Zoey, Let Me Explain

Before you start, this story takes some time to develop. Second, if you want to read from the beginning then please read: Zoey, please explain this, Go get em Zoey girl, and Zoey, come on. Because they don't have the same title with a chapter marker behind them, I can't get the web master to put them in a series.

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Not every story has a happy ending, at least for me it didn't seem that way. Zoey had won states and was heading off to the west coast and Stanford in the fall. She was excited but apprehensive about the move and being that far away from home and me. I assured her it would be fine and she would be fine.

Soon after we had returned from the state championships my wife decided that she wanted to be single and try to find someone else. She had threatened enough times that she was leaving and now she finally made good on her word. Only thing was she wasn't running away, I was getting kicked out. I didn't want to fight and be that guy so I left and moved in with Easelee.

He didn't mind having me there since his wife had past and he had a big house with nobody to share it with. He was starting to have health problems so it was nice for him to have somebody in the house with him just in case.

I knew my wife was going to leave me sooner or later but I always thought it would be later. I thought Cotton would be out of school before she would make that decision but she just couldn't wait anymore. I didn't really care since I found myself in love with Zoey. We spent that summer doing one of two things, golfing or screwing.

We had a lot of time for both since I had retired soon after the impending divorce was sprung on me. Zoey improved a lot over the summer and really had her game working for her when she left in the fall. She begged me all summer to come out there with her since I wasn't needed here anymore. I told her I would think about it after everything was settled and I knew how much money I had left over after I split it with the ungrateful Ex.

She headed out west in the fall and continued to beg me to come with her. I told her it would still be a little longer before I would know if I could or not. Money was tight and her mom was trying to suck me dry. She suggested that she quit school and try to get on the tour so she could make money and we could be together. I tried hard to keep her in school and told her things would work out.

Soon after that she stopped calling and wouldn't return my calls. I tried for 2 weeks before I got a single text message from her that said she was doing fine. That was the last I heard from her. I tried to ask her mom about it but she was just as cold as ever. I couldn't figure out what I had done wrong but I had that sinking feeling I had broken her heart somehow.

I checked the web and was able to keep tabs on her through that. She was still at college and finished in third at the national golf championships. It wasn't until July, when Easelee came in and told me to turn on the golf channel, that I saw Zoey. She was holding the open trophy after an exciting win and by an amateur no less. She dropped school and went on tour. I followed her via TV and watched her win and lose but I always cheered for her.

By the time she had won her second open, Easelee had too past and I was forced into a small apartment alone. It was all that I could barely afford. I quit golfing and became a shut in. I continued to follow Zoey on TV and sent her cards on the holidays but I never tried to contact her other than that. I still loved her and missed her but it was up to her to decide if she wanted a relationship with me. I never got anything back from her.

It was a sunny day in early June, another year had gone by, three since she had won states. I had decided that living like a slob wasn't cool anymore. I join an amateur tour and played competitively on the small stage. I had just returned from a long weekend away and was happy with my third win of the year. It didn't pay much but it was fun nonetheless. It got me back out there instead of being locked inside.

I opened the mailbox and took out my stack of mail that had piled up for the few days I was gone. I set them on the table and noticed one in particular. It had my address and a Malibu post mark on it. I scrambled to open it and Zoey's neat handwriting jumped off the paper and went straight to my heart.

I was called dad of course but it was better to be called that then nothing at all. The letter said we had unfinished business that needed to be resolved. She was taking the whole month of June off in preparation for the open in July. I could come out anytime and visit her until then. If I chose not to then this would be the last time I ever heard from her again. I was given an address to the house and nothing more. I booked a flight the next day for the second week in June. I had just enough money sitting around to do it.

I landed at the little airport in Burbank. I avoided LAX since I hated large amounts of people crammed into a small space. I paid a little more to fly in here but I figured it was worth the trouble. I walked down the flight ramp and onto the runway itself. It was unusual but I figured this way the way they did things before the planes parked at the gates like most places do.

I claimed my bag and caught a cab towards Malibu. I had the cabbie stop at a diner so I could get a bite to eat. I asked if he wanted to join me but he declined. He made money driving people around not eating with strangers so off he went.

