He watches me for a long moment, then he sighs.
“Here’s what’s going to happen,” he says. Voice still calm. Still reasonable. “You’re not seeing those boys again. You’re not going to their games. You’re staying home to help more with Zinnia and the house.”
“Dad—” I try to protest, but he shakes his head.
“This is temporary,” he continues. “Until you prove you can be trusted again. Until you show me you’re a responsible adult.”
“I’m twenty,” I say quietly. “I have college. I have my own life. Sure, I can watch Zinnia because that was part of the deal, but––”
“You live under my roof, kid.”
“I know, but—”
“You eat my food. You use my car. You rely on me for everything.” He leans forward again. “So yes, you’re twenty. But you’re stillmydaughter. And you’ll follow my rules as long as you’re here. Understand?”
I open my mouth to argue, but tears fall from my eyes. I shout, “You have no idea––”
A door opens down the hall.
Zinnia walks into the room with tears streaming down her face. “Stop it! Please just stop!”
My heart aches for her.
I’m on my feet immediately. “It’s okay, Zinni. We’re just talking.”
“Stop fighting,” she sobs.
My dad’s expression softens instantly. “Sweetheart, no one’s fighting. I promise.”
But Zinnia’s eyes are locked on mine.
I cross the room to her, kneel down, and pull her into a hug.
“I’m sorry,” I whisper. “I’m so sorry.”
“Don’t leave again,” she begs. “Please don’t leave me ever again.”
My throat closes up.
“Come on,” I say gently. “Let’s get you back to bed.”
I walk her down the hall to her room and tuck her in. I smooth her hair back from her face.
“Can you stay with me?” she whispers.
I nod. “Yeah. I’ll stay.”
I climb into bed next to her and pull the blanket over us both.
She curls into my side, still sniffling.
My heart is racing. My mind is spinning.
She cries, holding onto me. My heart sits heavy, feeling extremely guilty for leaving her. I know I can’t leave her again. But I know I also can’t stay here forever. At some point, I need to live my own life. I hold onto her tighter, not knowing what’s going to happen in the future. I can’t stay here until I’m thirty years old because I was afraid to abandon my little sister.
But leaving doesn’t seem like an option right now. It would set off my dad again. Make him angrier. Make things harder for her if I’m not around.
So I’ll stay. I’ll let his anger die down. I’ll listen to him. Do as he says. Help more with Zinnia and around the house.
