Page 39 of Precious Legacy
“Oh!” Mom claps her hands together excitedly. “That’s great, honey!”
“No. Not a doctor. But… umm…”
Dad exhales loudly, intrigue pasted across his dark features. His face looks relaxed, which only worries me more because it’s like the calm before the storm. One wrong gust of wind could turn the tranquility into a tempest. Resting his hand on mine again, he offers me a comforting look, as if I can tell him anything.
Except I can’t.
“Whatever it is, we’ll support you. As long as it’s not something ridiculous,” he says, winking at my brother.
Suddenly, it’s like my nerves have turned to static, one spark away from catastrophe. Anger replaces my anxiety and my fists clench in my lap.
“Like what?” I ask, trying and failing to maintain some semblance of composure.
“The army,” Varo snorts. “The feds.”
I snap my gaze to him, brows furrowing. “Why would that be ridiculous?”
“Why wouldn’t it be?”
“Varo!” Mom warns.
I look to my dad, though I don’t know why I think I’d find his approval on the matter. I already know the direction of this conversation, and it doesn’t end well for anyone. “Dad?”
He peers down at me sternly, his lips thinned like he’s holding onto his words. Odd, since Dad’s never really been oneto hold back when it comes to me and my life choices. But I’m trying this new thing where I don’t dwell on the past. It’s only been two days, and up until now, I was doing pretty well.
“Tell me!” I fire back. “Why would it be ridiculous if I did any of that? Is it because you don’t think I can do it?”
“Sweetheart, that’s not what your father is saying.” Mom slaps Dad’s arm, scowling at him. “Is it?!” Though I know she’s trying to calm the situation, this conversation has already hit a raw nerve.
With a huff, Dad takes Mom’s small hand in his, never once taking his eyes off me. “No, Alanis. You are capable of anything you set your mind to.”
“But?”
“Chill, sis! It’s not like you’re going to become a cop or something.” Varo’s laugh fills the tension. Whether he’s trying to aggravate the situation or not, he’s about two seconds from getting a black eye. Mom said we’re never to hurt one another, but I’m sure I can convince her to let this one slide.
Glaring at my brother, I ask, “Why not?”
“Because,” he shrugs.
“Because then you’d be the enemy,” Dad growls.
My body freezes, suspended in shock and disbelief. I look into my dad’s dark eyes, where coldness sits staring back at me. There’s no warmth lacing his words, just a warning that makes my blood run cold.
Silence envelopes us. The only sound is that of the boiling water on the stove and the extractor fan whirring maniacally. For what feels like minutes, I stare up at my father.
He knows.He has to. Why else would he put such a threat in those words? Maybe he’s just trying to control me and this is his way of keeping me in line. Maybe he just wants to remind me who our family is.Like I’d ever forget.
For a tense few minutes, the world is silent, and I’m staring at the spark that might be my destruction.
“Okay, that’s enough!” Mom interjects. “Lani, your father is in a weird mood and your brother is just… Vee go set the table!”
We all move as one. My brother grabs cutlery from the drawer, the metal clinking as he leaves the room. My dad busies himself, pouring another drink while my mom fusses over the chicken.
Grabbing my phone, I push up off the stool. I feel sick, hot and nauseated. It’s not just the heat of the kitchen, but my father’s glare as the metal of my chair scrapes across the floor.
“Lani?” Mom spins around, soft eyes gazing back at me. “Where are you going?”
“Anywhere but here.” My footsteps echo in the silence as I leave the kitchen, marching towards the front door.
