Page 55 of Dear Glory

“She’s not a little girl, but a grown woman who’s capable of making her own decisions. If she doesn’t want to go, then I won’t make her,” Bunny defends me and tilts his head, ready for a confrontation.

“Whoa… I think this is getting a bit too heated. Let’s take deep breaths and calm down,” Linus holds up his hands, looking between the two of them, shaken.

“Be quiet Linus! Bunny, thank you, but no matter how you feel, this is still my father, so please don’t talk to him like that. And Dad, can you please stop? I am not leaving with you! I like it here. You’re drawing your own false conclusions and it serves no one but yourself. All of this is a misunderstanding. I’m sorry for not calling and checking my pager, but I’m an adult. You can’t just come here and disrupt my life like this!”

“Who do you think you’re speaking to like that, Glorinda?!” He knits his brows together with a frown.

“I just… please lis?—”

“No! Now I know more than ever you need to leave because in the short amount of time you’ve been here you’ve lost your mind!Ican’t come disrupt your life? Tell that to someone who’s not paying your credit card bill.Ican shut this shit down whenever I damn well please, and you can’t do or say anything about it! Now move it, young lady! We’re leaving!” he shouts and I pout, stamping my foot dramatically.

“Hey, why don’t we all ju?—’

“SHUT UP, LINUS!” we both yell at him while glaring at one another.

“Glorinda, I’m done with this conversation! Go to the car, NOW!” he shouts and points out the door.

“No!!” I yell and his eyes go wide, full of anger.

“YOU ARE MY DAUGHTER, AND IF I TELL YOU TO COME HOME, THEN YOU COME HOME!”

“YOU HAVE NO RIGHT TO SAY THAT TO ME BECAUSE I NEVER ASKED YOU TO DO ANY OF THAT FOR ME! I ASKED… NO, BEGGED YOU TO STOP PAYING FOR MY THINGS! I HAVE MY OWN MONEY! WHY DO YOU KEEP TREATING ME LIKE A CHILD?!”

“BECAUSE YOU ARE A CH-ild…” His voice crack as tears fill his eyes… “Because you are my child, and it’s my duty to protect you,” he speaks softly and I’m left absolutely speechless.

“Are… are those tears?” I blink, flabbergasted, but he spins on his heels and lifts his head in the air.

“No, now get out to the car, Glorinda! You’re making your mother worry, and I won’t stand for it!” he says, sounding like his usual commanding self, but I know my eyes are not deceiving me.

I place my hand over my mouth, unsure what to say, so I say nothing. I can’t because in all my years, I have never seentheGeneral Cross of the United States Army shed a tear…. not a single time.

My dad is fit, attractive, and manly, with medium-tone skin. Despite his age, he’s got no wrinkles and still has a head full of thick black hair peppered on the sides with grey that only adds to his charm. He’s reliable and capable of anything. He’s my hero… and I’m his princess, so putting all of my feelings to the side, I completely understand.

While I will never bear children of my own. I can only imagine what he’s going through having raised as child as preciously as he raised me, only for me to set out to another country and ultimately disappear.I was selfish… I was inconsiderate.

The thought brings tears to my own eyes because that was not my intention. I wanted to come here and find my own footing, but in the process, I stepped on the people who helped get me here.

Impulsively, I run over as he lifts his arms to pinch the bridge of his nose, and I wrap my arms around him in a hug.

“I’m sorry, Dad. I’m sorry I made you worry…” I hug him tight, tears spilling from my eyes as I feel his arms come around me in a strong grip.

“You always make me worry. Ever since you were small enough to fit in the palm of my hands, and even now at twenty-five. I never knew it would be possible to worry more, but I won’t keep putting myself through this torture. Linus, get the door! We’re leaving!” he picks me up and runs with me out the house while Bunny chases us, but Linus opens the door just wide enough for my dad to skirt through with me and closes it, placing a rocking chair on the knob to keep him from getting out.

“NOOOOOO! BUNNNNYYYY! DAD! HOW COULD YOU RUIN OUR MOMENT?! I’M TELLING MOM!” I shout, feeling betrayed as he laughs evilly.

“Too bad it was your mother’s plan so I won’t get in trouble! Linus, get the car door and start the car! We’re going straight to the airport!” he shouts.

“LIES! MOM WOULD NEVER AGREE TO THIS!” I shout. Just as Linus opens the door, my eyes go wide as he flies out of sight somewhere, landing with a loud thud, and my dad stops in his tracks.

“Get out of the w—” my dad cuts off as if he’s seen a ghost, but Sir only smirks.

“General Cross, how nice to see you again,” Sir voices happily, but my dad says nothing as he holds me tighter.

“S-Sir, do you know my dad?” I ask.

“Glorinda! Do not speak,” he grunts.

“We’re acquainted, Glorious,” Sir ignores him, tilting his head to the side.

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