“Sir, I, uh, Brooke means nothing to me. I care about your daughter.”
“You care about my daughter? Really?” sarcasm drips from my dad’s voice. Honestly, I’ve never heard this side of him before.
“Oh, now, honey…” Mom is going to try to talk my dad down. Good luck.
With that, I decide I’ve had enough. The words start flying from my mouth. “Okay. I’m done. Mom, you’ve made me feel bad about myself my entire life. You’ve made me ashamed of my body and my appearance. It has to stop. I’m nineteen, and it’s time for you to let it go. I’m not going to get any smaller. There’s nothing I can do to change it aside from plastic surgery.” I pause, thinking about my own words. “Actually, Mom, I’m surprised you haven’t had me under the knife yet––I’m such an embarrassment to you.”
That’s the most I’ve ever said, to anyone, about how my mom makes me feel. It’s sort of exhilarating. I might as well keep going because this chance isn’t going to happen again. I know it. “And while I’m at it, I want to be an art major.”
My dad is glaring at Mom, then he scowls at Bradley before turning to me. “We aren’t embarrassed by you,” my dad says.
Mom is silent. Of course, she is. Vicky’s sitting silent, no doubt astonished by the whole thing. Heck, I actually forgot she was even here. But, when she finally speaks, she says, “Um, you know what, I think Bradley and I should go, don’t you, Bradley?”
With a shrug, Bradley states glumly, “Yeah, I guess.”
“Thank you very much for dinner. Stella, I’m sorry this has happened to you. I’ll talk to you soon, sweetheart. I love you,” says Vicky sympathetically. I’m not surprised by Vicky’s words. While she’s been my mom’s best friend since high school, Bradley’s mom has always been kind to me. It’s strange that she and my mom are so close because Vicky’s personality is the complete opposite of Mom’s and Bradley’s. She’s quiet and reserved and loving.
Mom stands up abruptly and gives Dad a dirty look. Then she turns to Vicky and Bradley. “Let me walk you out.”
“No, we know the way, Candy. Thanks again. Dinner was delicious.”
“Good night, Vicky. Bradley,” says Mom.
Dad stays quiet. I’d love to say it was strange that the only person who apologized and said they loved me was Vicky, but it’s not. Once the front door clicks shut, I get up from my chair. It's time to pack my bag and head back to school tonight. Dealing with my parents anymore this weekend is more than I can take. Mom and Dad don’t say a word. They stare at each other from either end of the table. It’s beyond tense.
Funny, I sort of feel good about the whole thing—at least the part about me saying what I’ve wanted and needed to say for years.
I tiptoe away,leaving them to talk or whatever. I know I’ve said everything I need to say, but there are still parts of what just happened that are disappointing. Like the fact that those two people in my dining room are supposed to be onmyside. I think it’s possible for my dad to feel that way but not Mom. However, he still didn’t believe me when I told him about Alex. He just couldn’t believe I could meet someone like him or that someone like Alex would want me. Maybe I should have been more forthcoming while we watched the football game. But the stuff with Bradley hadn’t been hashed yet––no, it wasn’t the right time, and I’m not going to second-guess myself at this point. It doesn’t matter when I told him about Alex, he should have believed me. He should know that I wouldn’t just make something like that up. I’ve never been that kind of person.
Maybe Dad’s right, though. That Ihavebeen living in a fantasy world. Alex Emerson is one of those guys who will end up on magazine covers next to supermodels, and I’m… well, I’m just me. Average Stella Matthews––future cat lady. It’s okay. Cats are cool. I’ve never had a pet before. Mom wouldn’t hear of it. So, that’s something to look forward to.
In my room, I gather my things. I hadn’t really unpacked, so it only takes a couple of minutes. After grabbing my bag, I walk quietly down the stairs. I don’t even want to tell them I’m leaving. They’ll hear my car pull away and get the idea. As I sneak toward the door, I hear their raised voices coming from the dining room. I hear my name, so of course I stop to listen. I know it’s wrong, but I want to know what they think of me behind my back. It can’t be any worse than what they say to my face, right?
“Candy, enough is enough,” I hear my dad saying. “I’ve heard you talk about Stella in this disparaging way for too long. She’s a beautiful girl. Does she really believe she’s dating Emerson or is she just saying that to soften the blow of losing Bradley? It’s hard to tell,” Dad questions aloud.
“She could have Bradley back anytime she wants,” Mom remarks.
“Do you sincerely want her to be with someone who cheats on her?”
“Well, no, but Bradley is a logical choice for her. He’s willing to marry her.”
“Willingto marry her?” Dad’s voice sounds incredulous. “Is that what we want for her? Someone willing to marry her? I, for one, want Stella to be happy, even if that means she never gets married.”
“I’d like grandchildren someday,Jim.” Mom sounds snippy.
“Well, I want grandchildren too but not at the expense of her happiness.”
“I don’t know what you’re talking about. Bradley would make her a fine husband. He could make her happy.”
“Again, Candy, he’s a cheater,” my dad says angrily.
“Maybe she misunderstood what was happening? He’s a normal young man?—”
“Candy.” There’s a long pause. “I was young once too, and I never cheated on you. If it’s normal for Bradley, it should be normal for every man according to that logic. That’s not what we want for her. At least that’s not whatIwant for her. What I want is for her to be happy.”
“I want her to be happy too, Jim.”
“Do you? Because it doesn’t come across that way. You’re extremely critical of her. It’s been going on too long. I should have intervened before today. Then maybe she wouldn’t feel compelled to make up all-American boyfriends,” Dad mutters.
