Life of Harlow

Rollercoaster

Liam

Heading into my cousin's house, I greeted my family. Harlow was nowhere in sight. I asked if anyone had seen her and they shook their heads. I get she's in a mood, but you don't just walk in somewhere and not say hello. That's rude.

I went in search of her, figuring she'd be outside reading. I walked into the kitchen to see her standing there with Logan. It looked like a face off of sorts. I'm sure all he did was catch her before she made it outside and told her to go greet everyone. Her response was probably a smart ass comment.

"What's going on?" I asked.

"Nothing, Harlow was just about to go greet everyone," Logan replied.

Just what I thought.

"No, I wasn't. You are not the boss of me. I see where your bitch of a daughter gets it from."

I looked at my daughter like she had lost her damn mind because she did. Being upset and moody was one thing. I already warned her about calling Luna out of her name. We'd circle back to that. Disrespecting her uncle, absolutely not.

"Outside, right now."

"Dad..."

"Now!"

It was rare I raised my voice at her, but this whole situation could have been avoided. All she had to do was say hello. Even with Logan redirecting her, all she had to do was go back to the living room and greet everyone. After that, she could've taken off to the backyard until dinner if that would have helped her cool down. I respect her space, but you don't disrespect someone else's.

She took off outside and I ran my hands down my face. I heard footsteps coming our way. It was my mom.

"Everything okay?" she asked.

"I got it, Aunt J," Logan spoke before I could.

She gave me a final look and nodded before leaving the kitchen. It's rare I get pissed off with Luna, but this week alone has been a doozy. It's a rollercoaster with her and no matter how nice and understanding I try to be, she adds something else to the list.

I have to admit, while Luna's timing may have been off in telling Harlow about herself, she wasn't wrong. Harlow was taking advantage of the freedom I gave and now it was spilling over to her being rude and disrespectful to adults. I can be firm and fair, but respect, I don't negotiate on that.

"We'll be back inside in a few," I said to Logan.

"You good, lil bro?"

I shook my head and sat down.

"What am I doing wrong?"

"You're not doing anything wrong. You're an amazing father, Liam. Don't question that."

"It doesn't feel like it. I wake up sometimes and it's like I have no control. Doing this shit alone is so hard man. I know I have you and Erica, my parents, your parents, and the rest of the family. Still, it's just me. You get what I'm saying?"

He nodded.

"Man, I wish Dana was here. This would be so much easier if I had her."

I felt myself getting emotional.

"Liam, you can't keep beating yourself up. I know you miss Dana, bro. Harlow misses her, too. Guess what though? Harlow has you. She loves you. I get that she's pushing limits, but if anyone can get through to her, it's you. The bond you two have is special. Right now, she's just a teenager. I know how I was in high school. Think of how you were. You look back and it's like damn, I was wild."