Why? by Gianna Henry
I laughed vigorously, as the wind blew through my hair. I knew I wasn’t supposed to be here and if my dad had caught me I’d be in a tremendous amount of trouble. I liked, no, loved, coming on the roof. It was a breath of fresh air. Going on the roof of our 15th floor apartment building. My dad doesn’t think it’s safe, but I know how to handle myself. Not a lot of people come up here so I’ve managed to keep it a safe haven. I’ve even decorated it a bit. It’s late fall and looking at the trees and the different colors of the leaves brings me peace for some weird reason. I can’t quite explain. “Gideon!!” My father screamed, scaring me out of my daydream. “What are you doing on the roof ?! I said not to dare step foot on this roof again!! Why do you have such a hard time when it comes to listening? You know—” I completely blocked him out, I’ve heard this lecture before, one too many times. I started making my way downstairs. I heard my father’s booming voice and him trailing behind me. I knew why my dad didn’t want me on the roof, not that he thought I was going to, but maybe out of fear or paranoia. My dad is a single parent, I try to push him to get out there because I know how sad he’s been since mom passed, and she passed a long time ago. To make a long story short she had killed herself. I’m not sad and it doesn’t keep me up at night. I mean, sometimes it crosses my mind as to why she would do it and why she didn’t feel as if she belonged here. I was just a baby when she did it and coincidentally she jumped off a building. I think that’s what makes my dad so paranoid, the whole being on a roof thing. I never had a special connection with my mom so it doesn’t make me as sad, sometimes I feel bad for not being sad about it. We finally reached the door to our apartment. It was good for two people, I helped my father decorate it by taking inspo from Pinterest. I was a fan of bohemian decor and warm tones and colors, so I incorporated it in the apartment. My neighbors were really chill too. My father gave a worn out sigh. I felt bad. I know he’s nervous but I’ve explained time and time again that I would never leave him. I like being on the roof, the wind going through my hair, I feel free up 15
