"I'm too old to be grounded."
"The rules haven't changed around here just because you're an adult. I’m still your dad and can discipline how I see fit."
"I’d rather be on the streets than be grounded and stuck inside…with Theo."
My dad wipes his dirty palms on his jeans. "Then be careful with the glass around the pool. I don’t want any accidents."
"I will. I promise. I've made progress with my dishes, right?"
"Yes, thank you. Molly appreciates the help."
"Speaking of Molly, she and Theo are at lunch?"
My dad nods his head as he pulls out a giant crabgrass weed and tosses it in his pail.
"Has she mentioned anything about Theo since he's been back?"
"In terms of?"
"His personality? The way he won't look at you or give you the time of day?"
"That's nothing new, honey. I'm used to it. And it's okay. If he doesn't like me, he doesn't like me. I know how hard it was for you when we started dating. I will always love your mother, and I miss her every day."
I miss her every day.
Oh shit, I think I said that to Theo last night. Did I cry? Oh my gosh, I cried in front of him. It's all coming back to me. I started crying, forced him into bed with me— perhaps against his will—and we slept together.
Groaning and rubbing my head, my dad takes this as an indicator I'm feeling nostalgic about my mom.
"It's okay, Amelia. I go through good days and bad days, too."
I let my dad assume we are on the same page instead of admitting I'm having major regrets about my decision-making skills last night.
"Why is Theo so standoffish? Have you ever asked him?"
"I've talked to Molly about it. She tried talking to him, but he shuts down. We've decided to let it be."
"I don't like that he's rude to you. In our home."
"It's Molly's home now, too."
"It's not, though," I grumble.
My dad looks at me, and the conversation happens without even saying the words.
I need to accept that, while this will always be my childhood home, Molly lives here now. Not my mom. Not the three of us like we did when I was a child. My dad and his second wife. And despite them being together for almost a decade, it's still a fresh wound that hasn't healed.
EventhoughTheostatedour conversation wasn't over, I avoid him when he returns home from lunch. Correction. I have no clue when he and Molly come home because I borrowed my dad's car to go for a drive.
During my cruise along the coast, I called Lucille, and we set up a dinner date in two days.
She's officially retired, so she has all the time to meet up now.
I'm happy for her, but part of my brain– the one that doesn't think rationally– hoped she'd start her own company and surprise me with a position, and we'd all live happily ever after.
Except I know these uncomplicated, magical endings don't always happen in real life.
But a girl can hope, right?
