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“Mia?” He raises an eyebrow at her as she swallows hard in response. I notice her trembling out the corner of my eye. She needs to be strong. She needs to tell him.
“Father…” she lets her voice trail off, her eyes drop to the floor of the room. I sigh, closing my eyes tightly before re-opening them. I need to explain, for the both of us.
“Gavin…let me talk here.” I clear my throat, stepping away from Mia and taking a step forward toward him.
“I wasn’t asking you!” he shouts, giving me one of his looks that screams he’s pissed.
Mia flinches at his words, remaining still from his tone.
“Dammit, Gavin, you can’t just trap her here. She’ll never be able to live her life if you keep her locked up in this house. She never leaves, she’s too busy staying here to attend to your needs. You must’ve known that this was coming sooner or later.” I try to keep my voice calm as I explain, hoping to have some part of him listen to what I’m saying here.
“If anything, I certainly didn’t think any trouble was going to come in large part of my partner. You need to get out of my house before I say something I shouldn’t.”
“No! I love him!” Mia shouts.
8
MIA
I can’t believe I just said that. I really can’t believe I just said those words to my father, but if Jason has to leave, then so shall I. It’s probably the last thing he wants to hear but I’ve never gone against my father until now and it feels empowering to do so.
It feels like I’ve been transformed overnight, as if Jason has taught me to speak up on my emotions, to speak up for myself.
“You don’t know what love is,” my father scoffs, shaking his head at me.
“You never ask me what I want, if I’m even happy. Your focus is on work every minute you’re around and when you’re not focused on work, you’re looking at what you need me to do for you around here. We never have company in this house. I never go anywhere, and you didn’t think that something would finally break? You’re living in an imaginary world right now, father.” I say as calm, but strong as I can.
The sadness in his eyes is clear. He knows I’m not the same little girl he knows me to be. He knows the truth now.
“You’ve betrayed me, Mia,” he whispers, clenching his teeth while trying to remain calm it appears.
“I haven’t betrayed you, father. I’m still right here and that’s what you’re failing to understand. I’v
e always been here for you and I always will, but I’m not the parent here, you are. Now that I’m eighteen, it’s the same way. I’m still here for you, I just need some space from… all of this.”
“What would your mother think of you?” He throws at me.
This is the first time he’s ever thrown mom in my face. He must be thinking that’ll render me speechless, that he will win with those words. Unfortunately, he’s hugely mistaken.
It’s time for me to take charge of my own life.
“I find mom to be applauding me right now. If she could see the way we’re both living, she would feel nothing but sadness for us. You haven’t gone out on a single date since her death.
You haven’t done anything but focus on work, then coming home to bark orders at me. That’s not the life she wanted for you, or me. Just because you don’t want to go out, just because you don’t want to make new friends and take the shot at finding love again, I have to live the same way?
I’ve been living life like this for years and the time has come for me to be on my own. I need to get out and explore the opportunities that are far out there for me, father.” I point toward the window, letting him know there’s life far beyond these walls.
“I give you everything you need. I only want the best for you, Mia.” His voice is shaky. I can tell he’s on the verge of tears but as much as my heart hurts for him, it hurts more for me.
“I feel so trapped here… I didn’t realize until last night.” I say, watching him just stand there staring at me.
He continues to not say a word. He knows I’m right in someway here, he has to see that. I’ve taken care of him without a single complaint since mother’s death and simply because he’s my father. I would never wish him any struggle, even now.
“Dad?”
I don’t know what’s going through his mind, but I do know that he can’t be mad at me for falling in love with the first man that I’ve ever even connected with.
My father shakes his head at me, sadness and disappointment mixed in his emotions on his face. He turns around to walk through the door, heading down the hallway as he leaves without another word spoken. Have I upset him to no return?
