The Sound Of My Voice

Family Standoff

I woke up the next morning with Kyle next to me. I still have to deal with my mom, but I just want to stay and live my life...with Kyle.

"Are you ok?" Kyle asked.

"Yeah, I just need to do something."

"It's about your mom, isn't it?"

"I'm going to talk to her, could you call Dennis and meet me at my house?"

"No problem. Do you want me there?"

"That would be nice."

On my way there, I had all the words I wanted to say to my mom. Why did she lie? Why did she hate me? Why wasn't I good enough? When I got home, I was sweating. I took a deep breath and walked in.

"Where have you been? You were gone all night! I've been worried about you!"

"Don't act like you care."

"Excuse me?"

"We're here." Kyle said.

Just then Kyle and Dennis walked in. Soon Andrew, Austin, and Andy came downstairs.

"What is going on?" Austin asked.

"I found something. About Dad. About my birth. About who was there. Dennis, your dad was at the hospital I was born at. I also found out that you have a little sister. But you knew that, didn't you Mom?"

"What are you talking about?"

"I know! I know about Harold! I know he was at the hospital on Christmas! I know Robert is not my real dad!"

"What? Is this true?" Andy asked.

"I...I...it's true. Robert is not Melody's dad, Melody is your half sister. Her real father is Harold, Dennis' dad. The day Robert died, was the day he found out that Melody is not his daughter. That's why I blamed Melody for the death of your father, because he left the house for her. He said he was going to sue me for full custody of Melody."

"So this whole time, it was your fault that he died. He died because he learned the truth. He wasn't on his way because he was running late for my show, he was on his way because he was going to raise another man's child."

"How did this happen?" asked Andrew.

"What?"

"The thing between you and Harold, how did it happen?"

"When Andy was about 2 years old, I went next door and talked with Harold. I said that I was having problems with life and one thing led to another."

"Liar." Melody said.

"What did you say to me?"

"I. Said. Liar! If you are going to lie, make it believable. You slept with Harold because you are just like your mother. Your mother was a drunken slut and a drug addict. So was her mother. I found an old photo album from your childhood and every photo showed how your mother and grandmother were both hot messes. You became like your mother, you weren't having problems. You just wanted to be a slut!"

"You know, after you were born I wanted to give you up but Robert wanted a daughter so bad."

"Is that why you treated me differently? Because you were ashamed of your mistakes?"

"I have no regrets for what I did."

"So you have no regrets cheating on your husband? Have no regrets sleeping with a married man? Have no regrets ruining that man's family, and yours?"

"I hate my life because of you."

"Back at you!"

I left my house and found myself at town square. I saw a guitar on the stand and decided to play. Even though Robert may not be my dad, I still want to find a way to have everyone remember what a great man Robert Gary Anders was.