Country Mile

HELLFIRE MEDLEY

Obscured murmurs were all that could be heard from the kitchen table. Anne's higher tone stayed even, but the sisters knew by the rumbling that seemed to bark back at her signified Adam's churning anger. Genna realized that while she clung to her grievances toward the woman, she was conjointly blinded by them. She wasn't able to see how Anne tried her best to keep herself separate from Genna's life, but also tried to lean into it and offer kindness where she could. The same kindness Adam had only wanted Genna to reciprocate. She couldn't help but to feel as though she had potentially ruined a good thing.

Anne's voice suddenly rose an octave, it was now Adam's that had a solid, resolute, evenness to it. The girls looked at one another, wishing they could sneak down the hall and listen in.

Genna gave a slight nod of her head toward the hall, and Delilah's eyes grew wide as she quickly shook her head.

"No, we can't!" Delilah whispered.

Another raise in Anne's voice had Genna all but leaping off her chair. Delilah scurried after her and tip toed down the hall, barely breathing to remain undetected as they inched close enough for the murmurs to become clear. Anne's voice had a touch of desperation to it as they caught the ending of a statement.

"—acceptable. I said I was sorry."

"I heard you woman, I ain't deaf." Adam deadpanned.

"Then what else do you want me to say?"

"There ain't nothin' else I want you to say. What I want, is for you to come here to me."

"You're being unreasonable."

"Anne, I told you from the get go I'm an honest, hard workin', hands on man. I didn't sugar coat nothin'. So tell me, did you, or did you not, accept that part of me when we decided to get serious?"

"I did but I—"

"Alright then. Now, did you, or did you not, keep somethin' 'bout my own children from me?"

"You were sick! I used my judgement, and I handled the situation! I didn't—"

Adam scoffed. "And just what the hell makes you think you got the right to handle any situation regardin' my daughters, let alone not fill me in on it? I've told Genna till I'm blue in the face that you ain't gonna be motherin' her and I'll be damned if you go 'n make a liar outta me!"

Genna couldn't help but to feel impressed with Adam reiterating to Anne the promises he's been telling her. All doubts exited her mind at hearing his proclamation be spoken unbeknownst to her presence.

He paused before reigning his temper back in. "Had this been on school grounds, any other children, you would'a been tellin' their parents first thing. I am their parent. You tell me. You don't makin' judgement calls when it comes to my kids. Not till I say you can."

A long silence filled the space. Genna and Delilah stared at one another. They could hardly believe the conversation they were over hearing.

"I'm sorry, Adam. Things between Genna and I have been getting better, so I didn't want to undo the progress we've made. And I did tell her if this happened again, you would be notified. I made that clear. And if I ever find them repeating last night's behavior, I'd marched them right to you myself. I swear it. I just.. I wanted her to realize that yes, I'm an adult, and yes, I'm an authority figure in her life, but I'm not a bad person that she needs to protect herself from. I'm.. I'm not. I don't think you should punish the girls because I already handled it."

He let out an long, heavy sigh. "I get that you don't wanna back track. I do, but you need to understand that this can't happen again. I appreciate the effort, but you will not be steppin' into a role you ain't been invited to fill."