to walk around Richard hoping he would leave her alone.

"Wait" Richard said a bit to loudly as the 4 other customers and the 3 workers all turned to look at him. "Can I buy you breakfast?" Richard asked. Parker went to refuse. "It's the least you could do seeing you spilt my coffee" Richard rushed out. "I'm pretty sure that I am suppose to buy the coffee" Parker mumbled. "Ok, so instead of you replacing my coffee, can I please buy you breakfast? It doesn't have to be here. We can go somewhere else. Parker I just want to get to know you" Richard stated.

Parker was a little uncomfortable but she was also hungry. She really didn't want to do this at all. She didn't know what to say to the man who had treated her poorly her entire life, well that was an exaggeration because she didn't remember her entire life. "Look, let's order some coffee and what ever you want. I can leave after my coffee if you prefer" Richard bargained. Parker nodded once before going over to the self-serve register and putting her order in. She was getting a muffin two has browns and a coffee frappe.

Parker headed to a table where one of the workers came over to check she was ok. Richard was waiting for the food. Parker nodded at the worker and they came up with a signal for if she needed the police to be called. She hoped she didn't, but she didn't trust anyone to be honest. Parker checked her phone but it was still to early to message William.

Richard grabbed the food and placed it down on the table. He had got exactly the same thing as Parker except he got a long black. "Thanks" Parker mumbled looking at the food and not at Richard. Richard felt like shit, William had been right. Regardless of Parker's parents, he should not of treated her badly when she was younger. She was still someone's little girl and she deserved to be treated right.

"Parker, I just wanted to apologise for my behaviour towards you as you grew up. Regardless of who your parents are, you were a little girl. You didn't deserve to be treated the way I treated you. It was wrong and before you say anything, I know sorry doesn't change the fact or make things right. I just wanted to acknowledge my behaviour and let you know I own that. It wasn't because of anything you did. If I could go back now, regardless of me being your father, I would change my behaviour. From what I have heard, you had a pretty shitty home life. I was the adult and maybe if I was not treating you horribly, I could of helped to get you a better life" Richard stated.

Parker didn't know what to say to that because it was all well and good to say it after the fact. "I don't expect you to forgive me, but I want you to know that I see you. I see the strong, brave young woman, sitting in front of me" Richard stated which caused Parker to look up at him finally. Richard's eyes were soft and he was nodding at Parker to let her know he was telling the truth. "It takes a strong person to get themselves out of an abusive home. Neglect is abuse. You moved across the country by yourself and that takes strength and bravery. I am proud of you Parker. So is William and I am proud of you for standing up for yourself when no one else did" Richard stated.

Parker was shocked to hear those words come out of Richard's mouth. No one had told her they were proud of her, well besides Will but he did that because he felt sorry for her. "Thanks" Parker mumbled. Right now she didn't feel strong or brave. She felt like a scared little girl all over again. "Parker, if you let me, I'll stand right beside you no matter what. I want to get to know you and it doesn't have to be as your dad. That was a huge bombshell, but maybe we could have a friendship of sorts. Your brothers want you back in the NT and I can see your life is here" Richard stated. "I'm never going back to The Northern Territory" Parker stated confidently.

Richard smiled at Parker, "I know. So I would like to get to know you in Sydney. I'll be here for a few weeks and would like to spend some time with you and William if you are more comfortable that way" Richard stated. "Ok, umm Will and I are going to the zoo today if you want to come, just as like friends I guess" Parker said just as Parker's phone rang. Richard nodded his head immediately, he would take any chance he got to spend time with his little girl.

"Speaking of" Parker stated before answering the phone. "Shit, I didn't wake you did I?" Will asked. "No, I am eating brekkie with Richard, your dad" Parker replied. "Shit, where? I'm on my way" William called out. "William, we will meet you at the hotel" Richard stated loud enough for Will to hear. "Parker, you don't have to do this" William whispered. "I know, see you soon bro" Parker replied before hanging up.