Chapter 6

22-year-old me

Dear, 22-year-old me well, here I am! About to embark on a new profound future for many generations to come. Nervous, anxious, eager. Are all the emotions to describe me at this very moment I know tons of people are going to hate me for when I say this. There are times I hope my sister disappears and never comes back or worse passes away from a freak accident. It’s a feeling that I just can’t seem to shake. Why is that... why do I have to be perfect in everything I do? Why did my parents not see me as their loving daughter? I tried my hardest to please them, to make them happy, to be sure they were proud of me. But no… Nothing I did was effective. Instead, I was seen as the no-good-child an absolute disgrace. It was no use when I needed their support, attention, love, and appreciation. I never got that! My sister had it all and I got nothing in return. She was the social butterfly of the family my mom and dad let her do things that could cause her to risk getting killed or hurt, I remember on nights before, I was either 10 or ll years old at the time. Studying in my cozy mind space aka the bedroom usually I would go up to the attic to get some peace. Not this time it was around 9pm my sister had gone to a friend’s party because that’s Dahlia for you. I heard shouting from downstairs assuming it was my mother and Dahlia arguing for a reason. Although I had no intentions of investigating the matter, I gave in and walked out of my room eavesdropping.

Flashback to when Dahlia came home late from a friend’s party.

Where is this young lady? It’s already 10pm. Must be out of her mind if she thinks I am letting her stay out this late.”

Said their mother whose name is Kendra.

“Honey, just relax I am sure she will be here soon.”

Replied the dad whose name is Ash.

“Hah! Easy for you to say, but you do have a point. I wish Brooke was more like Dahlia, that girl never likes to socialize with anyone not even us. I do like how she is so dedicated to making me proud. News Flash, that will never happen. She’s not my daughter just a waste of space.”

Said her mother, without any remorse.

“Waste of space.” I could not believe what I just heard. How can a mother say that to her daughter? Comparing me to my picture-perfect sister. So unfair. Tears streamed down my face trying my best to silently cry without a noise. This is not my first rodeo I have gotten used to brutal judgements about my work ethic of not being enough. Friends in my vocabulary means me someone who looks out for you, supports you, and goes through heck and back for you. Your parents are supposed to be like a best friend to you all the time, every day. Getting the flip side of the coin is not fun some of us tend to think the other side of the coin indicates bad luck for 7 years or more. That could not be further from the truth, I do have rough days, but guess what some days are harder than others it’s something we all face in life at some point. Maybe the next day you’ll land on heads for the coin, what I am trying to say is. You will not always have good luck in store for you. Which is perfectly normal. I am starting to see a new perspective in the coming days of my future. I may not have my parents to support me anymore then again, I don’t need their support. Where was the support from 20 years ago? It wasn’t there. All I need for right now is myself.

-Yours Truly, Brooke Finley.

The flashback of Dahlia and their mother Kendra continues right after Brooke finishes writing the deeply flawed letter.

“That party was the best thing I have ever been to! Thank you for the ride bestie. I will see you tomorrow at school. Have a good night!”

Responded Dahlia, telling her best friend Shelby goodbye. Little did she know trouble started brewing like a pot of boiling water ready to evaporate into words. Full of energy you know the type of energy parents use to give you their stance on some sort of problem. Instead of replying with a “Because I said so.” Type of deal. Spewing out a million words in one breath.

“Hey, mom! I’m home- “

Dahlia paused at the last word; the first instinct that came to mind was to either freeze or listen to what she had to say. Or run out of there. Contemplating which is the smartest choice she chooses to actively listen to her mother’s “lecture.”

“Young lady, where have you been? It is going on at 11pm. Your curfew is 10pm. You better have a good explanation for where you were.”

Added Kendra, her skin was bright red, eyebrows lifted, and eyes piercing back at Dahlia.

“Let me stop you right there Mother. Ever since you stopped caring about what I do, you then all of a sudden complain to me for being 1 hour late. I am freaking 16 years old, practically a partygoer teenager.”

Grumbled Dahlia, rolling her eyes back and forth to her mom.

“You have a point. However, mark my words just because you think you’re so grown up. Does not mean you get to act like an adult. So, take it with a grain of salt and go straight to bed.”

Insisted Kendra.

“Mom you are so delusional. It’s honestly brave.”

Snapped Dahlia.

Both faces poured with anger Brooke had enough of her sister being treated like a queen and zero punishments. (End of flashback).