I walked into the joint and was seated quickly. The hostess was a hot little number that was around 30 years old. I complimented her on how good she looked. She smiled but brushed it off. She must have heard that all the time I thought. The waitress was even better looking but a few years younger. Malibu definitely had some very good looking women in it. Zoey belonged here.

The waitress made small talk with me as I ate dinner. She must have felt sorry that I was sitting by myself. I told her why I was here and who Zoey was. She had never heard of her but was genuinely interested. She hoped I could figure everything out but if I couldn't she had a place for me to stay. I took her number and folded it up before putting it in my pocket.

People were good looking and friendly too I thought as I waited for her to return with my change. I called for a cab again and waited while continuing to talk to her. The place was starting to get busy but she still managed to chat.

I left her a nice tip and started for the open door. My cab had just pulled up. She wished me luck and thanked me for my business. I reached the thresh hold of the door and was stunned by a blonde headed beauty. I gawked as she smiled and tried to go left. I went right and we almost bumped. She tried to swerve back right as I tried to go left. My hands went to her hips and touched them lightly as I turned her back to the left and spun us around.

"Oh my," she giggled as we smiled at each other. "Such strong hands," she teased.

I looked at her intense blue eyes and natural hair. She was a beauty. A guy approached from over her shoulder and looked at me with interest.

"Thanks for the dance sweetheart," I said as I let her go.

"No, thank you," she flirted.

"I will take it from here pal," the guy said as he took her arm. "Wouldn't want to burn yourself on something this hot."

I took a hard look at him in a very quick way before turning. I wasn't violent so I didn't bother. The way he said it though, he wanted a fight if I was giving one. I walked out but glanced back. He had his tongue shoved down her throat and his hands cupped her ass marking his territory. Maybe the women were nice but the guys were dicks so far.

I shut the door on the cab told him where I was going. We started driving. The Pacific Ocean came into view as we wound down the highway. It was peaceful and beautiful. We drove for a little while until we reached the gate to the house. He stopped and dropped me off. I paid the fare and watched him speed away.

"Wow," I said aloud. A big copper gate weathered by the ocean air guarded the entrance to a narrow driveway flanked by tall palm trees. They were spaced evenly apart and in a perfectly straight line down the driveway. At the far end was a circle drive that circled a granite fountain. Flowers and shrubs were neatly planted all around and all were blooming. A mass of hedges and smaller palms hid a tall fence that guarded the edges of the property. This was my kind of place. I loved gardening back home but this put my stuff to shame. I could only see the front of the house but it was huge. I buzzed the speaker box and waited.

"Hello," said the voice. It was Hispanic in accent.

"I'm here to see Zoey," I spoke. I was expecting her so this took me off guard.

"She is not expecting anyone today and is currently busy working," the voice talked back.

"Oh," I said dumbfounded. "It's her father," I offered.

"Oh, si, yes," she said excited. "Step back to the X to I can see your face."

I turned around and saw an X on the pavement by the gate pillar. A camera hung above it. I walked and looked up at the camera. The gate buzzed and started to open.

"Ah," thanks I said as I picked my bag up and started walking.

I started up the long driveway towards the house. I admired the neatly cut grass and well-trimmed hedges that surrounded the property. I touched the zoysia grass gently and marveled at its smooth feel and deep green color.

I got about half way up when I saw a golf cart coming towards me. My heart jumped thinking it was her. It was her but not Zoey her. Miranda, the voice in the box, picked me up and drove me the rest of the way to the front. She was a mid-50s house keeper that had been working for Zoey for about a year.

I guess this is what money buys you I thought as we reached the door. Nice land, nice grass, nice trees, and nice hired help. Back home I was stuck in a one bedroom with a view of the trash receptacles on the first floor in a rundown neighborhood. This was living and living large.

"Fucking ex-wife," I cursed as I followed.

"Pardon," Miranda asked?

"Oh, nothing" I groaned. "This is very nice, much better than what I have."

"Si," she agreed.

