FAKE

PART VI: FUTURE

VIII: parents

I arrive home today and I get to see my parents again. I have been missing them more and more each day. I can't wait to see them to give them both a big hug and tell them how much I miss them. New York was fun but I really don't want to be away from them for a long time. They support me so much and they are trying so hard to be with right now through all of this. I finally accepted the fact that they have to work and it's not their fault that our schedules are so different. It's not their fault that they need this job to pay off debts or stuff like that. They need that job and I am not going to be the one to take it away from them. I respect them so much now and I never thought I would. Maybe Clarissa will return eventually. Maybe we will all be a normal family like we once were before everything. I have a book now and Clarissa is off the map with her boyfriend. I honestly feel so bad for my parents because I finally understand how hard it is to raise two girls like us. They had to do that all themselves and that is the magic of parents. They have to take care of themselves and their expenses but also of their child or children. I honestly can't believe that I never thought of that really, I just always thought that they were greedy and wanted more money so they sacrificed our time together with work. Clarissa's opinion on the matter got engraved in my brain but not anymore. The entire flight back to Ohio made me realize all of this and how much my parents mean to me. Apart from Ashley and Andrew, they mean the world to me. They have been there for me even when they don't show it. They try so hard to be there just like they found time to squeeze in a dinner with Andrew. What greedy parent does that? They were trying to be normal parents but their job wasn't letting that. I don't mind anymore, I have learned to live alone and I have learned to live with Andrew so I am honestly fine with them leaving. It's so crazy to think that months ago, I was furious with them leaving me alone and never arriving home and now almost six months later, I understand how busy they are and I appreciate that. I admire them for that. We aren't a normal family, but what is normal? Every family is special in their own way and our family is special because we show our undying support without even being there to show it. We can just feel it. My dad and mom love Clarissa and I. I love them so much in return. I regret every bad thing that I may have said about them. They're the real ones. They will always have my back.