Edited by luvtaread
*
It was the rest of his life, specifically that which involved Leah, that spun out of control in the years following. As he feared she became more and more rebellious against her mother. It was to be expected as Leah could be as stubborn as her mother in wanting to have her way. Katy was of some help in keeping the teenaged Leah from doing something rash, but they all knew it was only a matter of time before Leah went digging.
Sure enough Leah used a freshman year family tree project as an excuse to enquire heavily into her father. Until then they had always been able to appease her with a basic cover story and minimal information about her mysterious dad. When the precocious teen threatened to start calling doctor's offices to find her father if they did not put her in touch with him, things got rather tense. Brandon resolved the issue by getting a special phone for her and Kara to call and giving them the number saying that their dad had given it to him should they ever need it.
The move worked and Brandon was able to carefully defuse the situation posing in his role as the girl's dad. He had to admit once the bitterness left their voices and the why questions were answered, that it was good to be called dad by his girls again.
Over the years the rebellious Leah continued to defy her mother and raise issues. One of the biggest arose when Mel forbid Leah from going to her Junior Prom. Katy and Leah both appealed to Brandon for help, but in different way of course. In a tough spot Brandon came to the decision not to circumvent Mel's order and therefore had to, as Leah's dad, tell her that it was Mel's call.
However, like Leah and Katy he believed that Mel was being unfair and in a heated discussion, managed to talk Mel down and convince her that letting Leah go was the better in the long run. He reminded Mel that Leah was becoming her own woman and Mel needed to Leah develop her own sense of judgment or she would never become a healthy adult.
"Let her learn on making the small decisions so that when it comes to the big ones, she'll hopefully make the right ones." He remembered saying.
In the end logic won the day and Mel revoked her ban. Leah was surprised, but pleased, and had a wonderful time. Brandon never got credit for his intervention, well other than a fun night with Katy.
Things were fine that that for a few months. That is until an evening toward the end of the summer. Brandon was working late finishing up some paperwork when Leah came in to see him. Mel had gotten her a job at the company as a kind of permanent temp for the summer. Leah did odd jobs as needed around the place. Brandon was sure she would have preferred other work, but Mel had insisted that it would look good for colleges and on a resume.
Brandon heard a knock and looked up to see his eldest daughter standing there and smiling said, "Hey Leah, your mom working late again?"
"Yep, and since she won't let me have my own car, I'm stuck here." Brandon let that one go, as that was a mother-daughter issue he wanted no part in.
"Ah I see, well I'm actually in the middle of something so I can't be of help either kiddo."
"That's okay at least your department had cool stuff to look at, mom's is just finance. You know charts and stuff."
"Well thanks," Brandon said with a smile, "but just boring paperwork today, sorry no cool programs to look at today."
It was right about then that a phone began ringing. Brandon almost froze when he realized which phone it was, it was the special phone that only two people called, and one was sitting next to him. Fortunately, that phone and his usual phone were nearly identical. He answered and after a brief chat with Kara, hung up.
"Who was that?" Leah asked when he was done.
"Annie," Brandon lied quickly.
She seemed to accept it for a second then said, "You're lying Mr. Metcalf, now I'll ask you again who was that." Leah said in a cold tone before waiting expectantly for the answer. Brandon's blood ran cold he was busted and he knew it. When he didn't respond Leah said, "You know what I think Mr. Metcalf?" She asked glaring at him, her face hard and unforgiving, "I think that was my sister Kara. I think that if I took my phone out and dialed the number you gave me for my father, I'd get you."
"That's absurd Leah, why would you think that?" Brandon tried to say calmly all the while knowing she had him. Leah at last knew the secret or part of it anyway.
"I know that because I told her to call our dad's phone at exactly this time. So, Mr. Metcalf what are you doing with the phone that is
supposed
to belong to my father?"
She waited patiently as Brandon tried to respond. He tried to think of a response as the world was tumbling in on him. The day he long feared had come and it had come on Leah's terms not his. He looked up into her eyes that were so like Mel's and he tried to explain. He opened his mouth but nothing came out.
"That's what I thought, thank you for the empty words and the lies. Some advice though, next time you get talked into impersonating someone's dad, please remember that the girls on the other end, they think it's real." Tears formed in her eyes, "They think that you actually care about them and that you love them!" Seeing his little girl in tears and in this much pain was the last straw. This had happened one time too many and now that she knew the truth only harm could come from not telling her now.
Damn the promise to Mel and the consequences, he was going to tell her the truth. Be completely open with her for the first time in fourteen years. As she ran for the door he shouted out to her.
"But it was true! All of it! Every word I said to you and your sister on that phone was the absolute truth!" he said to her retreating back. She stopped and when she turned her tears were dry.
"More lies!" she shouted, "Is that all you can tell?"
"No," Brandon said calmly, "I think its time you learned something I should have told you long ago. So please sit. I will tell you the truth, whether you believe it or not, it is the truth. I know you are angry and you have every right to be, I have deceived you and Kara, but not in the way you think. Please sit."
Leah seemed to ponder the invitation and sat. When she did Brandon thanked her and took a moment to pick up the phone and dial Mel, as she might be of help. At the very least she should be aware what he was about to say. The call was short and Mel said she was on her way to his office. Brandon then shifted his focus to his teenage daughter.