Don’t read this, Mrs. Dunphrey.
While I was working at the Burger Boy last night. Dad took Matt over to Children’s Palace and bought him a big Nintendo system, even better than the one I was going to get. When I got home from work, Dad had it all set up, and they were playing some video game that had to do with saving the world from invading aliens.
Matt wanted me to come play with them, but I told him it was past his bedtime.
“Any adult should know that,” I said. And then I was scared, because that was the kind of thing that would have really set Dad off in the past. I was lucky—I don’t think Dad heard me because the video game was so loud.
“Ti-ish, please play with us,” Matt said.
“If she doesn’t want to play, that’s her problem,” Dad said. “It’s just more time for us, right? More father-son time. This is a boy’s game—we don’t need any girls.”
“Right,” Matt echoed. “No gi-irls allowed, Tish.”
I went back to my bedroom so mad I wanted to hit somebody. I pounded on the bed over and over again, until Mom yelled, “Tish, stop that!”
And I couldn’t yell back at her, either, because she and Dad are so lovey-dovey now he’d probably beat me if I said anything to her.
I wish I could be like Mom and Matt and just smile, smile, smile—who cares that Dad was gone for two years? He’s back now. Who cares that he yelled all the time and broke dishes and hit Mom and sometimes even me? He’s not hitting anybody now.
Yet.
If Granma were here, she’d be on my side. She’d tell Mom and Matt how stupid they’re being.
Tish,
Okay. Do think about The Lodestar…