Page 50 of When People Leave

Morgan

F our days later, Morgan awoke before the sun came up.

She tried to go back to sleep but knowing that her father would be there that afternoon made her whole body vibrate with anticipation, nerves, and anxiety.

She hoped she wouldn’t throw up. She put on her best sundress and cleaned the house, even though they had someone come in and do a deep cleaning a few days before. Dusting kept her mind busy.

When the doorbell rang, Abby and Morgan jumped up as if they had just won the lottery. Charlie followed slowly behind.

When they got to the front door, Charlie held up her hand. “We have no idea who this man really is. You two need to calm down.”

“Screw that,” Abby said, flinging the door open.

Brian stood on the doorstep in nice black slacks and a white button-up shirt.

“Hi,” he said, “If I got the address right, I’m your father.

” He ran his fingers through what little hair he had left.

He had wisps of light brown on the sides of his head but was completely bald on top, and he had lines on his face from a hard life.

Morgan remembered a more youthful father, with all his hair and no wrinkles etched around his eyes.

The last time he saw me, I was so young; I looked different, too, she thought.

“I’m Morgan.”

“And I’m Charlie or Charlotte.”

Abby stepped forward. “I’m Abby, the one you placed in a womb but never knew.”

“It’s so nice to meet all of you,” Brian said, then turned to Abby. “My grandmother’s name was Abby. Carla loved her, and she adored Carla.”

“Really? I was named after someone?” Abby said.

“Would it be okay if I hugged you all at some point?” Brian asked.

“Sure,” Abby said, and Morgan nodded.

They stepped towards Brian, but Morgan noticed Charlie was silent and didn’t move toward him. Clearly, Charlie had reservations, but for Morgan, hugging her father didn’t feel awkward; it felt natural.

“Why don’t we let Brian come inside,” Abby said, almost pushing her sisters out of the way so he could enter.

“Thank you.” Brian walked in and looked around. “Nice house. Is this where you grew up?”

“Yes,” Abby said. “And we wish we didn’t have to sell it.”

“If I could afford to buy it myself, I would,” Morgan said.

“But you live in Oregon,” Abby said.

“I’ve been toying with the idea of moving back here,” Morgan said. “Cal State Northridge has a great addiction counselor program, but it’s expensive to rent in Los Angeles. I might have to stay in Oregon and go to Portland State University.”

“Have you had any offers on the house yet?” Brian asked.

“No,” Morgan said. “The agent said it should go fast, though.”

“Can I get you something to drink?” Abby asked as they led Brian into the living room.

“Water would be great,” he said. He sat in a chair across from where Morgan and Charlie were sitting. Abby brought in four bottles of water and sat next to her sisters on the couch.

Sitting in a row across from Brian, the sisters looked like they were employers appraising his qualifications for a job.

Brian seemed uncomfortable in his dress clothes, and Morgan wondered if he had gotten dressed up for their first meeting.

After all, she and her sisters had looked their best. Morgan even put on more makeup than she normally wore during the day, and Abby and Charlie had spent last night picking out their outfits.

Abby curled her hair, and Charlie had on her favorite necklace and earrings.

“How was your flight?” Charlie asked just for something to break the silence.

“It was fine,” Brian said, staring at them. After a pause, he continued, “I can’t believe I’m in the same room with my daughters. I’m so grateful you let me come here. I didn’t think this would ever happen.”

“Since we were told you were dead, we never thought it would happen either,” Morgan said.

“What did you do when you realized we were all gone?” Abby asked.

“The first thing I did was call Carla’s mother.

I hoped that’s where Carla had gone, but Beverly had no idea where Carla was, and she was incensed that Carla hadn’t called her in a few days.

That same afternoon when I got served with divorce papers, I still thought your mom must be bluffing, but quickly, I realized she meant it. ”

“You must’ve been devastated,” Abby said.

Brian nodded. “I’d lost everyone I cared about at once. And then six months after you were gone, my dad passed away from a heart attack, and five months after that, my mother died in a car accident,”

“That’s so sad,” Charlie said.

“It took a while, but eventually I realized I was responsible for ruining my life, and I had to change. I moved to Connecticut, and got help. It’s been a struggle, but I haven’t gambled since.”

“I’m glad you got support,” Morgan said. “I’m in AA.”

“I hope you didn’t get the addiction gene from me,” Brian said.

“I might have, but more so, I think it was not having my father around,” Morgan said.

“If I could go back and change it all, I would,” Brian said. He picked up his bottle of water and chugged down half of it.

“Our mom made choices for you,” Abby said.

“But if he hadn’t lost all their money and put us in danger, she wouldn’t have left,” Charlie said.

“Charlie!” Abby said, loudly.

“It’s true. Mom had to take care of us all on her own,” Morgan said.

“It’s okay, Abby,” Brian said. “Charlie and Morgan are right.”

“We can’t change the past, and at this point, I just want my father in my life,” Abby said.

“Me too,” Morgan said.

Brian looked expectantly at Charlie.

After a moment, Charlie said, “I’m willing to try, but it might take me a little longer.”

“Take all the time you need,” Brian said. “I’m not going anywhere; I plan to make up for the last thirty years.”

Morgan launched into every question she’d thought of since she found out he was alive. She wanted to know his favorite color, what music he enjoyed, and what he did for a living. She needed to find a connection she could build on. Brian answered each question with specificity and details.

They talked for hours until the outside porch light clicked on.

“Do you want to stay for dinner?” Abby asked. “I could make something, although we only have eggs and bacon right now.”

“That’s sweet of you, but I’ll head back to the hotel. I don’t want to overstay my welcome on the first day.”

“Will you come for brunch tomorrow?” Abby asked.

“I’d love to,” Brian said, standing up. The sisters walked him to the door. “Would it be okay if I hugged you all again?”

“Sure,” Morgan said, stepping forward. Abby followed, with Charlie stepping up last. Brian’s expression looked as if he’d won the lottery.