Ariella Garcia is an 18-year-old girl who dreams of leaving her current situation behind and starting a new life. She's fiercely independent, and her love for nature and animals is unparalleled. She's always surrounded by people who care about her...
Surprise is the greatest gift that life can grant us.
- Boris Pasternak
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7 years ago
"Daddy?" I've been searching for my dad for the past 3 minutes. I really want to show him the gift I made him for Father's Day.
He once told me that you gain love by doing chores, cooking and only speaking when you are spoken to. I did all the chores and made his favorite meal. Never spoke until I was spoken to and never asked questions.
We were like two strangers in one house. I've never heard him say good morning or even tell me a bedtime story, in my 12 years of living.
Every time I see parents picking up their children at school, I felt jealous. My mother left me when I was almost two years old. My dad told me she wasn't ready to have a family. Though he never said it I know he blames me for it.
Today I made him a gift to show him I'm happy with just him being my dad. I don't need a mom. I want to show him that I'm worth his love and attention.
I head up the stairs, I hear someone sniffing and wonder why my dad is crying. I open the door and see some bottles scattered on the ground. Lately, he keeps drinking that special drink.
"Dad?" I go and sit before him. He is slouched on the ground, there are unshed tears in his eyes, and he is holding a bottle in his hand. "What's wrong Dad?" I whisper. "I love her" he mutters.
" Mom?" I asked confused. Suddenly his behavior changes and he throws the bottle on the ground. A million pieces fly around the room and a small piece cuts my arm. Tears start to form in my eyes from the sting.
"Don't call her that. She left because of you" he shouted.
He tries to stand but fails a few times. Finally, he stands up and towers over me. With my hands, I try to crawl back but flinch when I place my hands on pieces of glass.
"You are a worthless piece of trash. Nobodylovesyou, don't you get it."
He raises his leg and it connects with my stomach. I feel all the air in my lungs being drained and start to see black spots from the impact.
He spits on me before heading to the door.
That was the first time he hit me.
*
"So where the fuck were you, bitch?" he asked again.
My body went into panic mode, and I could feel my legs turning into jelly. It was like I had forgotten how to stand, and I collapsed onto the ground like a deflated balloon. Tears welled up in my eyes, blurring my vision as my heart pounded in my chest.
