“Sir, I’m afraid the gentleman hasn’t done anything to you for you to press charges.”
My dad snarls in response. “So you’re not going to do anything?”
“I didn’t say that. I’m going to escort him off the property, and if you have any more problems give us a call.” The officer looks at Journey with a disgusted look and walks over to Scotty.
“You lied,” I growl.
Journey tosses her long wavy hair over her shoulder, she looks thinner than usual. “I love him, Tate.”
“Love?” I can’t help but snarl at the word. “He obviously feels the same. How long have you been together? What do you even know about him?” I ramble.
“We have been together a month, and I know a lot about him, thank you very much,” she snaps.
I shake my head. Chloe was right, Journey is a mess. Blood drips from her inflamed nose, staining her dress.
“Yeah, it looks like love.” My tone drips with sarcasm.
Glancing back at the officer and Scotty, they are walking different ways. The officer back to his cruiser, and Scotty is headed toward a newer model Mustang.
“When did you get in?” Dad asks. He has that face, the one with disapproval. It reminds me of someone being constipated.
“Um, yesterday.”
“Yesterday?!”
“It’s late, I’ll explain in the morning.”
Dad’s brows fall inward. “Everything okay?”
The Mustang drives away, and the cop follows. Keeping my eyes on the taillights I reply, “Yeah, everything is fine. Just left school early.”
He sighs, clearly frustrated with me.
“What does that mean?”
Lowering my head, my shoulders tense. I am stressed to the max and would fall to my knees in praise if I could unleash the anger running through my veins right now. I can’t think when I’m this pent up. I just need to get this over with and tell him.
“I dropped out of school. I’m back home. For good.” I don’t lie, I just tell him half the truth.
“WHAT!?” His voice echoes through the neighborhood. I’m sure the cop is going to be turning around for a round two at the Davis household tonight.
Bringing my stare to Dad’s, I square my shoulders and lift my chin. Coming here is what I want. One hundred percent. I am not backing down. Not this time.
“I’m sorry Dad, but school is not for me. You told me to try it out, and I did. Truth be told, I gave up trying long ago, I just didn’t want to hurt you so I stayed there and was miserable. I gave up everything! Things I can never get back!” My heart aches as I look at the house next to my dad’s. You know when some people say you don’t know what you had ‘til it’s gone, well that happened to me. I had an amazing guy who was my best friend and I gave it up. I had a road paved for fighting, and I left it behind. Mourning and grief make an eighteen-year old girl more vulnerable than you might think. I was confused, and I didn’t know what to do. So I made a choice I thought was right and tried to move forward.
Rolling his lips onto each other, Dad’s nose scrunches in anger. The blood rushing to his face makes the scars of his previous life shine with honor. A lot of people might be afraid of my dad’s temper, but not me. I like it when he’s mad, it reminds me of the dad I used to have.
“You’re making a mistake,” he seethes.
“Maybe.” I shrug. “But at least it’ll be my decision and my mistake to make.”
“Your mother would be so disappointed,” he jabs, and my nose flares as my chest constricts with sadness.
“That’s a low blow for someone who doesn’t fucking box anymore.” His eyes go as wide as saucers. I’m not supposed to bring up his boxing career. He gave up everything too after we found out Mom was sick. Our lives fell apart after that.
“Just stop!” Journey holds both her hands out, as if she’s trying to split us up. Her tie dyed dress swaying at her feet.
Journey sniffs, running her hand under her bloody nose.
“I can’t believe you let him hit you.” I flex my fingers. If that cop hadn’t been there, I would have decked that asshole.
“I don’t hit people Tate, I love them.”
I palm my face.
“Oh my God, you’re a hippie. When did this happen?” I groan in disbelief.
“At least she listens to me,” Dad snides, rubbing the back of his neck.
“Right, because eating flowers, shitting rainbows, and getting smacked in the face by your boyfriend is ideal over me dropping out of school to fight professionally.”
They both look at me stunned.
“You’re what!” My dad rubs at his chin, his face as white as cotton. Shit, I didn’t mean to let that last one slip.
“Don’t even!” I point at him, warning him he’s edging on my last nerve.
“I forbid it!” Dad looks at me with a blister red face.
“Funny thing, I don’t care what you want anymore. You don’t want to fight that is your decision and your life. But, I’m living mine now.”