"This won't take long." He sounds serious, more serious than usual.
"What is it?"
"I don't think I've made myself clear in our previous conversations."
"Clear about what?"
"You going to Haverhill. This isn't an option, Brook. You WILL be going back there. I've already paid for it and I've found a house to rent."
"You rented a house? Does Mom know?"
"Yes. I even sent her photos of it. I haven't signed the paperwork yet but I will later this week. This is happening, Brook, whether you like it or not."
"I'm not going back there. You can't force me to. I thought Mom already talked to you about this."
"She did, and she explained that the reason you won't leave is because of a boy. I'm not letting some boy ruin your future, Brook."
"Dean is not ruining my future. He makes me happy."
"You are NOT dating the son of a convicted felon. Seriously, Brook where is your head? You know better than that. Is this all some kind of act to get my attention?"
He sounds just like Chad. I never realized the two of them were so similar.
"Dean is nothing like his father. He's a good person. How do you even know about Dean's dad?"
"Chad told me. He sent me some links to the stories online. The boy's father nearly killed his mother, and has been charged with assaulting other women as well. And this is who you choose to be with?"
"His dad did those things. Dean didn't."
"Like father, like son. Violence is a trait that doesn't go away. Children see it and repeat the pattern themselves. I have colleagues that work in criminal law. They've seen it a million times. Children repeat the criminal behavior of their parents, especially sons."
"Dean isn't violent," I say, getting angry. "You don't know him. You've never even met him. Chad's the violent one. He forced himself on me and nobody seems to care."
"What do you mean he forced himself on you?"
"He came here to the apartment when Mom wasn't home. I told him to leave but he wouldn't. He grabbed me and kissed me and wouldn't let go."
"He's your boyfriend. It's not inappropriate for him to kiss you."
"He's not my boyfriend, and I didn't want him kissing me." I take a breath. "Dad, I get that you want me to be with Chad, or someone like him, but it's not going to happen. I'm with Dean now, and that's not going to change."
"Then you can say goodbye to my financial support. If you do this, Brook, you're on your own for college. And I won't be buying you a car."
My throat burns as I fight back tears. Why is he being this way? I'm his daughter. Why won't he listen to me? Why doesn't he want me to be happy?
"What about all that stuff you said about wanting me to go to a good school?"
"Why bother going to a good college if you're already making plans to destroy your future? You might as well just get a job at a gas station and call it good. Have a couple kids. Go on public assistance."
"That's not what's going to happen."
"It is if you stay with this boy. You live in a fantasy world, Brook. You always have. You don't understand how the real world works."
"You really think I'm that stupid?" I ask as a tear slips down my cheek.
"You may be book smart but you're not smart when it comes to knowing how the world works. Success comes from surrounding yourself with the right people. Making the right connections. Just look at Madison. This yoga class she teaches has led to her getting a small part in a movie. She took that job knowing it would connect her with people who could get her a part, and it worked."
He's using Madison as an example? Seriously? Knowing her, she slept with the director to get the part. It had nothing to do with her stupid yoga class.
