Secrets are meant to be kept

Reunion

“Watch where you’re going” Rene mutters pushing past me.

“Sorry.” I stutter, suddenly self-conscious of myself in a large group.

“yeah, yeah.” She grumbles walking up to a woman that looks like an older version of Rene and a man that looks like they rather be.....well anywhere else.

Scanning the room I see my parents smiling like fools around a table in the back corner away from most of the hoopla. Groaning internally I put one foot in front of the other heading towards them.

“Joanne! Hun we have missed you so much!” my mother sobs pulling me into a hug as she cries.

“Missed you too ma.” I say rolling my eyes at her dramatics, which my father didn’t fail to see. And this sends him into a huge frenzy.

“Joanne Malory Johnson.” He says fiercely, making me cringe.

“Hi, daddy, I missed you.” I smile sadly. Knowing that was a lie I looked at mom and gripped her arms. “Honest momma I missed you.”

Her smile lit up and she pulls me into another hug and my face burrows into her neck and I smile sadly remembering her lavender scent. I pull away looking into her teary green eyes that match mine so exactly.

“lets sit down why don’t we.” My father says pulling out a chair for my mom and then sitting down himself in the seat next to hers. I nod my head slowly, not sure how to talk to him.

“You look so grown up, darling!” My mom cries patting my hand.

“Thank you, they are really big on dress for success here, I like to agree that their—”

“Mr. and Mrs. Johnson how are you?” My headmistress Ms. Lillian pops up besides us, interrupting my pro-Lakeside speech.

“We are fabulous, and yourself?” My mom answers.

“I am fine, thank you. I have to say, your daughter is an amazing student. She is very well kept in her studies, and will grow to be a very successful woman.” My mom looks at me proudly while my dad stares blankly around the room.

“Thank you!” My mom’s face glows as she takes in the complement for me.

“You’re welcome. It is such a pleasure to finally have another student that is here by choice not force,” Ms. Lillian says aside to her. “sadly we have a lot of those.”

“Oh, that is a shame; to make a child attend a school like this....i would understand if it was a public school, I mean you got to attend what is close but to force a child into private school,” My mom’s black curls bounce around as she shakes her head in disbelief, “that is just not right.”

“I agree.” Ms. Lillian says standing up right. “I must go and talk to other parents now, if you would please excuse me.”

“Go ahead.” My father smiles, which is a weird sight, he is more of a business, strict, stick-to-it kind of man.

Then with a last overly-bright smile my headmistress walks towards a couple, that I believe are the parents to a boy, Ethan, who is in my Algebra  II class.

“I have to go to the restroom, I will be right back” my mother says kissing me on the forehead before clicking away in the direction of the bathrooms.

I sat there staring around the room; much like my father was moments ago. But right now I can feel his gaze searching my face.

Around me daughters hug their fathers and sons get pats on the back while the mother’s cry or look upon them with pride.

“Just because she says something about your so-called skills doesn’t mean that you don’t have to prove it further.” My father’s gruff voice cut through the chatter.

“I didn’t plan on her coming over here if that is what you are implying,” I say not even sparing him a look.

“I wasn’t implying anything, you just did. All I was saying was that your grades better not slip up or I won’t pay for you to come here anymore.” He raises his voice causing a few eyes to crawl our way. So I turned my back on them facing him.

“You aren’t even paying for me to be here.” I laugh shaking my head. “I’m on scholarship. Plus my grades are straight A’s calm down.” I turned back around and waited for the blow up.

“You expect that to be enough?” His lips pull over his yellow teeth in a snarl. “You think that you can just barely get by with ninety three’s and that be good enough? My daughter will not be a lazy piece of –”

“I’m not. I got A’s and most of them are over ninety five percent. I work hard to get good grade as I’m attending a private school meant for the high honored students. Think about that next time you want to shove it in my face that I’m not good enough, I might not be enough for you but I am well more than enough for me.” I say standing up, but he gets up sooner.

“Maybe we should continue this elsewhere.” He says menacingly.

“No I think this is over.” I say turning around and begin to walk away but he jerks on my arm pulling back to him.

“This is over, when I say it is.” He sinisterly replies.

“No, now” The next thing I feel is a slap on my face.

            The next thing I hear is the gasps of the students around me and the pop of my eardrum.

Then the ringing starts again.