TIFFIN

31

Hey everyone (: thought this song was perfect for Kristina and her father <3
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"Please no," I begged, "I've made so many friends and I've been acing so many tests..."

My father raised his eyebrows. "What? Friends like that tattooed freak?"

"No," I replied, feeling myself begin to cry, "Josephine. She and I have gotten along so well and we are so much alike. Please, you know I never had any friends. Just give me one more chance."

My father turned his chin up at me, looking down at me like I was some manure he'd stepped in. 

"You mentioned that you've been acing all your tests?"

"Yes," I managed to choke out through a congested throat, "please. I swear... I will never do anything like this again. I just need my schooling more than anything."

I suddenly remembered my first kiss. My father didn't ever need to know about that. 

With one last look at my mother, my father nodded, seeming satisfied for the time being. 

"Fine. But you must promise that this..." He paused as if looking for more nasty names for Hero. "This..."

"Father, I know that you're not his biggest fan, but you do know that he is a boy. A person just like everyone else here."

My father scoffed dispassionately. "Who are you, Kristina? I don't even recognize you half the time anymore. At times, I wonder what I even taught you for. Your grandpa was right. I should have sent you away."

I stared back at him, with hurt going through my heart. Neither he or my grandpa had ever mentioned this. 

"You don't mean that," I replied in a shaky voice, my eyes beginning to water.

"Oh, I do," My father said with a neutral expression, "And I'm sure your mother feels the same."

With one look at my mother, I could tell she had conflicted feelings. Her eyes searched back and forth between my father and me, wanting to say something, but eventually remained silent, nodding her head. 

"You must promise that the boy will stay far away from you and this room." My father ordered.

I immediately nodded. "I swear..."

"And to be sure that happens," He went on, "I will be sending someone to keep an eye on you. I don't care if I have to get with the board and sue them. I will make that happen."

I sighed. "Please. Do not send another employee of yours or whoever that man was."

My father, for a moment, looked like he pitied me, but he ended up shrugging in the end. 

"I will send whoever I please."

As my father turned to leave, I couldn't help, but scream at his back:

"DO YOU REALLY NOT CARE? WOULD YOU REALLY RATHER ME HURT?"

My father swiveled around on his heels. He pinned me with a deathly glare. 

"When you mature," He began, "you will understand there are bigger things to worry about, bigger fish to fry. My father taught me with a burned iron stake, taught me that you need to be agile... tough. You should be thankful I taught you with a lot less... You do not have it bad Kristina. This is tough love!"

"Tough love?" I retorted. 

"Yes," My father replied, for once seeming remorseful, "Tough love. My father was an unforgiving man. You must know that. This is how I know to raise you. This is how I know to love."

I didn't know what to say. I stood frozen to the spot, giving my father a blank look. 

"As I said," My father continued, "I will be sending someone to watch over you. I'll expect a call tonight,"

He then rushed over to my mother, gripping her hand tightly, and made his way out as fast as he could.

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