We Aren't So Different, You and Me

Walking up the block, I noticed my dad's car parked in front of the Ways' house. I picked up the pace and ran towards his car.

"Daddy!" I sobbed, crashing into him. He knotted his fingers in my hair and sighed, kissing my forehead.
"Hey, baby."

I kept crying, letting all of my emotions out. We stood outside for a while, just enveloped in each other. He seemed a little distant, but it was understandable. We haven't see each other in over 7 years. But it felt like he didn't want to be here...

Soon, we were all sitting in the Ways' living room. An awkward silence fell over us as every one got introduced. Sheila, my stepmom, clung to my father as if she thought I was going to take him away from her. I hated her when they first got married and I hated her even more now. Couldn't she find it in her little black heart to at least try and let him grieve too? Of course not.

"Well, Jace. It's been a while," Don started off.
"Yeah. I've been doing a lot of business lately."
"How's that going for you?"
"It's going good, going good. Sheil and I are working on getting some more representatives to work down in the Everglades."
"How wonderful," Donna chimed in. She looked up at the clock on the wall and sighed. "She should be here soon, Don."
"Alright, I'll go put the dogs out in the garage," he groaned, getting up from the couch.

I wasn't sure what they were talking about but any attempt at trying to figure it out was halted by the little girl from earlier that morning coming up to me and sitting on the floor in front of me.

"I like your boots," her little voice chimed as her fingers traced the lace pattern.
"Thanks," I mumbled.
"Daddy says I can only wear zombie shoes and boots. He doesn't like the girly shoes Mommy buys me."
"Bandit!" Gerard laughed. "That was supposed to be our secret."
"I'm sorry, Daddy," she giggled. Mikey started to chuckle a bit too.

There was a knock on the door and everyone seemed to hold their breath. Donna finally got up and answered the door, letting a woman with thick brown hair and a business suit in the house.

"Hi, you must be Cathy Peters!"
"And you must be Donna Way?"
"Yes, yes. Come in, come in."

Cathy or whoever looked around and smiled as she greeted everyone. She sat down in the middle of the room and took out a few files from her briefcase.

She looked at me and smiled sadly. "You must be Taylor, right?"
"Yeah..."
"Your mom had worked with me a few months before her accident. I didn't understand why but now..."
"It's okay."
"What I have here is her will. Understandingly, she left a lot of her things in your possession. Case in point, her car, trusts, property, etc. However, she left you in the hands of...." She paused to pull out another sheet of paper. "She left you in the hands of a 'Gerard Arthur Way, in the hopes that he will finally get to know his daughter.'"

Wait...
What?

Notes