Two Smitten Kitten

Chapter Twenty-one

Reba's POV:

It's been a few days since I arrived back in my home town. Me and my brother have been spending more time together during my visit, but I will admit that I've been intentionally avoiding my dad. The whole purpose of my visit was to reconcile with my dad, and talk about what my thoughts are on the divorce, who I want to have my custody, and so on. Since I'm the only one out of my two siblings who isn't an adult yet, I've been getting juggled around by my parents since custody battles in court required me to visit my dad often.
Today was the day that he wanted to have that one-on-one with me, so he took us out into town so we could be alone.
My hair was in it's regular high ponytail, accompanied by an oversized tee-shirt and leggings; the comfortable stylish.  We didn't say a word to each other as we walked around town. I would occasionally look up at him expecting him to return the gaze, but that wasn't the case.
After the long moments of uncomfortable silence, we sat down inside a small café.
"Why did we come out today..?" I hesitantly asked. He looked at me with a blank expression that I couldn't read. "I wanted to talk to you without your brother present." He said. I looked at him with my left eyebrow raised.
"I wanted to tell you why me and your mom separated-" He started to say before I had rudely cut him off. I knew what was coming and I didn't want to have any of it.
"Don't think I don't already know. I may not be an adult but I'm not stupid." I said rather harshly.
He looked surprised that I had snapped at him so quickly, but his face quickly turned into a stern look. "Don't speak to me that way." He said with a condescending tone. I only returned a stare.

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For 26 years things have been rough around the edges in our household. It's not uncommon for households to have their quirks about them that make them imperfect. I consider myself lucky that I have it better than most.
Ever since I was little my dad was never really in the picture. He spent most of his time working, and when he was home he would play games in his office. I never resented him for working hard, but little me was too young and naïve to really understand.
When I would ask him to play a game with me, he would flat out tell me, "No, I don't want to play with you." With a smile on his face. Every time I would ask to spend time with him he'd say that he was busy with work even though I could clearly see that he was playing a video game.
That being said I'm not the one who got the worst of it. My mom was the one who had to raise the three of us by herself. And if we did something wrong my mom was blamed for it. Everything was always her fault. Being the narcissist he is, he would act like he cares, or that he loves you, but in the end everything circles back around to being anyone else's fault but his.
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"Do not disrespect me." He said with a cold tone that would feel like a blizzard to anyone who heard it. I only continued to stare at him.
"This is one of the reasons we separated, she raised my kids to turn against me and be rebellious." He said under his breath before he continued to speak. "If you're going to throw a tantrum then fine. I'll be able to talk without interruptions that way."
As he talked I felt myself tune out the conversation as my eyes unfocused. From what I could hear he started playing the blame game again. Blaming his Job, mom, my older sister, and even me. This is how he has always been. He'll try and sweep anything under the rug if he gets the opportunity too.
"I think you need to be more open. I've been trying to have connections with you but you're shutting me out and I can't get through to you."
'I'm at my limit-' I quickly thought before I said something I probably shouldn't have...
"Is that so? You've been trying? So you're going to blame the fact that you failed as a parent on me? Is that really how you're going to try and get by so you can feel better about yourself?!"
I stood from my seat and looked down at him. My breathing was rapid, matching my heart rate. I cannot take this anymore. "You're such a child! You're so self-righteous that nothing is ever your fault; It's always been because of something or someone else!" My voice was raised, causing my eyes to water knowing that my tone was about to be returned.
"I'm trying Rebecca!" He said with a scoff, and hard tone.
Tears started to fall from my eyes. I've always hated heated conversations, I hate feeling anything negative... "I don't even get an apology for being put through your problems.. I don't even get a insincere 'I'm sorry', instead you're just blaming me for your problems..." I lowered my voice as my tears steamed down my cheeks, "I thought the situation wasn't that bad when I lived in Tokyo last month... I even met three great people who love and support me... they admit when they're wrong, they apologize for actions that may've been hurtful, they're there when I'm sad, and it's been the best thing that's happened to me!" I started to sob... I couldn't help but compare...
"But every time I try and think differently about you I'm reminded why we're even in this situation in the first place!" My hands covered my face as they caught my overflowing tears. "I even met a boy... who.. loves me.."
I was so immersed in my emotions I didn't care that we were in a public Café. I just wanted to go home.
He tried to walk to my side of the round table and embrace me, but I slapped his open arms away. I looked at him with my blurry eyes. My eyebrows were tense, and my bloodshot eyes looked at him with nothing other than anger.

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"Home... is not here."