Military Dad
CHAPTER 1
“Katrina, Mathew, Olivia, and Elizabeth, it’s time for dinner!” Mom calls from the kitchen. I put everything back in its place, before I rush down the stairs to the kitchen table. Since I am the first one at the table, as usual, I get the seat that I want, which is the seat right next to my father’s spot. I look over as Ellie hurries down the stairs, followed by Matt, who carelessly walks down the stairs, and finally Olive half scoots, and half tumbles down the stairs, as I chuckle.
Mom, unusually starts off the dinner conversation tonight, it’s normally one of the younger children excited to tell us what “wonderful” thing they found outside. But not tonight, tonight is different. “I have some exciting news to share with all of you…”
“Really, about dad, I knew it…” I cut mom off.
“Katrina, you know that this is not the appropriate time to talk about dad,Especially not interrupting like that, What do you have to say for yourself?”
“I ‘m sorry mother, however, I just have one question?”
“Okay go ahead.” Mother says in a sarcastic listening voice.
“My question is; when is an appropriate time to talk about him? It’s not like he’s in jail, and he’s not a disgrace to our family, so why on earth do you never let us talk about him? We should be embracing the fact that he is serving our country; it is good, not bad. And don’t even answer me with ‘well I don’t like to talk about him because it’s hard on me, you know that’, because the truth is that, I do know that it is hard on everyone, not just you, and you never recognize that, I think maybe you should think about someone else but yourself for a change!” I exclaim.
“Katrina Brooklyn Nolenbark! That is no way to speak to anyone; I need you to excuse yourself from the table.” She says firmly.
Sitting in my bedroom, just thinking, wishing that my dad was here because, I am a lot like my dad, and my mom and I argue so much, it is just frustrating. Me and my dad have such a good relationship, that is had one, it’s not that anything bad happened or anything, it’s just with him being away everyone grows farther apart, I wish he could just stay home forever.
“Knock, Knock, Knock” My mom says while knocking.
“Come in.” I reply.
She is coming in with a plate of food. That is how she is, she wants everything to be better right after it happens, and I never want to hurt her, so I try to go along.
“Katrina I brought you dinner, you didn’t eat much.” She tells me.
“Thanks mom.” I reply, even though I lost my appetite.
“I am sorry Kat, the way I acted was wrong and you didn’t deserve that, and you were right, now that I thought about it. Your father’s occupation should be embraced not ignored or hidden, I will try to talk about him more often and I will be more open to the fact that it is hard on all of us, not just me. Will you please forgive me Katrina?” Mom asks so apologetically.
“Of course I will mom, after all, we are all humans, and we make mistakes.” I try to sound convincing.
“Thanks sweetie, oh and Kim called so she wants you to call her back.” Mom tells me.
“Sure Mom and if Kim asks, can I go over? I ask pleadingly.
“Okay go ahead, but don’t forget your brother’s doctor appointment tomorrow, and I need you to watch olive for me.” She reminds me.
“I won’t Mom, don’t worry, I am going to call her back now.” I tell her, gesturing her out of my room. She walks out; I pick up the phone and press speed dial #3 for Kimberly.
“Hello? Who am I speaking with?” Kim always answers the phone this way.
“Kat. My mom said you called?” I ask.
“Well she’s correct, I did.” She says in a smirky tone.
“Oh sorry I must have dialed smarty pants factory not Kimmy my best friend… Just kidding! I meant why did you call?” I ask with a laugh.
“I wondered if you wanted to hang out at my house today and have a sleepover.”
“Sure, I will be right over.” I say. She is used to me pre asking since I have done it since kindergarten, and we are now going into the eighth grade.
