The Secrets We Carry

Chapter Twenty- Seven | The Monster

Liv

We were leaving in five days. Five days!
They couldn't come soon enough. The tension at home was running high with our dad. He's lost his temper quite a few times the last week. Slapping, belting and kicking Adam. I know he's said he wants to fight back but he promised both Angela and I that he wouldn't. We didn't want things escalating and him being dragged down to the basement. Which thankfully hasn't happened.

Today is graduation day for Adam, James, Josh and Angela.
I'm in my room getting ready while Adam is in his.
My dad has already let us know to be downstairs in half hour for photos. Posing like the perfect family he portrays us to be. It makes me sick.

Once I'm done I head down to see my dad and Adam talking. Adam seems tense his body drawn in, shoulders hunched and head down. His stance of subservience.

"Ok, perfect we're all here." My dad says as I walk into the living room. He has a snake like smile on his face.
I feel the hatred towards him rising. It's only become stronger the last couple of months. Pushing it down I give my best smile as he walks toward me putting his arm around my shoulder.

The tripod is already setup and we take different poses for twenty minutes until he's thoroughly satisfied.

"We're leaving in five." He says as he takes the tripod and camera and leaves towards his office.

"You ok?" I finally ask Adam once we're alone. He looks at me and his eyes don't match his response.

"Ya I'm good." He gives me a small smile. I'm not sure if he's trying to reassure me or himself but I'm not convinced.

"You sure?" I try again.

He lets out a sigh turning to me. "Dad's just being, well dad." He rubs hand over his face. "He just can't give me one day to be happy. One day without the looming threat of pain." He hangs his head looking down.

The hatred returns at full force. "I hate him Adam." I whisper.

He looks up at me and shakes his head. "Don't." He steps forward and takes my hand. "You have a good heart. Don't let him poison it. Having hatred for him will do just that. It will harm you more than it will ever hurt him."

I take in his words. Even after everything this man has put him through he thinks of me. Of not wanting me to be ruined by the life we've been given.

"Promise me you won't hold on to the hatred. You'll find a way to let it go."

"I promise." I say nodding my head. He pulls me into a tight embrace and I feel myself melt into him. Feel the love replace any other emotion I was feeling.

"Isn't this touching?" His voice claws us apart. "Didn't I say we were leaving?" We both look at him.

"Yes, sorry." Adam says walking towards the front door.

I take a deep inhale before following him, brushing past the monster.

The ceremony was beautiful and the decorations were stunning. The gold and white stood out against the black back drop. Everyone was excited and the atmosphere in the school auditorium was alive.

After the ceremony you could hear everyone laughing as they took pictures and made plans for the summer and future ahead. People were hugging goodbye and crying happy tears. Our dad was off talking to Josh's parents while the group all hung out together.

"So we'll do dinner and a celebration tomorrow then?" Angela confirms with the group. We all nod in agreement. Before starting to take selfie's and pictures of each other. I watch as Angela and Adam are making goofy faces for the camera and end in a sweet kiss photo. My heart swelling at the happiness he so deserves.