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We're back to the mother's point of view. What will happen next? |
How could I get around this whole video chatting thing? I couldn’t show Megan that it was me, yet. So I sent another text. J: Can’t video chat with you tonight but I can do it later this week. I promise. A small pause. Then… M: You better. I’m tired of waiting. I want to see your face! Instead of answering her, I changed the subject by making her go deep into her family life. J: So, how’s your family doing? M: Why? J: I want to get to know you more. M: M: Um, okay. So, I have a mom and a dad, and that’s it, basically. I don’t have any siblings. I always wanted some, but it's whatever. J: What about your parents? How do you feel about them? M: My parents? Um…my dad’s okay. My mom? Not so much. I froze before typing. J: What’s wrong with your mom? M: Literally everything. She won’t let me do what I want. She won’t let me date or use the internet. She’s literally the worst. I just wish she wasn’t in my life! My hands trembled. I started to feel a pain in my stomach. I shut my laptop and began feeling tears in my eyes. After everything I’d done for her, she decided to treat me this way. I let her use the internet. I let her live in my house. She wouldn’t be on this earth if it weren’t for me! A few minutes later, I heard a knock on my door. “Mom?” my daughter’s sickeningly soft voice said. “Are you okay?” She must've heard my weeping. I didn’t answer. I just wiped the tears from my eyes. “Can I come in?” I still didn’t answer. Yet, she came in, anyway. She faced me, looking nervous. I couldn’t confront her about the chat we just had. Or the chat she just had with “Jac”. “You okay?” she asked again. I looked up and gave her my best glare. She slowly backed away. “Did I do something wrong?” “You are grounded!” I hissed. I meant for my tone to be strong and firm, but it came out weak and broken. I had nothing else to say, but this was the only thing I’d rather say. “You’re grounded!” “What? What did I do?” “No questions. You’re grounded, and that’s that! No internet for a month!” Megan glared back at me. “Are you serious? You can’t do that!” I stood up and looked her in the eye. “I am your mother! I can do whatever I need to keep you in line!” “Mom! Just tell me what I did wrong!” “Go to your room!” “No!” I stormed closer to her. “Go to your room!” “Not until you tell me what I did!” My breaths shook with rage. I grabbed both sides of my head and turned away from her. “I can’t do this right now. I’m tired.” “Mom, just-” I turned back to her. “Go to bed.” “Mom, I-” “I said ‘go to bed’! We’ll talk about this in the morning!” “Ugh!” She stormed out and slammed the door. I didn’t bother switching into my pajamas that night. I just fell back into bed with more tears slipping out. Harrison came in minutes later, laid down, and cuddled me with a kiss on my forehead. “You okay, babe?” “Why do you ask?” “I heard you sobbing. What’s wrong? Is this about Megan?” I sniffled. “Our daughter hates me. I used the Jac Short account and asked her how she felt about us, and she said she wanted nothing to do with me. So I grounded her.” He raised his eyebrows. “Did you tell her why?” “No. I told her to go to her room, instead.” Small silence. “Wh-what did she say about me?” “That you were fine. But she hates me.” I couldn’t help but let my emotions envelop me. I grabbed a part of the blanket and wiped my nose with it. I would have to wash it tomorrow. Harrison sighed. “Someday, you’ll have to tell her the truth.” Another small silence. “I will,” I finally said, about to drift to sleep. “Tomorrow.” |