I was sitting before my dad again but this time I was furious. I was unhappy. I was.... Helpless.
"I want you to relax, Son." My Dad said. "Your mom told me about your reaction the other day..."
My eyes widened. "D...Dad...You...You."I couldn't control my tears. "You knew..."
"Weeks before your arrival." He said.
"Why would you let that happen, Dad?" I asked. "All I ever wanted was for us to live as one big family again... As we lived before.
"That's exactly what will happen, Son." He said. "Dennis..."
"I hate the man, Dad." I said. "A man who does nothing but mock my father is not worthy of becoming my Stepfather."
"Leo..."
"Do you know how hard this is for your, Amber?" I cut in. "The girl is unhappy."
"Leo..."
"What happened to our opinion?" I asked. "When did it stop to matter, Dad?"
"Son..."
"End this now, Dad!" I was yelling so much that if Officer Bond hadn't ordered that whenever I came to visit my Dad everyone should give us some space, I would have been kicked out. "This is so unfair, Dad."
"Enough!" Dad ordered softly.
"Dad..."
"I said Enough!" He ordered again but this time he was yelling. "What's the matter with you, Leo?" He asked."You think I wanted any of these to happen?"
I stared at him. I have never seen him this angry before. I couldn't say anything. All I did was cry.
"I'm sorry for bursting out like that." He said calmly. "Try to understand... I'm fighting so hard to be strong about it."
"Why did you agree to it, then?"
"Leo... I love your mother." He said. "I just want her to be happy."
"That man isn't going to make her happy." I said. "He's only pretending"
"It's gonna be fine, Son."
I bowed my head in anger.
"Just promise me one thing, Son." I nodded. "Promise me you'll always be here for me."
"I promise, Dad."
"I'll love to take a rest now, Son." I nodded. "Say hi to your sister."
I stood and walked away slowly.
"Leo..." Officer Bond placed his hand on my shoulder. "Try to be strong... For your father, at least."
"You know?"
"Your father told me everything." He said. "Just relax"
I nodded.
"And if you ever need anything, you're always welcome."
"Thanks Officer."
"It's nothing much." He said. "Your Dad would have done more if I were the one."
"Thanks again."
I walked back home sadly. My mind went back to all the good times we had as a family. I was hopeless now.
As I entered, I was irritated at the sight of my mom making out with Dennis on the couch. They were so into the act that they didn't even notice my presence. I rolled my eyes and head to my room upstairs.
I flung myself on my bed and pummeled my fist on the pillow. I was so upset.
I decided to check up on Amber.
"Come in!" She called after I knocked.
I opened the door and entered.
"Are you alright, Rose?" I asked her.
"How can I be?"
I sat on the bed beside her.
"Dad asked me to say hi to you." She looked at me.
"I always wanted him to come back so we can live as old times." She said. "But now... It's gonna be difficult with Goofy around."
I laughed. I knew she was referring to Dennis. "How long have they been dating?"
"Three months." I said. "Whenever they are here playing lovydovy, I just spend the night at Stacy's."
Stacy is Officer Bond's last daughter and Amber's bestie.
"This is the worst Christmas ever." I said.
"I agree." Amber said.
"I know somewhere we can hang." I said. "Somewhere in Berverly Hills."
She looked at me. I could tell that she was surprised. "Who do you know in Berverly Hills?"
"My friend at School, George, lives there."
"I forgot... Everyone at your school is rich." She said.
"Should we go?" I asked. She nodded without any hesitation.
I picked up my phone and dialled George's phone.
"Hey George."
"Leo, my man." He said. "What is up?"
"Nothing really." I said. "I was wondering if my sister and I could come over to your place for a couple of days."
"Er..." He paused. "Give me a minute." He said. "Mom!Dad! Leo was wondering if he could come over for a while."
"Sure!" I heard them chorus in the background.
"Sure!" He said.
"Thanks, man." I said.
"Anytime."
We hung up and I turned to my sister.
"I guess we better start packing." I said.
She smiled at me. I smiled back. I always love seeing her happy.