Page 11 of Coming for His Second Chance
Translation, I really don't want her here, so if she eats less, then she’ll be gone sooner.
"It's fine. You always make enough to feed ten of us." My dad says, gesturing at the mountain of food in front of us.
I'm willing to bet half of it ends up on the floor thanks to Zion.
Over breakfast, I just stay quiet, unless asked a direct question, which is only done so by my dad. Then, Linda or Helen hijack the conversation again a moment later. Fine by me.
The meal is finally over, and I'm about to make my escape, when my dad leads me to the den.
"You can't go, before we decorate the Christmas tree." He says with a huge smile on his face.
Inwardly, I groan, because this will take another hour or two. Time to start plotting my escape.
I glance at my watch and sigh.
"Okay, but I can't stay long. I have to meet Dana and get plans in place for tomorrow night, and we have a cake tasting, too," I tell him.
Dad nods, "At least, help with the lights, and then hanging yours and your mom’s ornaments."
He hits me in the gut and knows I can't say no to that. I nod and start opening the boxes. Then, Dad and I start on the lights.
About the time we start opening the ornament boxes, Helen and Linda join us with Zion. I sort through the box and find my baby ornament, and a few others I made throughout the years. I hang them at the top, so they’re out of reach from Zion.
When I look over at Dad, and he smiles at me, I realize I have missed decorating the tree with him. That is until I turn around and find Zion has my mom's ornament in his hands.
I try to stay calm. "Hey, buddy. Can I hang that one on the tree next?" I ask, keeping my voice soft.
"NO!" He yells.
My heart starts racing, knowing I have to get it away from him.
"Do you want to hang it on the tree?" I ask, thinking I can move it as soon as he's done.
"NO!" He screams even louder.
"Well, it's not yours, so let's put it back," I say.
"NO. NO. NO." He screams, and then throws it at my dad.
Dad tries to catch it, but he isn't fast enough, and it shatters against the wall. I stand there staring at it with my jaw open, and I don't realize I'm crying, until my dad tries to hug me.
"No," I turn and run from the room. I go to the entryway, get my coat and purse, and run out to my car.
I can't even get my door open I'm crying so hard at this point, and I don't hear anyone come up behind me.
Dad pulls me into a hug and lets me cry. When I think I've cried all my tears, I pull back.
"You wonder why I never come home. That's why. He's spoiled, never heard the word no, and is a monster. And spoiling Linda, is doing neither of them any favors. Mom would be disgusted." I snap and instantly regret it.
All the years of keeping my mouth shut are starting to boil over.
In order to stop myself from saying anything else, I bite my tongue. "I'm sorry I can’t stay. I’ll meet you for lunch the day after tomorrow."
"Of course, and Linda feels horrible about it, sweet pea. I really wish you would go to lunch with her and try to patch this up," he says.
"Maybe later, but right now, I'm just going to go cool off. I'm already sorry I came here." Before I say something worse, I get into my car.
I go straight to Dana's, because if anyone can understand how I feel right now, it's her.