The outside was nothing compared to the inside. The door opened into a foyer tiled with black slate tiles. The sharp white lines gave it striking contrast. It opened up into the living room and dining room behind that. Left went around to a TV room and connected to that was the kitchen in a big loop. You could reach the kitchen from the TV room or the dining room. Right was an office and two guest bedrooms. The far back right off the dining room had a set of stairs that went up to the master bedroom.

Miranda led me out to the pool deck. I was swept away by the view. The pool deck sat overlooking the ocean on top of a steep cliff. The deck surrounded the pool on three sides but was left open in back. To the left of the pool and deck were more landscaped areas. Farther out near the edge of the lot and cliff was a green. Zoey had an actual green installed in the backyard. I was envious to say the least.

A puff of sand flew up mixed in with a golf ball. It landed gently and rolled to a stop 3 feet away from a flag stick. I could see the top of a head as it watched the ball.

"She is working on her short game," Miranda said. "Please don't disturb until she is finished."

I watched as another ball shot out and landed. It bumped the other ball softly.

"What can I get you to drink," Miranda asked?

"Water is fine," I replied.

I still hadn't seen Zoey so my focus was out on the green. Miranda left to get water.

I walked to the edge of the deck and looked around at her little piece of paradise. It was beautiful here. A cool breeze floated gently from the ocean. The sun was sinking slowly into the ocean. I looked and watched another ball tap the flag stick. She was good. I turned and saw a long straight away and noticed the tee box at the far end of it. She had a whole hole in her backyard.

"Sir, here is your water," Miranda said.

"Please, call me John," I said.

"No, it is not polite to speak to a guest that way," she countered. "I call you Mr. Lewis," she asked?

"If you must," I relented.

"Please, come sit, she be done shortly," she ordered.

I went and sat on the bench overlooking the ocean and waited. I was tired as I sat. It was nearly 10 pm east coast time, way past my bedtime.

I must have drifted off. I awoke to Miranda setting a bottle of wine and two glasses on the small table. I looked quickly towards the green and didn't notice any golf balls on the green. The sun was almost touching the water now. Tiki torches flickered around the pool deck.

"She go to change," Miranda said. "She be out shortly."

I turned towards the house and saw her. For the first time I saw her in over three years. My heart leapt as she opened the slider and started out. She wore a black bikini covered by a long sheer cover, buttoned at the front by a single button. It caught the wind a flowed behind her softly as she walked with confidence towards me. Her eyes were covered by a big pair of black sunglasses. This made me nervous since I couldn't read her eyes. I remained seated until she reached the cushioned bench seat.

I stood and she gave me a gentle hug. I didn't squeeze to hard either. I wanted to feel her out and try to get back on her good side. She was guarded for sure.

"Hi dad," she started. "How have you been?"

"Um," I stuttered.

I didn't know what to say. Do I tell her hurt, crushed, in pain, lost, regretful, confused? Do I lie and tell her wonderful, great, perfect, fantastic. Or should I just come out with it. I'm living in a shit hole and everybody I ever cared about has left me except Cotton. He wouldn't even stop by if he didn't feel the need to. What the fuck happened to us? I decided to turn it back on her.

"Not as well as you are," I said softly. I made sure I had no hate or venom in my words. "You look wonderful too."

"Thank you, dad," she said. "Sit please," she offered.

Wow my little girl was polite and refined like a proper woman. What the fuck did California do to her I wondered?

I sat with her on the bench and glanced her over from head to toe. She looked just as gorgeous as she did the last time I saw her. She had filled out just a little but she still looked stunning. I tried not to stare too long.

"Wine," she asked?

"Sure," I replied.

She poured mine halfway and hers full. She took half of it down in one slug. I watched but sipped mine. I waited for her to decide where this was going. I sipped a little more and stared at her nose. I couldn't see her eyes still but I knew she had something to say. She starting drinking hard again and tipped the glass vertical to get the last drops from it.

"I'm getting married," she blurted after finishing her glass.

She was already pouring another one. I choked a little but kept the liquid in my mouth. I finished mine and held it out for a refill. She topped it off and waved her hand back towards the house. Miranda hustled over another bottle already open.

