Janet's POV

Now in the scary movies, when a black figure is headed your way you run the opposite way. But in my case, my feet felt glued to the grassy ground as it grew closer and closer. I held my breath only for the face to finally reveal itself to be Mr. Velour.

The man who had shown up unannounced at our house a few weeks ago. He looked casual, dressed in grey sweat and a black t-shirt. His pepper-speckled hair sat floppy on his head. It looked as if he had been for a run, but since when did he live in our neighborhood?

"I didn't know you lived around here," I said accordingly as I swayed lightly on the swing. I was still embarrassingly drenched in cherry slushy much to my dismay. How would I explain to anyone that I had been publicly embarrassed in front of the student body?

He sat on the next swing beside me, his head cast down. He didn't say anything nor did he wear that cheesy smile that he did before. Apart from I felt compelled to apologize for my outburst that last time he had come to visit.

But I wouldn't be me if I did that

"Helen told me she spoke to you. Said you agreed to sit down with us finally...to talk about what happened". He sat up in the swing and faced me, his eyes seemed too sad or some sort as if he didn't know what to say.

I too didn't know what to say. I only agreed to meet because I initially wanted them to go away. But now some weird part of me felt compelled to know more. It was the least I could do before I went on with my life.

" I know nothing about what happened to my birth mother. The orphanage said she died giving birth to me" I said with a shrug. It was hard to read him at that moment. He always looked cheerful and happy but for some reason, he seemed emotionless.

He looked to be lost in thought as he too began to sway back and forth on the swing. My phone kept vibrating and so I reluctantly turned it off. He cleared his throat a bit still refusing to look me in the eye.

"I'm so sorry Janet. If I... If I had known. I swear...the minute I found out you were my daughter... I". His voice cracked as he held back some tears. I too felt a large lump in my throat. He sniffed softly swallowing deeply.

" Your mother left me many letters. But we weren't together anymore, so I never found any reason to read them". He solemnly cleared his throat as if he was at a loss for words. Not once had I ever thought about finding my birth family.

I assumed that I didnt have one or that they all lived their own life. I was content in knowing that I would never meet them. But now as I lightly swayed on the swing next to the man who claimed to be my birth father.

I suddenly felt overwhelmed. And without a word, I got up from the swing and trudged out of the park. He didnt turn to stop me or protest, no he just let me go.

I walked the rest of the way home praying to god Ms. Freckles was not home. She'd ask way too many questions, questions I wouldn't know how to answer. And to my lucky stars, she wasn't home yet and so I quickly grabbed a shower.

I didnt check my phone until after I pulled my pajama pants on. So many missed calls and furious texts from Erin and I knew I didnt want to deal with another headache tonight. So I closed my phone and sprawled out on my carpeted floor.

I grabbed the one thing that brought me solace.

A torn picture of California.