Tybee Island

"What not now LANA?. WHEN DAD..when?"

Liam broke his grip from mine as I entered the living room, his facial expressions uneasy.

"Why are you letting go of my hand?" I asked abruptly, giving him a cold hard stare.

"I don't think this is a good idea.. Just because your father has decided to showcase your baby photos..it doesn't mean you need to go all pyhsco and get some sort of revenge." he replied with a brief pause.

"You are WAY better then that. What is this? Kindergarten?"

My breath suddenly felt dry and my cheeks flushed uncontrollably. Half was anger, the other embarrassment. Why was I doing this? It really wasn't anything to get so angry about, yet I felt the need to do something..

"Fine.".. I responded.

"Don't help me!."

"With what? You are getting ridiculous now?" he retorted back, staring deep into my hazel eyes.

I didn't know myself 'what.' It was the fact that dad had been playing up to an audience that we were this kind of happy, picture perfect family when the real truth was, all there had ever been was lies and deceit, and it had only taken me up to this point to finally realise it.

"It's something you just will never understand..ever." I whispered under my breath, as I shoved him out of the way.

I plasted a sickingly sweet smile on my face as I stood on our coffee table, addressing our guests.

"Family and Friends.. Thank you all for attending my father's art showcase! I am very excited for you all to see it and I'm sure you all feel the same way. Please all follow me onto the beach as we begin the exhibition!", I said as I jumped off the table and allowed the guests to follow my lead.

Dad peered at me bewildered and grabbed me to the side, subtly.

" I thought we were going to have a few more drinks first before we get going?" he asked, frowning whilist also glancing at his watch. He continued.

"Oh wait and also.. I thought you were mad at me?"

" I have your guests to attend to.." I replied, waltzing off.

As the guests gathered around, I spoke once again.

" As all of you here know of my father either by relation or a friend of a friend, I would like to shed some light on some of things that I love the most about him before we begin unveiling his work. My Dad is unlike any other dad I could compare to on the planet. He's talented,generous,loving and has a good heart. Coming here over the summer has taught me all this, after going multiple years without having any contact. Part of that decision was made by myself while the other was down to his lack of communication."
A few coughs could be heard from the guests whilst others peered at me intrigued to see what else I had to say. Liam stood in the back undoing a few buttons of his shirt,billy leaning onto him for comfort whilst dad put his hands in his face, filled with anxiety. I continued taking a deep breath.

"But despite all these beautiful qualities he also possesses some of the most ugly ones."
My eyes were beginning to water alongside a painful lump in my throat. I closed my eyes tight to prevent any tears from falling. Not yet.. Just not yet could I crumble.
"He is SELFISH,A LIAR...DISLOYAL...A COWARD and DESTRUCTIVE."
Dads face was now filled with embarrassment as he tried to control the gasps and whispers from his guests.
"Sweetie not now" he said softly walking towards me. Anger began to swell up inside of me.

"TELL ME WHAT YOU SAID TO OUR GUESTS.. When you thought I was upstairs!" I bellowed.
"HONEY.." he replied in a calm manner.

I was at breaking point. All eyes were on me. Stares of disapproval all in unison. Tears began to stream down my cheeks uncontrollably . It was all too much.

"YOU HAVE BEEN IN HOSPITAL because of so called dehydration. NO DAD. THAT WASNT ON YOUR HOSPITAL RECORD BY YOUR BED. You have been apparently meaning to tell myself and billy something important. SPILL." I screamed.

"LANA" he yelled. I cut him off.
"What not now LANA?. WHEN DAD..when?"

The silence was deadly as I stood an emotional wreck. Without any logical thinking behind it I kicked dads painting over. Then another then another.
Dad ran to restrain me but Liam stepped in dragging me away.
"LANA STOP IT.. LANA STOP" he yelled, picking me up with all his strength. I balled into his back non stop in pain and upset.
"You ruin EVERYTHING" billy shouted,storming back into dads house.

Liam carried me away and I didn't even try to protest,emotionally drained.

*** Three hours later***
I awoke to a familiar touch stroking my hair as I realised I was in a car backseat. This touch was one I hadn't felt in a very long time. The person then spoke.

"Baby.."
I peered up to see my very own mother, as my head lay in her lap.
"MOM.. what's going on?" I said sleepily rubbing my eyes.

Liam was in the front seat driving and spoke.
"We are going to the hospital."
A sense of confusion washed over me as I seemed to suffer from 0 injuries.

"Why I'm fine.." I responded.
Mom spoke once again.
"Your dads in hospital again.. It's not looking good."