Overprotective

~36~A Very Long Explanation

We all looked around to see who would answer the door. Jacob finally got up to answer it. I just sat there waiting to start eating.

Justin didn't even care and started eating anyway to which Jason slapped him upside the head for. "But I am hungry!" Justin whined when Jason glared at him.

Jacob came back with a confused face. "Um there's no one there," he said taking his seat beside me again. Ok? "Can we eat now?" Justin asked already holding his fork in his hand.

"Sure," Jason said. The first five minutes were completely silent with only the sound of the forks clinking and chewing. I kept looking up at my dad to see that he was hardly eating at all. I don't blame him, this is really awkward.

"So Lisa-"

"It's Annalisa to you," Justin interrupted I lightly kicked his leg from under the table and he rolled his eyes. "Right, sorry," he said. "Why do you really want to be here?" Dylan asked staring at our dad before he could ask his question.

I almost choked on my food. Any blunter and he could kill by touching him. "What do you mean?" Dad asked.

"I mean, don't you think this is a little random, and late might I add?"

Everyone looked towards Dad. I saw him visibly gulp. "It is because you wanted to, right?" I asked looking at him. He looked at me. He almost seemed hesitant to answer. "O-of course I want to be here. I came here because I want to be in your lives again."

"That's what you have been saying since you got here," Dylan said.

"It's true!"

"Well, I don't think so," Justin intervened.

"Okay, okay. can we all calm down?" Jason said as Dylan and Justin were getting agitated. "Look, Jonathan, I think we can all agree that you owe a pretty big explanation," Jason said. Dad sighed. "I don't even know where to start," he mumbled running a hand through his dark hair.

"How about when you stopped being a father. Or was that too long ago to remember?" Justin asked glaring at him. No one said anything. At this point, we were all done eating except Dad who barely touched his food.

"You won't understand. I-its complicated."

"So you're saying there is a reason why you acted the way you acted?" I asked looking up at him. "Yes...and No," he said looking down. "That doesn't even make sense," Justin mumbled. "I mean there was a reason that I turned the other way when your mother was abusing you, but at the same time my pride got in the way," he said.

"Must be one huge pride," Dylan laughed bitterly. "So what's the reason?" Jacob asked. Dad opened his mouth then closed it again. "I-I can't tell you guys."

"You have got to be kidding me," Dylan said throwing his hands in the air. "I knew this would be worthless," Justin said about ready to leave the table when Dad stopped him. "Wait, there is a reason I can't tell you. I would if I could," he explained.

"Yeah, I am sure. It's like you would eat the cake if you could, you would go to the shop if you could, you would tell your children the real reason why watched them get abused if you could. Cause that's all in the same category right?" Justin said. By the end of it, he was fuming.

Jacob was about to carry him outside if he had to. "No, I am fine," Justin said sitting back in his chair just when Jacob was about to grab him. "I am really sorry you guys had to go through that at such a young age-"

"Well sorry doesn't cut it," Jacob interrupted. For the first time in a while, Jacob seemed genuinely angry. He is usually the calm and collected one. The 'Yoda' as some put it.