She took her glasses off and set them on the table. I looked into her eyes but still hadn't said anything.

"I'm getting married," she repeated.

Her voice said yay but her eyes, those deep brown eyes, glowing in the sinking sun said something different. They still had hope for us, me and her, but she was so unsure and hurt by something I did.

"Congratulations," I said.

I leaned and gave her another soft hug. Her skin felt good and the wine had me a little buzzed already. Not drinking for 3 years did that to you though.

"You're not upset," she asked?

"I just want you to be happy," I sighed.

"Who is he," I asked quickly?

"My caddy," she said.

She was still a little shocked that I didn't flip out. I was dying on the inside but I couldn't show her that. The chance of us was fading faster than the sun in the Pacific so I was just hoping to be a part of her life.

"Oh," was all I could muster. I finished my glass and was quickly poured another.

"What's the story," I asked? "How did you two meet?" I was looking for something to end the awkward silence that the ocean waves couldn't drown out.

"Well," she started.

I listened with pain and mostly drowned out the story of how they met when she got in a tour event as an amateur. She seemed happy about him but something inside me said she wasn't happy. She talked on for a while about him before she stopped to sip and refill her glass. I was hurt and the sting was only dulled by the wine. He was where I wanted to be, with Zoey. I avoided another silent moment and asked another question.

"Where is he," I asked? "Do I get to meet him?"

"Of course, why do you think I asked you out here," she said. "He is taking care of his mom, she is sick with cancer and he goes over there to care for her. That's part of the reason I took time off from the tour."

"Oh," I replied. The whole idea of all this stung. The pain must have been obvious on my face.

"Just, oh," she asked?

"What's the other reason you took off," I asked? "You pregnant?"

"No," she said. "Not yet, by next year maybe. I don't know though, I'm hitting my stride out there and I don't want to take that much time off. I am resting for now and practicing and letting him have time with his mom."

That hit hard too. Duh you dummy, they live together. You don't think they are sleeping in separate beds and not screwing do you? Idiot!

"Yeah," you are doing good," I said fighting back my emotions. "I watch every time I can."

She smiled. I loved that smile and had missed it so much. The smile, the wine, her beauty, the pain of what she had just told me and the memories of us from 3 years ago flooded my mind. I was in a haze and reacted by letting my emotions take over.

"God, you look good too," I blurted.

I place my hand on her leg above the knee and squeezed gently. Her skin was so soft and tan. She felt good to my touch.

"California certainly has changed you," I continued. My tone was clear and she knew what I meant.

"Dad, don't," she snapped quickly! Her hand tossed mine off quickly. She stood and faced me.

"Don't you dare come out here and try this. You don't know how badly you hurt me. I gave myself to you and you hurt me so bad," she cried.

Tears filled her eyes as she spoke. Her emotion was raw and cut deep. I could do nothing but listen. I knew this was coming just didn't think it would be so fast.

"I thought we had something and you ruined it," she croaked.

I wasn't sure what it was that I ruined. Guess there's only one way to find out. My emotions continued to drive my mind. I meant to be more tactful but it didn't come out that way.

"I ruined it," I piped. "You stopped communications with me so I'm not sure how I ruined it."

"What, was it the moving thing," I asked quickly? "I told you after I took care of things at home I would find a way to get out here."

She quickly interjected with pain. "Take care of things at home dad? What, you had to end it with your other girlfriend so you could settle for your daughter."

I gave a perplexed look. I had no idea what she was talking about. I never cheated on my ex, well, except with Zoey.

"Mom told me what she heard," Zoey cried. Tears ran down her face now. God I almost wanted to cry seeing her like this.

"Your mom told you," I asked more than stated? It was not a good choice of words, but I couldn't believe what I was hearing. My ex-wife was a liar.

"Yeah, mom heard you on the phone one night talking to some fucking girl," Zoey barked. "I know you are a cheating bastard and to think I was stupid enough to think you loved me." She sniffled hard.

"Phone call," I asked? "I have never." Zoey cut me off again.