Rented

Chapter 13

"Amelia Juliet Winsconsin where have you been?"

Her tone is one of anger more so than worry and I roll my eyes. When she uses my full name I know that she's upset and although it used to make every hair on my body stand with fear of disappointing her I feel at ease.

"Out shopping with Harry" I shrug and mentally add "and doing other things".

"Well you almost gave your father and I a heart attack, we were about ready to call the cops!" She yells frantically and I cover one of my ears with a finger.

"Mom, I'm twenty years old and I don't even live here anymore. Don't you think I'm old enough to go out without informing you?" I feel instantly annoyed that I come back for a week and she thinks things are going back to the wat they were before. When Charlie could get home drunk from partying at any time but I had to call if I got carried away at the library.

"I'm going to wait upstairs" Harry informs awkwardly before sprinting to my room. I don't blame the poor guy as I want to do the same too but this discussion is unavoidable.

"Not after you jumped out of the boat that way I mean seriously Amy, aren't you a little old to be going through a rebellious phase? Are you purposely trying to embarrass this family?" She fumes and I bet my face resembles hers.

I laugh at this and my mom looks taken aback. "I think you do a well enough job at that by kissing everyone's ass!" I retort and as soon as the words leave my mouth I take them back.

My cheek stings profoundly and I hold the side of my face with both hands and realize-

My mother just slapped me in the face.

I gaps and my father runs in, when he notices my red face and the way I'm holding it he calls out for Charlie who runs down the stairs.

"What's going on?" My clueless brother asks.

"Oh I don't know, one minute I'm trying to talk to mom and the next she slaps me across the fucking face!" My voice breaks at the end and I can hear dad and Charlie gasp.

Mom had never hit me before. There was no reason to. I always made sure to obey her every command and exceed her expectations. I truly tried to be the daughter she wanted me to be, the daughter she could flaunt to her friends about proudly. Not once did I speak back or questioned her demands but I had reached my limit. I am an adult and I did nothing wrong. All I have ever wanted was to make her proud and yet here she is, telling me I am an embarrassment to the family.

"Is this true Tamara" my father looks at her obviously angry. I am glad at least someone here cares about me.

"Yes because she is not being her self. She is actin like a spoiled little brat and I won't tolerate this in my home!" She snaps pointing at me. Dad looks over, pity obvious in his eyes.

"Let's just go to bed, you need to relax" my dad grabs her and takes her to the other side of the house where their master bedroom is.

"I am relaxed!" She screams but he continues to walk her away. I admire how calm he is. I guess it takes years of practice to stand someone like that.

Although I am thankful he took her away before things went even more down hill I was disappointed he didn't do any more but it is what it is.

I let a single tear roll down my face before wiping it off and turning to head upstairs. Already craving to be in Harry's safe arms.

As I go to walk past Charlie he touched my shoulder "I'm sorry mom did that".

His words surprise me. Charlie being nice? That's a first.