Catharsis [Novel]

CHAPTER FOURTEEN

CHAPTER FOURTEEN

            Dad doesn't yell at me.  Once I finish my story, it’s nearly time for my mom and sister to get up, so we don't have long to discuss the events.  I think he picked up on the please-be-on-my-side-and-don't-yell-at-me vibe that I was trying hard to send out.  As I spoke, I had felt his anger ebb away and be replaced briefly by doubt.  But even that mostly dissipated as I spoke and needed for him to believe me.  The more I wanted him to believe me, the more he seemed to do it (I wish all our previous arguments had gone this way, but they never had.  Probably for a reason.).

              "Do you want to go to the police?" he asks me once I've completed telling him everything I'd planned to say. "I'm not sure exactly what we can tell them.  You don't seem to have been abducted as far as I can tell (Only because I left that part out.  And I don't think the police would have been any help to me.  If anything, they would have been a hindrance.).  You seem to be relatively healthy.  No cuts, bumps or injuries.  But we can speak to them if it'd make you feel better."

            "No.  I don't see any point in going to them, but thanks,” I say.  “I really appreciate you offering.  I don't know what happened last night, but I doubt they'd be able to help."

            "So what do you want to do about today, then?  Do you need to stay home and sleep?  Do you want to go to school still?  After all that you went through, I'll trust you to decide on what would work best.  You're a big girl."  He smiles at me, and I can see the smile reflected in his eyes.  It’s nice to see that softness return to him after being absent the last hour.

            It’s not an easy question to answer.  I don't really want to deal with school today (Or any day for that matter.  What kid does?), but at the same time a little normality and structure might be nice.  Plus, I’m not tired.  At all.  My stomach’s still growling, but it isn't as bad as it was previously.  Maybe a couple of bowls of Lucky Charms will calm it down, or maybe being at school will serve as a nice distraction and keep my mind off of whatever’s happening to me.  There’s no way to be sure, but it’s worth a try.

            "I think I'll go to school, but thanks for letting me stay home if I wanted to.  After last night, I just want to get back to normal.  And school is most definitely, and unfortunately, normal."

            "Ok," he says.  "But call me if anything gets worse.  I'll make sure to keep my phone on me today." 

            He has stayed surprisingly calm throughout all this.  I know I had wanted him to stay calm, and I had been thinking about it, but I didn't think he'd actually do it. 

            "And Cat," he says and stands up.  "As far as your mother and sister go, let's not tell them anything about this.  For all they need to know, you came home late, were yelled at, got grounded, and now you're remorseful."

            Grinning, I nod.  "I can agree to that."

            He turns to leave the kitchen and to let me get ready on my own when I notice light coming from the far window in the living room.  Daylight!  And my eyes.  That won’t be good.

            "Hey dad!" I stop him before he gets through the archway.  "I could use a favor for today."

            "Yes?"  His voice has a patient, but slightly exasperated tone to it. 

            "Could you write me a note to wear sunglasses today at school.  I'm worried about the lights and my eyes.  I mean the teachers might not accept it, but I'll take it to Mrs. Pritchett, our school nurse.  Maybe if I let her check out my eyes and I give her a note from you, she'll write me something to let me keep them on.  With how my eyes were last night with streetlights and headlights, I'm a bit leery of the light in the classrooms."

            "I can do that," he replies.  "And get something more to eat.  I can hear your stomach from here."

            I hadn't been paying attention, but now that he’s mentioned it I also notice my gut has been singing its own lonesome song.  I’m not thrilled about putting more tasteless gruel into it, but I feel fairly certain that ignoring it won’t fix it either.

            Grabbing a box of leprechaun-inspired cereal and a bowl, I prepare myself for school.

And my last day of formal education.  Ever.