The Stoic And The Beast

Tough Love

Alicia's POV

I nervously stepped inside my home. Cringing with each creak of the old wooden floor beneath my shoes. Luke was beside me which eased the raging thud in my chest. Mom was sitting at the kitchen table facing the door with an unreadable expression on her face.

"Hey mom, wheres dad?"

She knew I was going to ask that question. Her face didn't falter one bit. We both knew where dad was, we both knew he was angry and we both knew it was better for everyone that he was not home.

"We need to talk Alicia." She motioned for me to sit down.

"Sit." She commanded.

I did as I was told while Luke stood behind me with his hands casually resting on my shoulders.

"Mom... I."

She cut me off before I could explain or apologize.

"Don't you think you've been acting recklessly ever since you've found yourself with more freedom to date? And what do you do after I convince your dad that you are a responsible adult? You run off sleeping over at your boyfriend's house. You disrespected your father and you threaten to move out the very second your dad tries to talk some sense into you! You may be twenty-one, you may be in college and have a job but you will respect your father! He has risked his life countless times to support this family. You know what he does for a living! He has sacrificed so much just to provide for you and this is how you repay him?" She said angrily.

"Mom. I know... I'm sorry." The tears well up in my eyes and fall down my cheeks.

"You know I don't like to yell. I don't enjoy being the one to lecture and lay down the law but this time I was given no choice. Your dad is beyond losing his self-control. He's packed your clothes and books. They're on the sofa. How do you think this makes me feel? You are my daughter but he is my husband. I can't betray his decision. I won't go against his wishes. Do whatever you want to. Go off galavanting around and doing whatever you're doing because you think your an adult. Go right ahead. Your father thinks it's time you got a dose of reality. He says your on your own. I hope you're happy with yourself. The only reason he isn't here right now is because he is too afraid to watch you leave. So I'm forced to be the one to show you the door. Me... Your mother...I have to be the one kicking you out... Do you think I want to be the one to do this? No! I don't. But I don't get a choice."

Mom finally cracked and her face crumbled. She hid her face in her hands and her shoulders shook.

"Mom... I'm sorry. I was mad, dad was mad and I just said some things and I wasn't thinking... I'm so sorry."

I pleaded for her to understand but she was too wrapped up in her own emotions to care what I was telling her. I don't blame her.

"I'll fix this mom. Just give dad a few days to cool off and I'll be back. Everything will be fine. I promise."

She looked up at me from behind her palms and squinted her eyes at me.

"You think staying away for a couple days is going to fix this? You both broke our trust! You don't come home at night or even bother to tell us where you are anymore. You forced me to have to choose between you and your father. You forced your father to make one of the hardest decisions he has ever had to make in his life! You think putting you out of the house was easy for us? You have no fucking idea the hell we've been through these last twenty-four hours because of your selfish choices Alicia! No idea!"

"Mom, I can explain everything you guys just haven't given me a chance!" I yelled as I stood from the kitchen chair.

Luke backed away and walked toward the living room to grab my bags, books, and my viola case.