Everyone sat at the dinning table with a very tense aura hanging in the air. Evie noticed this and knew it had no other meaning, she just kept still and started chewing her food ever so slowly. She looked beside her and saw that Dave also got the message.
"hmph hmph". Felix cleared his throat.
Knowing fully well what was coming after, all I had to do was wait. A double cough begins advice or complaints. A single but regular shows mom's upset and he's trying to get her attention. Triple means big announcement (good or bad) just like the one that was told few weeks ago that they were moving out of the house (what short notice). All that was left was for her dad to spill the beans.
"Evie,...."
'And there you have it. It's me again. Let's just get this over with.' she thought.
"Your mom and I have been..." he was caught mid- sentence when mom nudged him with her elbow.
"hmph hmph... I've been hearing reports on your behavior and I've been thinking... is this really how you want to live your life? Scaring people off and leaving bad impressions is not a good way to live. I know you say it's cause they cause you trouble. But is retaliation really the best way to resolve it? You know I don't like it when I hear reports like this, honey. Do you really have an excuse to be.... rebellious?" He said in a calm but still offended tone.
'my turn.' she said in her head.
Sniffing two times, she started "Do you really think that's how I am daddy? I know mom told you all those things and it's only cause she hates me..." acting as cute as possible, she continued " So, you believe I'm a bad, evil, wicked, rebellious and unwanted child who just goes around and hurt people. I don't just bear in mind to just hurt anyone, it's my NATURE, you know. I'm really sad right now cause sometimes you make me want to cry. You hurt my feelings daddy." she said wiping fake tears and keep her eyes fixed to her other freehand on her thighs.
Quickly holding her hand that wiped her face and pulling her head to his chest, he quickly apologized "Oh, honey. I'm so so so sorry. I didn't mean to hurt your feelings. I was only trying to make corrections but... nevermind. It's okay now, daddy's got you. You don't have to feel bad, okay?" he said patting her back.
"Daddy? Do you really think I'm rebellious?" she said grabbing his shirt at the back as she leaned in closer.
"No, honey. Never. I take back what I said. Now don't cry. Finish up your food so I can take you to go get your favorite ice cream."
"And anything I want?" she added not moving
"Yes, honey. And anything you want."
"What? Just like that? What about me? You can't just leave me out of the fun." Dave who watched everything that was being put up right in front of his eyes but stayed quiet finally spoke up.
"Fine, you too. But Evie's going to be the star of the show. Aren't you, honey?"
"Yes, daddy." she said, eating up what was left of her sandwich.
She looked over at her mom who still had her jaw hanging low.
What did you think she meant when she said 'let's get this over with' ?
He scolds her, she acts cute, he apologizes, she demands, end of story. She wins.
'Sorry dad, I don't mean to fool you but... that's just my only way out.' She actually felt it somewhere deep down that he was not fooled, but he prefers pampering her to scolding her. I mean, who can resist all that cuteness?
They'll be leaving the house at about 5:30am the next morning. Heaven knows what is waiting in stock for them.