DELUSIONAL

Chapter 3: Bree

"Can you at least quiet down Tiana. We're not the only ones in this house. Brielle might be listening" his voice was so gentle. It always was. Even when talking to my angry mother

"I do not CARE Chris. I don't care! Let her hear! Let her know her father is a cheat. A lying asshole who can't keep his dick to himself!"

My tiny ten year old self stayed as silent as possible and peeked through their slightly opened bedroom door. I'd never seen them fight like this.

"Darling I didn't do anything. Just calm down and let's talk this out in a quiet manner" he tried to hold her hand and she moved it away like his was hot.

"Don't touch me. Don't you dare touch me!"

"Look Tiana. I need you to believe me. I really didn't do anything okay? It's just a misunderstanding-"

Thwack!

It took him a while to look up and register what just happened before he held his cheek. It was visibly red. The shock was evident on his face as he looked at my mother.

"Tiana, you hit me...you..."

She stormed off while he was talking. I don't know if she saw me but she didn't acknowledge my presence anyway. I looked into the room and his deep blue eyes met my brown ones. We just stared at each other for a while before a tear slipped out of his eye. I immediately walked up to him and gave him a hug.

"You know Bree, there will be times mom and dad will fight. Okay?" I looked up at him and his eyes were shut. He was trying to keep the tears in. For me.
"It's normal. We'll work it out"

That sounded more like a question than a statement. Like he wasn't sure it was going to get better. Ever. The second I looked at him he wiped his cheek.

"It's okay to cry dad. Let it out". He didn't. He didn't want me to see him broken. A man has his pride.

"You, my darling, are a bit too mature for your age". He looked me square in the eyes. I get that a lot. A lot of my age mates don't behave like me. Especially the ones at school. Most of them seem spoiled and they behave like they can't do anything on their own.

"I'm like this because of the two of you".

~

It was as eerie and quiet as I left it.

I hate it. The deafening silence of the house when I'm at home. I should be used to it by now but I'm not. I've always hated it this way.

Because I'm alone

At least I felt like it.

My mother hasn't even been in the house since we moved. She walked in, left her valuables and went off to God knows where for work. That's all she ever does. I mean, I get it, she needs to work for the money. But normal parents would call right? She could've sent someone to check on me if she was busy.

I've stopped asking. About her, about when she's coming back to check on her only child. I get the same answer every single time.

I don't know.

I've stopped looking at my phone to see if she's called.

I've stopped waiting by the door for her to return.

It's useless.

It's useless having to live without the one person who actually cared. Who actually called. He loves me. She doesn't.

I'd rather be with my dad right now. Regardless of what he did. I'd rather have another mom.

But here I am, December twelve, on my bed in a house with no family.

~

"Hey Bree". I cleared my throat. "It's been a while. Sorry I haven't had time for you lately. It's been a long week and I have to tell you everything that happened".

She stared right back at me with her brown eyes. They looked unusually dull today.

"I, I've been going through a lot lately Brielle" a single tear slid out of her eye, falling on her skirt, "I hate where I am right now. It's disgusting. People have segregated me because of what he did. I hate it. I don't know what to do anymore"

She took a moment to stare at her shoes. Like she was lost. Like she was forcing her emotions down. Suddenly, her attitude switched. Her hands were tugging viciously at her hair. The tears were forced out, breath by breath.

"I've only gotten a chance to talk to one person! And I don't even think she genuinely is interested in befriending me, she probably just wants the money and clout."

She sat down on the floor, elbows on knees and fingers buried deep in her hair. Her cries and short breaths echoed through the room.

Calm down Bree

"Why do I have to be like this" she whispered, staring at nothing.

You need to calm down

Yes, I do need to calm down

But I want to let it all out.