An Accidental Murder

Chapter 22

All the things my parents had worked for to provide me with an incredible home - no mansion, and all of the luxuries life could afford, ballet, jazz, and tap classes, piano lessons, gymnastics, trips to Europe, France, Greece, Australia, Japan. They were well known almost everywhere we travelled to and they had prided themselves on their pristine reputation - all so their only heir could ruin it in one night - what a winner I turned out to be.

Breakfast was great, as it always was when my dad makes it, but I didn't have much of an appetite. I sat at the table quietly, mostly moving the food around on my plate and every once in awhile taking an actual bite. Food hadn't been my friend lately, so I reasoned that the least amount of food I put in my belly, the less food would come out if I got sick. The last thing I needed was my mom wondering if I was pregnant too...that would surely go over well.

"What's wrong, Amber?" my dad asked. "You've barely touched your food."

My cheeks flushed and I lowered my head. "My stomach is feeling a little off," I told him.

"You don't like it?"

"No, I didn't say that. I just don't feel that well right now."

"Did I make it wrong?" he prodded. "Do you want scrambled eggs instead? I can make you something else."

"No, Dad, I don't want scrambled eggs. I'm fine."

"Well you need to eat something, hunny. You've been walking around looking so ghastly. Were you eating okay while your father and I were gone?" My mother joined in.

"Guys, can you just eat your breakfast? I'm fine. I most likely have a stomach bug or something and you don't need to worry. I'm just taking my time eating, that's all."

My father looked at my mother who shrugged her shoulders and continued eating.

"Amber, if something is wrong, you would tell us, right? I mean, you feel comfortable enough to tell us things, don't you?"

I clenched my teeth and closed my eyes in annoyance. Why wasn't he letting this go? Why does he have to ask so many questions? Why does he have to care so much?! Why was he being so freaking nosy?

"Amber, your father is talking to you," my mother said sternly.

"I know, mom!" I exclaimed, exasperated. " I know that he's talking to me! Just leave me alone! I said I don't feel good, okay?" I threw my fork down onto the table and stood up abruptly, knocking my chair over and running from the room, leaving my parents behind, mouths agape.

About an hour passed before I heard a quiet knock on my bedroom door. "Amber?" my mom asked, quietly. "Can I come in?"

I rolled over onto my back and sighed. Why couldn't she just leave me alone? I wondered. I didn't want to let her in, but I knew she would just come in anyway, so I figured what the heck. I wiped the tears from my face before getting up and opening the door.

My mom walked in and sat down on the edge of my bed. I sat down too, but kept my distance. I didn't want her touching me or hugging me for fear that I would fall apart if she did. I needed to stay mad, because as long as I was mad, I could keep my composure and not break down.

"Is there something you want to tell me?" My mom asked, staring into my soul with her prying eyes.

"No, not really." I told her bluntly.

"I don't know that I've ever seen you act like this before, Amber. It's very concerning to me."

I glared at my mother in irritation. I wanted to mock her, because her comment was stupid, but I knew that would just make her more "concerned".

"Mom, it's really not a big deal. I'm tired, I'm stressed, and there's a lot going on right now. I just don't want to get the third degree from you or dad about that."

"We're only asking because this behavior is so out of character for you..."

"Is it mom?" I challenged. "Do you really even know my character? Half my life you've been gone! You're almost never here! How do you know anything about my character?!"

"Amber!"

"No, mom! Just stop, stop talking. You always think you have all the answers and you don't. Admit it, mom, your life and your money are more important to you than me!"

"Amber Reign!" She scoffed, looking hurt and teary eyed. "That is probably the worst possible thing you could ever say!"

"It's the truth, mom, and you know it! You're around maybe three months out of the year. You're always travelling to exotic places, and dressed to the tee, having meetings with important clients, and you don't even see me, mom!"

My mother stood up and backed away from my bed stunned. I knew that my words were hurtful, no matter how true. In my heart I knew my parents loved me and I was wrong to throw all of this back at her.

At that moment, my father came into my bedroom. He glanced back and forth between my mother and me, and demanded I stop my nonsense and apologize, but I refused. I wasn't apologizing at all, not for anything.

I boldly approached my father and defiantly told him, "No, I'm not apologizing! You've always told me to speak the truth and say what I feel, so guess what!? I'm doing that right now. I hate that you two come and go as you please and then want to act like my parents when you show up for two or three days! Can you just get out and leave me alone?!"

"Amber Reign Olson! You are grounded!" My father yelled. "You can sit in this room for the rest of the day! You are never to speak to your mother that way!"

I stepped off to the side and grabbed my sweater. "I'm not staying in my room. I have plans today - plans that I made when I was taking care of myself. Anyway, it's not like you'll be here to keep me grounded. I'm leaving."

"Amber, you are not leaving this house!" My father shouted, grabbing my arm as I passed him.

I glared up at him and snatched my arm away. "I'm already gone," I told him and walked out the door.