Falling From It Again

Ten

CHERYL's POINT OF VIEW

"Today is the day, baby girl. You ready?" I asked her as I watched her get out of the car and put her backpack on.

"Yes ma'am. I have no choice but to be ready. If they like it- good. If they don't- I'm still good enough." She said with a smile.

"That's right." I said as I got out of the car as well.

"Is Dad coming?" She asked me as she watched me walk around the car and towards her.

"I don't know. Want me to call him while you set up?" I asked her. She lightly shook her head no. I stopped walking and looked at her. After I stopped walking, she stopped as well and she looked back at me.
"You sure?" I asked her as I made a confused facial expression.

"I told him about it and that's all. If he doesn't come, oh well. He doesn't support me anyways." She said as she looked down at her shoes.

I didn't know what to say after that.

"Cai, I know how much this means to you. If you want your father to come- just tell me and I'll tell him to come." I told her as we continued to walk.

"No, thanks. As long as you're here- that's all the support that I'll need." She said as we walked into her school. I sent Tony a text message to come anyways because I knew that she wanted her Father to support her. Why child doesn't want their Father to support them? This was Cai's big day and plus, it was Tony's day off. I don't see why he wouldn't come.

I sent the text message and then put my phone away. I was there for my baby girl because she needed me the most either way it goes.

Once the art show started, we all walked around a room that was filled with art from many students. They were all talented. My baby Cai's was the biggest painting there and I was in love with it. She painted with her heart all the time and that just showed how much passion she had inside of her. I walked over towards hers and smiled at her as she explained her painting to the judges. I stood in the back so that I wouldn't throw her off.

I pulled my phone out and noticed that Tony told me that he couldn't make it today. I sighed and put my phone away. He never really supports Cai and her art as much.

"And this winner of this Art Show is...." the Judge said. They had all made their decisions at the end of the show and I was eager to know whom won. Fingers crossed for my baby girl.

"Caiya Riley- Grant. Art Piece- #78 called "A World Of Mixed Emotions." Congratulations and come on up Caiya." The judge said as they all clapped.

I felt so proud at this moment. My baby had won!

"Good job, Cai!" I yelled out as I watched her walk up to claim her certificate and metal.

"One more thing!" The judge yelled out. "You have also won a 10,000 dollar scholarship for NYU. The only thing is- you can only use this at New York University. Considering that you're only a sophomore- you have a little time to think about it." He added. Cai's face lit up and her mouth dropped. At this point- I was very, very proud. $10,000 a semester. Wow.

"Ma! I can't believe this!" Cai said as she jumped up and down as we made our way back to the car.

"I know right! I'm so, so proud of you baby girl. You worked hard! See, what did Mommy tell you? You're the best." I said as I gave her a hug at the car.

"Thanks, Momma." Cai said as she broke the hug. "I mean it. Thank you so, so much for supporting me. You've always believed in me and my talent. I'm blessed for that." She said as she looked me in my eyes. A tear fell from my eye.

"Anytime, baby. Anytime." I said as I smiled and wiped my face. Cai smiled and we then got into the car.

Once we were in the car, I thought that I should tell her.

"Your Dad couldn't make it today, sweetheart." I told her as I started to drive off.

"I wasn't expecting him to anyways, Ma. It's okay." She said as her tone shifted from happy to sad.

"Baby, I know that you did want him to come. You can say that it hurt your feelings that he didn't come. If so, I can understand that." I said.

"He doesn't care. I bet if I were in a play or something he would be there." She said as she looked over at me. I didn't say anything after she said that. Maybe because I also knew that it were true.

DINNER

The entire table was silent during dinner time. Nobody spoke and all you could hear were forks scraping against the plate. I looked over at Cai and noticed that she had barely ate anything. That's another thing that I need to talk to her about.

"Cai...how was the art show?" Tony said as he finally said something about it. It took him too long.

"Okay." She answered back as she took a bite of her food.

"That's good." Tony then said. "So, son- how was yo-...." Tony said but then Cai cut him off.

"Why do you always do this?" Cai asked Tony as she raised her voice.

"Do what? Also, young lady- I feel as if you need to lower your voice. Especially when you're talking to me, your Father." Tony said as he put his fork down.

"You know what you're doing. Why don't you support me? You had a day off. Yet, you still didn't want to come with Ma to come and see my art." Cai said as her eyes started to dwell up with tears.

"Listen here, I had to do some work at home. Just because I get a day off, doesn't mean work stops." He said as he picked his fork back up.

"Answer this. If it were a play, would you come?" Cai asked.

"Cai....you might want to stop." Ciyle said as he eyed her.

"Answer." Cai said to Tony. Tony just sat there and looked at her. He was getting upset. I could see it.

"Let's just...calm down. Ciyle go and get ready for bed." I told Ciyle. He sighed, picked up his plate and left out of the dining room.

"Of course I would have came. I've said it before and I'll say it again- art should just be a hobby of yours. With acting you can do much more with. Art is just...plain. With acting, it can take you many places. You can do many things and you don't have to strictly apply it to one course. You don't even have to be famous. Art is nothing." Tony explained to her.

"Tony, baby- that's not right." I said as I shook my head at him. Cai was crying now.

"What do you mean it's not right? It is. I want my daughter to succeed- yet, you're encouraging her to focus on art? What the hell can art do for you? Can art pay your bills?" Tony asked Cai. "Answer me!" He yelled.
"The Answer is a no. I'm gonna install that into her until she finally understands it. Yeah, she can be all about this art stuff for now but once her junior year kicks in- you're gonna get into a real career. Like, science or business. Something realistic." Tony said.

"Tony, listen to yourself. You're killing your own daughters dreams and you don't even know it." I told him.

"I do know it. It's not a dream. It's a fantasy." He said angrily.

"If art-....is nothing. Why did I get a $10,000 scholarship to NYU? If art...is nothing, why was I voted the best? Daddy, you don't have to like what I do but either way it goes- I don't need your support and I may not even need you as well." Cai said as she stood up and left out of the dining room.

"I had to tell her at one point. Art is ridiculous." Tony scuffed as he picked up his plate and left to go to the kitchen.

I don't know what just happened but I can't believe that Tony could be so nonchalant when it came to Cai all the time. They used to be so close but as Cai's love for art grew, their time decreased. Tony hated it.

STAR/VOTE 💕