Revealing Kane

57 - Blustery Day

Allison

As soon as I hear the front door click shut, I turn to confront my father. I will not allow him to treat John this way anymore. He either accepts both of us or none of us, including Jack. Yet, when I turn to Dad, ready to fight, he puts his hand up to stop me before I start.

"Allison, I know what you're going to say, so save it," he snaps, and now I'm doubly mad.

"So, you're not even going to let me speak? Just shut me down and ignore my feelings?" I bristle.

"I know how you feel. You love that idiot for whatever reason. You think I'm being unfair. You don't want me to drive him off with my nonsense," Dad says, and I'm too shocked to speak. "Here's the thing. You're my little girl, and my job is to protect you-"

"I don't need your protection!" I shout, adding a stomp of my foot for emphasis. "John loves me, Dad. Yes, he made a mistake, but he has apologized and is trying to change. That's more than I can say for you!"

"Excuse me?" Dad says, getting to his feet and leaning menacingly towards me. "You will not speak to me in that tone in my house, young lady!"

"Why not if I'm right?! You've never apologized to me or John for what you did to him-"

"Which he deserved."

"And you're driving a wedge into our relationship!" I shout, motioning between him and me.

"I don't like him. Never have and certainly don't now!" Dad shouts.

"Well, I don't like you either!" I shout, my cheeks burning with my rage.

"Stop it! Both of you, stop it right now!" Mom yells, and while it pulls me to heel, Dad continues his bluster.

"You will either obey me or get out and never come back!" Dad yells.

"Fine!" I shout.

My eyes are full of tears as I angrily start gathering Jack's things. I cannot believe my father is drawing such a line in the sand. If he wants me gone, I will gladly oblige him.

"Richard. You can't mean that," Mom quails, her voice trembling with emotion.

"I certainly do! If she's going to allow that man in her life, I won't be a part of it!" Dad shouts.

"But Jack and the new baby," Mom cries.

"Don't need us. They're half him, you know."

"But they're also half Allison. I'm not going to lose my grandchildren because you're being an asshole!" Mom suddenly shouts.

As I grab Jack's diaper bag, my Mom catches my hand and stops me. The look in her eyes makes me want to cry. She loves me and the kids so much, and this is breaking her heart. I give her a slight smile, then lean in and kiss her cheek.

"I love you, Mom," I whisper, then turn to leave the room.

"I want that room emptied! Especially those posters of him!" Dad shouts at my back.

I start to cry in earnest as I dash up the stairs. I run into my room, slam the door shut, and burst into full, ragged sobs. I'm crying so hard that I can't catch my breath.

Never in a million years did I think my father would do this to me. Behave like this towards me. It hurts deeply. I stagger forward, taking in gulps of air as I try to contain my sobs, but they won't stop. I sit on the bed, trying to calm down, but I simply can't. This hurts too much.

When I finally get myself under control, I go to my closet, get down my suitcase, and begin to fill it. Honestly, there's not much here that I want anymore, as I have moved most of it to the apartment. Dad can throw the rest out as far as I care. I make sure the dresser is empty, then move to my stereo. Only a handful of loose tapes and such.