After meeting Cal, my life became much easier, and most importantly much happier. I began talking to people again, shocking my classmates, and even managed to make a few friends. Cal came over to my house almost everyday after school, where the two of us would either play video games, watch a movie, or sometimes just talk. Overall, life was great. I was beginning to pick the pieces of my broken spirit and with Cal's help, fuse them together again. To this day, I still remember those few months as the happiest time in my life.

Unfortunately, they were short lived.

The first time I heard about Her was from my dad. He came home from work one day and sat me down in my bedroom, explaining that he had met a woman he really liked. He then asked my permission to date Her.

At first, I was angry and confused. My dad dating a woman who wasn't my mother? How dare he disrespect his deceased wife, and my mom like that? I asked him this in a slightly less aggressive way, and he sighed, putting his face in his hands.

"Bree, I loved your mother," he said, "and always will love her more than anything in this world, but she's gone now. She's been gone, and I think it is time I found someone else. Not move on, I will never move on, her memory will always stay with me, but it's time I find another partner. I can't raise you alone, and I need a companion, B. God never meant for man to be lonely. I hope you can understand that."

I stared at my father for a long time. I saw the deep lines of worry and sadness that were creased in his face, that look of misery and heartbreak that would never really leave him, and I made up my mind.

"Of course I understand daddy," I said, tears brimming in my eyes, "I just want you to be happy."

My dad then embraced me. We sat on my bed hugging and crying into each other's shoulders, but the tears weren't only because we were sad. We knew we would always be there for each other, and that our bond was strengthened because of our shared loss.

A week after this conversation, or should I say annoucement, my dad arranged a date for all of us; him, Her, and me. I couldn't decide if I was excited or angry about the meeting, but tried to stay happy for my father's sake. Each day after school that week, Cal would come over and I would pour everything I kept bottled up out to him. He would sit, and listen, occasionally offering advice or his opinion on the matter, and I would take it. Once again, I thanked God for Cal.

The night of the date finally arrived. I dressed up in my nicest dress, and stood in front of the mirror of my bathroom fixing my hair for at least an hour. I was nervous, which added to the stress of getting ready. When I finally finished painting, grooming, and polishing myself, my dad and I climbed into the car and set off to meet Her.

While we drove, my dad attempted to describe what She was like.

"She's beautiful, " he said, smiling a bit, "And Her personality is just amazing! She is the sweetest woman I've ever met."

At that sentence, I couldnt help feeling angry. My mother was the sweetest person he had ever met. I ignored it and listened to the rest of his description in silence.

We arrived at the restaurant my dad had placed a reservation at. We checked in, and sat down at one of the tables, draped in a crisp, white tablecloth. My dad fidgeted nervously, and checked his watch every minute or two. He sat facing the entrance of the building so he could see when She walked in, while I sat across from him playing with the silverware, bored out of my mind.

I felt it when She entered the building.

Even before my dad's face lit up as She walked through the door, I felt Her. A strange, indescribable feeling came over me. It made shivers run up and down my spine, and my eyebrows draw together in confusion. I turned around in my chair, and saw Her.

She was gorgeous. I stared at Her, almost in awe. She was the perfect height, not too tall, not too short. Her body was stunning, a slim, but curvy figure, highlighted by the skin-tight dress she wore. Her lips were pink and naturally full, and Her long, wavy, blonde hair fell luxuriously down Her slim shoulder, but the first thing I noticed about Her was Her eyes.

They were bright green, and something about them made me uncomfortable. People were turning in their seats trying to get a better look at Her. I turned back around to face my father, knowing this was the woman he was waiting for, but wanting to make sure. He watched Her walk towards us, his eyes glowing, and I know She was the one he'd been talking about.

She approached our table, smiling sweetly. My father stood up and hugged Her, then pulled Her chair out for Her and She sat down, turning to face me.

"Hello! You must be Brianna. I've so much about you!" She said. Her voice was sappy and too kind. She smiled at me, and extended Her hand. I shook it uncomfortably, not saying anything.

For the rest of that night I sat in silence, watching in disgust as She flirted and crooned over my father, who seemed to love it. I was not included in any conversation, or asked any questions about myself. Once or twice my father would try to include me, but when he did, She would quickly change the subject. I didn't like it. I didn't like Her. Something about Her was off, and She made me uncomfortable. That feeling that had taken hold of me when She walked in never left, and grew in intensity as the night progressed. I hoped that my dad would date Her for a few weeks and then become bored and move on, but from the way he was acting I didn't think that was going to be the case. Unfortunately I was right.

My dad and I drove home in mostly silence that night. He was still in a trance from dinner, and I was staring out the window, brooding. I kept thinking of that feeling I had felt around Her. I couldn't get over it. Something was wrong with Her, something was off, and my dad didn't see it. It scared me. My dad sighed happily from the driver's seat.

"Oh, Bree, Isn't She great?" he gushed. I rolled my eyes and didn't answer.
"She's just so sweet. I think I'm in love, Bree. I really like Her."

Again, I didn't say anything. My dad sighs again, this time in a more serious tone.

"Look, I know what you're thinking, B, and I just need you to remember the conversation we had..."

"I do remember," I snap, "I really do want you to be happy dad, but don't you think there's something a little... off about Her? I got this feeling, I don't know what it was, She just made me uncomfortable."

"Bree, it was probably just nerves," my dad replied impatiently. "You miss your mother, I know, and it's weird to see me with another woman, that's probably all it was."

"But dad, you don't understand. She seems too nice, like She's forcing it."

"Bree, I don't want to talk about this. I'm telling you, it was just nerves. You'll get used to Her." My dad said impatiently.

"But..."

"I said I don't want to talk about it!" he exclaimed. I glared at him, then went back to brooding and staring out the window. Maybe he's right, I thought. Maybe I'm just not used to seeing my dad with other women. Maybe I would get used to it.

I highly doubted it then, and rightfully so, because I never got used to Her. I was right the whole time.

Something was off.

(Artwork by Stephan Koidl)