Like My Mother

Chapter Eleven

“Daddy…?” I barely whisper into the phone. “B-b-but didn’t I call Stella’s phone?”  I asked, still in complete shock over hearing my father’s voice when calling Stella’s phone.

My eyes widen more, if even possible, as my dad’s rant started shouting in my ear. “I will repeat this one more time, Isabel! Where the bloody fucking hell are you? I am not going to tolerate your childish behavior of running away when the going gets tough! That is what comes with your name, do you not understand that? You get this life whether you like it or not. Now come home!”

Hearing the echo of my dad’s shouting, Uncle Jason and Aunt Stevie gave me a considered look to which I mouthed back that it was my dad on the phone. Jason’s eyes widened as he held his hand out for the phone I had pressed to my ear. Without even thinking, I pressed the phone into my uncle’s hand and just stared at him as he began to speak.

“Harry? No, it’s Jason.” He paused, listening to what my father was saying. “I understand Harry, but listen to what I have to say okay? Isabel has been through a lot lately and with the way you’ve been treating her, she’s had enough.”

My dad cut him off by some yelling to which Jason just rolled his eyes and sighed. “Harry!” Jason yelled, trying to get my dad’s attention. It worked. “What would Sofie say if she were still here? She’d be so angry with you for the way you are treating your daughter. Is this the way you talked to my sister when she was around? Huh? No, it wasn’t. This is your daughter we are talking about!”

My mouth was practically on the floor as I listened to every word my Uncle Jason said. He was right, was this the way he treated my mum when she was alive? If so, I really feel bad for mum. 

“Now listen Harry, Isabel is going to stay here with us for as long as she would like. If needs this time away, being home is not good for her at the moment. At least here she can enjoy her life as a teenager without people watching her every move.” Uncle Jason finished with a sigh, glancing at me before waving me away.

Well… so much for listening to the rest of that conversation. Turning on my heels, I head towards the back yard where I predict Jase, Jake and Sophia are. As I round the corner and glance out of the glass doors leading to the patio, I see I was right as Sophia was lounged back in her bikini with Jase and Jake sitting at a table talking. When they hear the door open, all three sets of eyes were on me. Jase got up and hurried over to me, sensing something was wrong.

Without a single word, he pulls me into a bone crushing hug, which I return whole heartedly. Having his arms around me makes me feel safe and protected something my dad’s hugs used to do. Snuggling my face into the crook of his neck, tears begin to leak out of my eyes. Jase doesn’t say a word, just hugs me and rubs my back as I cry. He rocks me back and forth slowly as he murmurs calming words in my ears.

“Shh, baby, it’s all going to be okay. I promise. Shh.” Jase whispers in my ear as I cry on his shoulder.

Behind me I hear Sophia ask what is wrong with me, but I can feel Jase’s hand leave my back long enough to wave her away for a moment. I know she’s worried, but Jase was right, the best thing for me right now was to be alone and wrapped in my boyfriend’s arms.