As I quietly tried to sneak in the back door. It was always better if I could make it in and up to my bedroom before anyone was able to notice that I had made it home.
However, I did not make it very far into the house before I heard my father yelling at me.
"LEA..." my dad yelled out in a deep growly voice.
By the tone and slight growl to his voice, I know this can't be anything good. It sounded like he was not in the best of moods. I did not want to face him when he is in a mood, he can be very scary in these types of moods.
I don't move, I do not make a sound. I do not think that I even took a breath, in fear that he may hear me. I was thinking if I do not make a sound or move an inch, he will think that I am not really here. After a few seconds, I think I may be safe, to only hear him yell louder this time.
"LEA…. DAMN IT...I KNOW YOU ARE THERE! Get your fat ass in the living room right now, or I will make you regret wasting my precious time." I had no choice; my choices were taken from me, the second that dad heard the back door open.
So, I walked towards the living room, dreading what awaits me. Once I am in the living room, I see dad sitting in his normal chair with what looks like a glass of whiskey in hand.
Surprise, Surprise.
My dad loved his whiskey.
What did surprise me was Bethany standing there beside him.
She was standing there with a smug look on her face, holding a scrap of red fabric only she would call a dress. I looked at both of them and tried to decipher what it is that I have been summoned for. Am I supposed to help Bethany get ready for something, it wouldn't have been the first time.
But that really wouldn't explain the look both of them were giving me.
His was of pure evil and disdain, while Bethany had a look of pure joy on her face.
As I stood there, dumbfounded, dad cleared his throat to speak. The whiskey must be really strong this evening. "We have an important guest joining us for dinner tonight."
"Yes sir, would you like for me to make something special for dinner tonight then. Please just let me know, and I will get started on it right away." I whispered back meekly.
Bethany sneered at me, then laughed aloud, "She really is dumber than a box of rocks, isn't she father. You would think that all the time that she is away at school she would have learned a lot more than she is showing right now."
I composed myself quickly, after all it is not the first time she has insulted me. However, it is the first time she has spoken so openly in front of dad. I guess the lack of a mother would be the reasoning for that. I glance around the room to see if I can catch a glance of mom anywhere, but I do not immediately see her.
"What are you looking for, idiot? There is no one else here. There isn't anyone that can save poor little Lea." She said my name with venom, like it hurt her just to say it out loud.
"That's enough Bethany. Must you always have something to say?" Father sighed.
"But daddy." Bethany pouted, with her bottom lip kicked out and puppy dog eyes and everything. I guess she thinks that her look will get her anything she wants. And I guess that she is right because it normally does.
"I said enough '' Dad stated again.
Well, that was new. I think that this is the first time that I have ever heard my dad reprimand Bethany for anything, much less because of something she was saying to me.
He would normally let Bethany torment me longer, but I know better than to get my hopes up. No, there was something else more important than a sisterly feud. I could tell by the gleam in my father's eyes. And it wasn't going to be good for me.
"Where is mom and the twins?" I squeaked out barely over a whisper.
"Oh, they are out, having a much-needed girls' night out. Once I am done here, I will be joining soon. We are going to have dinner, get our nails and toes done and then watch a late-night movie marathon." Bethany decided to rub in my face.
I did not miss the hinting that I will be home alone with dad and his mystery guest that is so important.
"That's enough," Dad growled. I saw that he was starting to lose his patients, I did not want to be on the receiving end, once it was gone.
"Bethany will be getting you ready for our guest and you have only one hour, so make it quick. And Bethany makes sure she is as presentable as possible. Do whatever you need to do, to make that happen. And I do mean anything" Dad grumbled before walking out of the living room.
Well, that was weird.
Why would I need to be present for this meeting at all? None of this was making any sense to me. I have never been requested or wanted to be present during any of his meetings before
He didn't say anything else, didn't even look at me again. Just stood up like I was no longer worth his time and walked out of the room.
Again, weird. I wonder how many times I will be saying that today.
'Happy Birthday to me', I thought to myself.
A part of me wondered if anyone even remembered that it was my birthday today. Well besides my friends at school. Because no one at my house has even acknowledged it was. Not even my mother, and she was the one that gave birth to me.
This is turning out to be a wonderful day!