I Introduce The Selfish Machine

My jaw dropped. No, this isn't right. My father is dead, he died in the war. I pinched the bridge of my nose. I need a drink.
"Uh, you probably have the wrong Piper. You see, my father died in the line of duty." I said, searching through the cabinets for a wine glass. There were none. I sighed and grabbed Tony's Storm Trooper Mug, filling it to the top in wine.
"Your Piper Kristianson, right?" The man claiming to be my father asked.
"In about six month it'll be Perry, but yes." I said, chugging the wine.
There was a pause, then he spoke. "You're getting married?" He asked softly.
"Yes, I am. But, anyway, I doubt you're my father, you probably have the wrong Piper, so I'll just let you go-"
"No. No, don't hang up. I-I can prove it to you."
I sighed. "I doubt that, but try."
"Your birthday is January 14, 1988."
"Lucky guess." I took a bigger drink. Could this be my father?
"You were the only girl on your little league team."
I chugged more wine until the mug was empty. I just grabbed the bottle. "Whatever, but that-"
"Before I left, I gave you a charm bracelet with five charms on it. A 14 since I missed your 14th birthday, a Star for the Star Wars movies, Pizza, our favorite meal, and a Football, because we were die hard Ravens fans. And finally, a cat-"
"Because you thought it was cute." I said softly, finishing his sentence. I felt my eyes start to water, but they stopped with a drink of wine.
"Is that enough proof for you?"
I stood in my kitchen, the bottle of wine in one hand and my phone in the other, literally shaking. The charms hit the bottle, making a loud noise, but I didn't care. I'm so emotional right now, and I can't tell if that emotion is joy...or anger. "Dad? Dad what the hell!" I shouted, dropping the bottle of wine. The glass cut my bare foot, but I didn't even care.
"Heck, Piper Lynn."
"I'm 24 years old, I can say hell if I want to, and damn it, I want to. What the hell? Why did they tell us you were dead!" I cried, trying not to scream.
He sighed. Why the hell is he sighing? I didn't just pop up out of the freaking blue on him. "I wanted to tell you sooner than this, I did. But I couldn't. When I was shipped over, I thought I was going to Iraq. Instead, they took me to Britain. I was confused, but didn't ask questions. I soon became a spy, which is out of my training, but I had to agree, and I needed to get the inside on the terrorist attacks. They told me that this job was dangerous, and that if they ever caught on, my family would be dead. So, I faked my death to save you girls. I was still alive, but to protect you, you didn't need to know that. Why do you think it was a close casket?" I tried not to cry, I tried to understand, but I was just too damn mad. "I went inside al-Qaeda, pretending to be a member and help them, but, they soon caught on. They shipped me home and put me under witness protection. I'm stuck under witness protection until I die, but I'm moving to San Diego, and I just wanted to get in contact with you. You needed to know."
I rubbed my face with my free, sticky hand. "I'm trying to understand dad, but do you even get home hard this has been on me?" I asked, not even holding back the tears.
"Of course, baby-"
"No, you don't! I never ever wanted to be in love with anyone again. Yeah, I'm getting married, to the best men on the planet, but it took a lot for me to actually love him. Why? Why? Because the only man I ever loved was you! You! And I thought you were dead and I was destroyed. You messed me up, dad. I just- I can't believe this."
"Piper Lynn, I'm so-"
"I don't want to hear any of your damn apologizes. Just-just tell me why you agreed."
He sighed. "To keep you safe." He whispered, and then I realized, he was crying too.
"Do you even know what life has been like here? Mom's remarried, Leanna had a baby, oh, and bye the way, she's also dead."
My dad gasped. "What?"
"You would know that if you had never left us!" I said. I was tried of trying to hide my feelings. "I was ruined, we were all ruined! Then, we get better and Lee dies! Then, as soon as my life starts to get back in order-" I couldn't. I just couldn't. I feel on the ground, laying in the wine and broken glass, and just cried. I cried. I cried for the first time in the longest time. I cried so hard I thought I was going to choke. The wine started to burn the cuts from the glass, but I didn't care. I just cried, releasing every emotion I've had since I was 14. "Daddy..Daddy why?" I asked, choking out the words.
He sniffed. "Because I loved you, and I still love you. Piper, I'm so sorry, but I will make this up to you okay?" He said. He was crying too.
I agreed to him saying he'll make it up, then we exchanged goodbyes. Once the phone was hung up, I tossed it out of the kitchen so it wouldn't get soaked in wine, blood, and tears.
All I've ever wanted was my dad back. Now, he's back. Why am I so angry?
I closed my eyes, letting everything out. I love my dad, but can I actually forgive him? Maybe I'm overreacting, but he "died" on us and never even bothered to call until now? I gripped on to my chest, right above my heart, and let out a scream. Just let all the stress end! I put the other hand on my face, sticky with wine or blood, I don't know and I didn't care. I just want to be happy again.

Notes