Finding Nowhere

Chapter 3

Chapter 3

Tori pulled into the large driveway next to her mother's bright blue vintage bug and her father's black BMW. Looking up at the ostentatious house that was far too big for her family of five, Tori wondered, not for the first time, if there was more to life than this? She walked through the large front door, where she was greeted by her dog Cassie. There was the sense of everything in its place in this house, including her family. Tori knew without looking where everyone would be, her brother and sister would be; in their room’s upstairs, her dad working away in his study, and her mum making dinner. Her mum was very particular in everything she did and everything about her life was picture-perfect. So dinner being the only meal the family shared, it was made into a big performance with her parents openly sharing their feelings, which she thought was very hypocritical. 

She walked through the large foyer her trainers squeaked on the tiled floor, dumping her keys in a bowl on one of the many tables, which severed no purpose. She passed the first few empty rooms that were usually used only for entertaining guests and headed for her father's study in the back.

 She greeted her dad who was working at his computer, fingers clacking, his desk piled high with a mound of paperwork yet to be attended.

"How was your day?" he asked without turning around, sensing her presence.

"Good. I absolutely love developmental genetics."

"I knew you would. You'll be able to have a wide pick of careers when you leave university. Your genetics focus, combined with your human anatomy and biology knowledge will blow people out of the water."

She smiled at the compliment and slowly made her way over to his desk. Sometimes she wished that she didn't feel like he was just grooming his prized winning project, when he talked to her about his vision of her future.

"Well I'm sure all you've taught me will keep me on top of my game. I'm considering maybe doing a post grad in medicine. I know it would be more money and many more years, but I’m just starting to feel more drawn to it. When I started learning with you it made me want to help people. I love genetics but I feel medicine for me, more worthwhile."

Her dad had turned around, rose from his chair walking purposefully towards her and rested a hand on her shoulder.

"Tori, genetics is helping people. You just won't be able to see the results instantaneously. You've got the brains to do genetics. You need to use them for it. There's a lot more merit that comes with achieving something great in genetics, a groundbreaking find just waiting to be discovered or created."

And there it was, the real reason her father was so desperate for her to pursue genetics more than medicine. Glory. Was helping people not enough, was the gratitude or feeling of warmth you got for doing something good or saving someone’s life not worth it? You needed to be recognised by the world too. He wanted to have an astounding surgeon and a genetics genius in the family as well. God knows what direction Johnny would be pushed into. She knew deep down her father meant well, but the need for recognition and achievement was too forefront in his mind to show it.

She gave her father her best heart-warming smile, kissed him on the cheek and quietly left the study heading for the kitchen to steal a quick snack.

"Tori?" her mother chimed.

"Yeah." she replied through a mouthful of chocolate.

"You remember your father and I have that charity event on Sunday?"

No.

Her mother hadn't told her anything about another charity event. Abigail frequently forgot things that didn't directly involve her life.