THE TRINITY

2.

6 MONTHS LATER

STORMI 

"What do you mean you aren't going to Harvard!?" My mom asked frantically as I sat with my parents at the dinner table.

"I mean I'm not going... I don't want to be a lawyer, mom. And I damn sure don't want to work for dads' company" I said, taking another sip of my water.

"Honey, we talked about this. You are going to Harvard law so you can be the best lawyer this town has. I am the mayor and will make sure you are appointed to all the important cases." My dad spoke up.

"Dad, I don't want that," I told him, making direct eye contact.

"Then what do you want?" He let out a stressful breath. "I thought you were getting everything setup to start classes this semester."

"I have been but not to Harvard. I want to stay here in Rosedale and go to the same school as Mel. I want to study photography and art. I want to be a tattoo artist." I nervously spoke up knowing they wouldn't agree.

"Stormi! A tattoo artist!" My mother clutched her heart, looking at me as if I grew another head. "We will not be funding that" She spat looking to my dad for back up.

"Honey, that isn't very realistic." My dad agreed.

"That's fine because I busted my ass all through high school so that I could get a scholarship because I knew you wouldn't pay for it" I said taking another bite of my chicken breast.

"Language," My father warned.

"Well, I won't have a tattoo artist living in my house. Next thing we know you'll be doing drugs and selling your body" My mom curled her nose in disgust.

"That's fine too. I can stay in a dorm. I'm going to talk to the school in the morning to get everything set up" I crossed my arms.

"Stormi" My mother started again.

"I'm 18 Mom. I'm doing this. It's my life now. All through high school I lived how you wanted. I didn't go to parties, I studied hard instead of hanging out with friends, I did cheer leading and pageants for God's sake. I'm doing what I want now" I told her, finishing my last bite of food.

"Now if I may be excused. I have an early day tomorrow" I looked to my dad who excused me from the table.

I got up, put my dishes away and went to my room. My cat Bonnie was sat at the edge of the bed looking at me in a way she almost seemed proud I finally stood up for myself.

"I'm doing it, Bon Bon... I'm getting out of here. Then when I graduate college, I can take you with me." I scratched the top of her head.

I started getting my clothes together so I could shower and there was a knock on my door. I walked to it pulling it open and my dad stood in the place the door was just in.

"May I?" He asked and I moved for him to come in.

"You know Dove..." He started using the nickname he's been calling me since I was a baby.

"I am proud of you for standing up for yourself." He continued sitting in my desk chair.

"uh" I spoke confused, not knowing where he's going with this.

"It shows true leadership skills. Something you got from me" He stated proudly. You know, I didn't want to follow the path I went down either, but my parents didn't give me a choice. If I would've chosen what I wanted my father would've killed me... literally." He paused and I didn't really know how to respond. I didn't meet my grandparents before they passed but he makes them sound evil.