Question

The last thing I remember saying to my dad before the fight was "The fricking TV is too loud!". Everything after that is a blur. I suppose that we were yelling a lot, because Mr. Laybird knocked on the door to check if we were ok. The funny thing is that neither of us can remember what was on the TV so obnoxious that we had to fight about it. Contrary to belief, we don't fight that much. Actually, we rarely even talk. Well... I rarely talk to him. He tries to engage with me, but usually I shut him down. I still can't explain why. Mom said it's because I am trying to form a shell around me. Still can't explain what that means to be honest.

"Sorry Mr. Laybird, we will try to be quieter." I said with a lot of confidence.
"Funny how you said, 'will try' and not 'will be'." Mr. Laybird said with a little giggle. "I am joking! I know what you meant. Don't worry kid, everyone fights from time to time. Remember my wife, Emily? She used to sa-"
"If people fight, that's a good sign, because that means that they care about the other person. Yeah, I know. She always said right things at the right time, just like you now!" I interrupted him because I knew what he was about to say. Mr. Laybird talks predictably, especially when he quotes his wife. Mrs. Laybird was a great person. I was fond of her. Sadly, she passed away a year ago. Nothing tragic or anything, she was just old and sick for some time. She is a bit older than Mr. Layton. That reminds me, I should add Mr. Layton's birthday to the birthday app that I downloaded.

Mr. Layton then asked my dad to go the local cafe to talk to him. Honestly, to this day I don't know what they talked about. Probably about our fight. I doubt that my dad listened to him. Not that he doesn't respect Mr. Layton, he just thinks he is always right and respectfully declines any help or advice. I kind of get it. No one knows about your life except you. You are your worst enemy, or something like that.

Couple of hours have passed. I was sitting in the dark thinking about the fight. 
"It lives rent free in my head."  I said out loud. Sometimes it feels like I miss a part of me. Like some key memories are missing or that I miss some skill that I should be good at. I can't explain it.
"Maybe I should talk to Persi about it tomorrow. I bet he will say something like "Well learn that skill!", completely missing the point."
He usually focuses on one thing in the conversation and then he realizes that he doesn't know what to say. That's why I like him. He is a good friend. He has a lot of imperfections, yet he is successful and really kind. Maybe he is a little bit too tall. I can't maintain eye contact when I talk to him. 

It was starting to get dark and still no signs from my dad.
"Well, who cares?" I asked myself like a lunatic.
In that exact moment the door opened. It was my dad. I don't know why, but I felt relief. It's not like he is going to disappear like mom did. 
"Well, well, well... Are you finally going to apologize?" I asked with a snarky smile.
"I am sorry." He said it so casually.
"It's not supposed to be that easy. At least say it sarcastically." 
"Why would I do that?" Again, he said that so casually, almost like he was confused.
"Because we had a fight, and you want to make me apologize instead?" I said with a twitch in an eye.
"I met Persi at the cafe. Didn't know he worked there. He said hi." My dad said while he was pouring another cup of coffee. Sounded like he didn't know the answer to the question.
"Yeah, for some time. You didn't answer the question though. Did you?"
"Again, with your questions... When will you stop doing that?" Dad was referring to my tendency to count how many times someone answers my questions. It was a habit of mine since I was a child. I tend to value people based on how they answer my questions. You can seem like the dumbest person around but if you successfully answer my question, I respect you.
"Here is a question for you..." My dad continued. "Why do you tell people that mom disappeared? You know that she didn't have a choice."
"Mom left me. That is the only thing that matters."
"Not everything is about you. There are people and their stories that live in your surroundings, and you are not even aware of them. Some of them maybe lost a loved one, some are trying to find themselves. Maybe they usually smile at everyone but today... only today they feel sad. No particular reason. They just feel something. That is something you need to learn. Not everyone is programmed and have answers to every problem. Maybe they need to think about a lot and then give couple of dumbest answers you have ever heard, but on their third try they actually make some progress." Dad said in one go, like he didn't need to breathe. You can almost see pictures he was imagining while saying his monologue.
"I a lot of words with no meanings."  I thought but didn't say anything.
"Listen... I said I am sorry about the TV. There is no need to continue that discussion."
"Fine." I said with no enthusiasm whatsoever. "Did Persi mention anyone while talking to you?"
"We weren't talking that much. He didn't mention anybody. He only said to say hi and that you should call him tomorrow."
"Will do."
"Also... try not to worry Mr. Layton. He is a family friend of ours and he cares about you like his own grandchild. You know he was the first guest at our cabin when mom and I bought it."
"Oh, yeah. I forgot about that place. Didn't we try to sell it after mom left?" I asked with some curiosity.
"We had some offers, but in the end, I decided not to sell it. We should go when mom returns."  Dad said naively. Like I would go with her after all that she did to us.
"Sure. If that happens."
"Will you stop that? She will come back when she finds her peace." He really said this with a lot of sadness. "Will you do me a favour?"  He asked.
"Depends on what it is."
"Can you go to the village tomorrow and clean up the cabin a little. You can take the car. It's a 30-minute drive. I will give you cash for gas and some snacks." 
"Not much of a favour if you are paying me to do it." I said the funniest thing I can come up with on the spot. It wasn't that funny. I even put on a fake smile.
"Who knows, maybe you will find something interesting in the house?"
"What are you referring to? "
"I don't know... or I am just not telling you... Who knows?" Dad answered mysteriously.
"0 points answer." I sighed.