The Invisible String Keeping Me With You

3. Control

I quickly reapply my lipstick as I hear a knock at the door. "I'll get it," I say as I run to the door. "Richie! Thank god you are here before dad. Just so you know I am counting dad to have his ridicules towards you tonight. Plus you are the prize child so it wouldn't hurt you to have some negative attention," I smile up at my brother.

"Why hello to you too," he laughs "I'm glad you are happy that my decisions can be used for your happiness."

"Oh please, dad won't do anything as bad as he does to me all the time." I take a big sip of my white wine. Something I will be doing a lot for me to make it through tonight in one piece.

"Where's my homeboy?" Richie asks.

"Your homeboy?" I raise an eyebrow, "oh you must mean MY boyfriend, the guy who sleeps with your sister?" I question with a giggle. "Oh my god, Lils you really had to say that? Now I want to punch him. I can't get that image out of my head," he responds.

"What image can't you get out of your head?" Bentley comes from the bathroom to meet us in the kitchen.

"You sleeping with my sister. You need to stay away from me for the next 30 minutes, I don't want to punch you," Richie answers. "Noted. Has your dad arrived yet?"

"No not yet," I responded, "should be here any minute though." The doorbell rings as soon as I finish speaking. "I'll get it," I declare, "get ready for the hell show."

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My father was polite while we waited for dinner to finish cooking. We discuss his work and how my first couple weeks of work have been. He actually acknowledges Bentley and asks him how his work is doing. Which shocked everyone.

Now we are seated at the kitchen table. All of us having wine, I hold my wine very close to me. As we begin to eat I try to make small talk but I'm quickly interrupted as my dad talks over me and asks, "So Richard, how has working at the law firm I set you up at going?" I take a giant sip out of my wine, inpaticating for what's to come.

"Actually dad, I quit my job there two months ago, I work at a different law firm that focuses on family court," my brother responds.

"You did what?!? What are you thinking? You know how much effort I had to put into getting you a job at a criminal law firm? And you quit it for Family law? I guess you are really like your mother," my dad screams. I finish my glass of wine and pour myself more.

"Don't bring her up in this. This is between me and you. I quit the law firm because I wasn't happy where I was. I'm happy where I am now," my brother states.

"Oh please, you will be off to the new law firm in four months once you get bored. I know this because that's what you have done your whole life. Bouncing from different schools across Canada."

"Would both of you shut up," escapes from my mouth before I realize what I said. "Please stop, he didn't do anything bad and we all know that what you are saying isn't true. Richie has been a star child since he was born. Should Richie have told you before he quit? Yes but that is in the past and he is happy where he is now." Bentley grabs my thigh with his hand. Telling me to stop.

"Lily don't interrupt me. You don't want me to get started on your poor choices in your life. Starting with your good for nothing boyfriend, who somehow has you living with him still. And should we talk about you being a teacher instead of a doctor or a lawyer. Or should we talk about how you dress like you are some hooker when you go out," my father states.

"First off, those are not poor choices, they just are not choices that you agree with. Secondly my 'good for nothing' boyfriend is sitting right beside me and happens to be an architect. He hasn't done anything for you to think any of those things, so you owe him an apology," I point towards Bentley, "Thirdly, my career has no effect on you so why does it matter to you?It was my choice to become a teacher, not yours. And finally what I wear is MY choice and it really doesn't have anything to do with you. Which for the record is why you think it's a poor choice because you can't control my life. So kindly fuck off. This is my life not yours." My father slams his hands on the table.

"Who do you think you are to talk to me like that? And for your boyfriend, he isn't someone who is good enough for my daughter. You should be married to a good consertive lawyer who can provide you with anything you need. Someone who has a good head on their shoulders," my father looks Bentley head to toe with anger in his eyes as he responds to me.

I stand up, "no you want someone who shares the same values as you and would control everything I do. Who do you want me with Brad?" I say with bitterness at my tongue. Bentley is grabbing on to my arm, trying to get me to stop.

"That's actually who I'm talking about. Brad was good to you, he had his head on straight and is a lawyer now. Knows what his priorities are."

"Brad cheated, manipulated me and verbally abused me dad," I say as I walk around the table to be in my father's face. "You rather me be with someone who makes me miserable than me be in love and happy with someone who doesn't control my life. My god dad, no wonder mom wanted to get a divorce. You want to control aspects of our lives. But guess what dad you can't control our lives anymore. We all grew up and won't take it. So maybe it's time for you to just accept the fact-" I'm cut off when my father's hand meets my face. Bentley is up and pulling me away from my father, pushing me behind him. Richie is holding my dad back.

"You did not just hit me, in my own house. You need to leave now," I yell while tears roll down my face.

My father responds with laughter, "I will leave whenever the hell I feel like it. You are my daughter. I don't have to listen to you."

"Maybe not, but you will need to listen to the police. I think it's time for you to leave before we call the police," Bentley responds before I can.

"Fuck you, fuck all of you. You never listened to anything I said anyways." My dad says as he leaves.

"Hey dad!" I yell "how do you like my tattoo I got at 16," I say as I pull up my shirt to show the small lightning bolt and glasses on my rib cage. Bentley gives me the death stare for bringing this up.

"My god, you defaced your body as well. Do you have no self-respect," my father says as he walks out the door.

I try to leap forward to go after my dad but I'm held back by Bentley's arms around me. "You had enough action for one night," he says.

"Are you guys okay?" I ask Richie and Bentley. "You are asking us if we are okay after you were just in a screaming match and physical fight with your father? We are the ones who should be asking you that," Bentley questions.

"He said some very awful things to both of you," I shrug.

"He said a lot worse things about you than he did about us," my brother points out. "I think I should go as well. Call me if you need anything," he pulls me into a hug, "I love you."

"Bye, love you too," I respond. I turn around to look at Bentley. "How mad are you at me?" I ask him. "I'm mad that you would put yourself in a situation where your father would slap you. But I'm not mad at you for anything you did or said. I forget sometimes how rebellious you are sometimes," he laughs. "Are you okay though? That was one hard hit."

I laugh, "I'm fine, he barely touched me." Bentley brings his hand up to my cheek. I wince. "There's a hand mark on your face." Bentley says with concerned eyes.

"I'm fine. I have you." I say as I pull him into a hug.

Author's Note:

A little disclaimer, it is never okay to hit someone. I do not support nor do I want people to romanticize violence. This was the first time Lily's dad hit her, no one saw this coming (not even me until I wrote it).

This fight was also a long time coming for Lily and her father. Lily will not have anyone control her life. Especially when her dad comes for her relationship and career choice.

Hoped you enjoyed the emotional rollercoaster I took you on in this chapter. There were sad tears had, there were angry tears had.