Bad Conversation - 02

It felt strange to make my way to the room where my father was staying, knowing that until recently, it belonged to my cousin, his niece. I loved her so much it hurt. She was like a younger sister to me, and now, I've lost her.

I had to get used to that idea now, even if it hurt. I had been standing at his door for so long, staring at everything with a slightly pained heart. I sighed twice and swallowed hard.

"Open up!" I requested, serious.

I was holding back from falling apart. I didn't want to do that in front of my father. They did it after a "Yes, sir," in chorus, and I entered, finding the room tidy, the smell of breakfast and coffee in the air, and my father flipping something in the frying pan.

The TV was loud, and he seemed focused on both things. "Son, you could have told me you were coming," my father says, smiling at me.

"How did you know it was me?"

"Jaden, I've known you since you were a boy. I'm your father, I know your scent," he smiles. "Breakfast?"

"No, thank you," I