My All

Part 1

My All

In a hospital room, Mary Thompson was giving birth to her second child. James Thompson, her husband, held her hand as she screamed. "I can't, James. I can't do it." She told her husband.

"Yes you can, my love. Just push."

"Sir, she's losing too much blood. Mr. Thompson, we need you to step outside." One of the nurses told him.

Three hours later a doctor comes out with a baby in his arms and stands in front of James. "Mr. Thompson, is a girl. She was born very healthy." He said handing him the baby.

"What about my wife?" James asked.

"I'm sorry, we tried everything, she didn't make it."

"Yeah, I'm also sorry." James said, looking at the baby in disappointment.

SEVENTEEN YEARS LATER

"Deborah!" James yelled from the dining room. "Where's our food?"

"I'm coming, dad. I was at school until late today." A young girl said placing the plates of food in front of James and a young man.

"And why was that?" The young man asked as he drank from his beer.

"That is none of your business, Roger." Deborah said sitting on the other side of James.

"Don't talk to your brother like that. Why were you late?" James asked.

"I had to finish some work in the library." James slapped her. As she held her face with tears in her eyes she asked. "What was that for?"

"Because you lied to me. The principal called this morning and asked why you haven't been to school all week. Why is that?"

She swallowed before answering. "I needed some free time."

"Stop lying, I saw you this morning at Bobby's and my friends tell me you are there every day." Roger said smiling as Deborah shoot daggers at him.

"I can explain, dad." She said as she saw James' face. "I work there as a waitress. I've been working there for a while now. But this week, Bobby wanted me to work there early otherwise he was going to fire me. And I've been saving for a school trip this summer."

"What?" James yelled. "Don't you know who I am?"

"Yes, dad. But..."

"But, nothing. I'm a senator. I can't have you working at a local bar; not only a local bar; the worst bar in the whole town. What would people say?" James said standing up.

"It was the only place that would hire me. I really want to go on this trip and I knew you wouldn't give me the money." Deborah said, crying.

"And you're right. Who said you were going on that trip anyway?" James said as he walked away. "Oh, and from now on, you're grounded. No driving your car. Roger would take you to school and back."

"I have a social life, dad." Roger said.

"Do you want me to tell you how much I care about your social life? You are not going into that bar either." James said leaving.

"I hate you, Roger! Why can't you just let me be? You want me out of here as much as I want to leave."

"I just love making you miserable more." Roger said as she stood up and left.