Surface Pressures {Fingers Crossed Series} [Isabella's Story] |1|

|PROLOGUE: DEPLOYMENT|

JUNE 20, 2015
Walking through the door, I immediately noticed the green duffel bag by the door. My heart dropped with the realization; things had been too good for too long apparently. Walking into the living room, Mom was sat on the couch crying onto Dad's shoulder.

"You can't leave." I spoke dropping my bag, "You can't leave us alone. Please don't leave us alone, Dad. I can't take care of them on my own." My voice shook as the anger built up, "Do you understand me? You can't leave."

"You're leaving?" Henley, my middle sister, questioned following behind me.

"What do you mean you're leaving?" Andrea, our youngest sister, joined the conversation as well.

Dad pulled back from Mom and tried to get up but she wouldn't let him, "Girls, I think you need to sit down so we can have a family meeting."

My sisters listened and they sat on the couch opposite Mom and Dad. Staying where I was, I folded my arms over my chest and waited for him to make his case. Dad slowly moved my crying mother off of him and stood. As he paced the living room, I could tell that he was trying to figure out a way to explain this without anyone getting mad.

"You girls, know that I would love nothing more than to stay here with you and continue doing what we've been doing. But this isn't my choice. I've been called upon and they need me." Dad started talking, "It won't be for too long but when I'm gone you'll have to help take care of things around here. Do you understand? I'm counting on you girls to step up and take care of things when I'm gone."

My sisters nodded their heads and mumbled in agreement, but I wasn't going to. I refused to just go along with him leaving when I knew what was going to happen. Mom couldn't function without Dad around which would leave us girls alone to take care of her. And that wasn't fair for us. It wasn't fair that he was putting his responsibility on us so he could leave.

"Isabella, please stop being so thick headed." Dad stopped pacing, "You know that this is just apart of the job and I can't refuse it. You're the oldest and it's your job to help me out when I'm gone. Your sisters look up to you to be strong. Please." He begged me, "I promise that I'll make it up to you when I get back."

Rolling my eyes, I turned away from him and ran up to my bedroom. Slamming my door shut I made sure to lock it so that when Dad came up after me he wouldn't be able to get in. Crashing down onto my bed, my eyes started watering even though I tried my hardest to not cry. My tears wouldn't change his decision; Dad would still be leaving me alone to take care of the family. I needed to except the fact that everything was now on my shoulders.

"Bella, open the door." Dad jiggled the doorknob, "We need to talk about your behavior."

Pushing up from the bed, I unlocked the door and swung it open quickly, "No we need to talk about your behavior. How can you abandon your family and act like it isn't a big deal? How can you think I'll be okay with you leaving us alone? I don't want to be the one responsible for taking care of everyone because you don't want to anymore. Sorry but you're being really selfish." I spoke swiftly, "So do me a favor and just leave me alone. I don't care for anything else that you have to say."

As I went to slam the door in his face, Dad caught it and pushed it back open, "Isabella, don't make this harder for me. I don't want to leave knowing that you're angry with me. We both know that this is going to be hard no matter what. But you talking to me would make it easier." He smirked, "Come back downstairs and wish me good luck."

"No." I shook my head, "I'll say goodbye here and that will be all. I'll need to get my rest if I'm expected to take care of Mom while you're gone."

Closing the door on his face, I could tell that he was hurt by my words. Locking my door again, I went back to my bed. Tightly holding a pillow to my chest I didn't know what to do. Dad leaving was the worst possible thing to happen. He was leaving us with Mom who never really cared about us unless someone was watching. 

Pulling my phone out of my pocket, I quickly sent a text to the one person Dad never wanted me to talk to. The only guy I've introduced him to and the only one to ever disrespect him. Maybe it was a way to get back at Dad or because I knew he'd take my side in this situation. He'd be biased towards my feelings and against Dad. And knowing that made me feel better.