Claire could not understand what it was with her parents and fighting every chance she had at being happy. Jake was just her friend and here was her almighty father sitting opposite her on his seat and telling her to dissolve a friendship he himself was never willing to establish with her. There was no way in the entire world that she would conform to his demands. If he wanted all hell to break loose, then he should be her guest. Claire first of all readjusted on her seat bracing herself for all she had to say to him while he watched.
“No.” she said
“No?” he asked her raising an eyebrow
“Exactly father. You heard me. I’m not dissolving any friendship with anyone.” she said with finality and got up but not yet leaving
“Then I would have you sent back to your pathetic mother.” he howlers
“Disown me if you must but I would not dissolve my friends because of you.” she said.
This was getting more serious than had been intended as a staring contest preceded their outbursts. Mr Willows was obviously not prepared to back down as the usual fatherly ego we all are used to with our fathers was being boldly displayed.
He was only protecting Claire from those traitorous friends. He no longer considered them friends and was certain they did same yet his daughter was out there frolicking already with them in just the short while she had been there. Nothing seemed to be making sense and he was going to maneuver through it. He could tell she was being adamant and would not be easily scared off that which she had her mind made up on anything. She was just like him, true to his course and that actually was definitely one of those things that had destroyed what he had with her mother. He decided that he would be more diplomatic at this point and suddenly asked her if she had any idea who those persons were.
Claire thought about it barely before telling him to his face that it did not matter who they were but all she knows was the fact that they used to be really close to their family before things fell apart for everyone. There he had it, that lecherous snake obviously had been feeding his dear child with a bunch of lies. They used to be could, true enough but aside that fact, they must have said more to her which explains Claire’s defensive stance towards them. He would not push her at the moment, definitely not now but he would start off by asking them to keep off this family. They had done just enough.
“You know what Claire, go to your room.” he says to her.
She stared at him and found the other message he was sending her.
“What do you mean by go to my room. I’m no kid.” she said
“You are my kid. And unless there’s more to your friendship with that boy or you have decided to leave my house then you would go to your room because young woman, you are grounded.” he yelled at her.
Claire could not believe her ears. At this age who still grounds their kids. All along she had endured endless times of multiple groundings from her mother especially when her lover was present to humiliate her and now it had to be her father in front of his family. Could her life get any worse. She seriously was beginning to wish she had taken the offer when he had said he wanted her to stay in another house of his. Had she done the needful back then, she would not have this feeling of a puppy left out cold in the rain. She was famished and exhausted as she turned away from his study. She would just have to put up with all this for the time being while she starts thinking about a way out. Her life was full of wrecks, her mother hated her, her father detested her obviously, his new family made her miserable and of course her boss had sworn never to give her a moment of solace.
She walked to her room half dragging herself as her stomach begged for food. How could she be this hungry when she was grounded. She opened the door and closed it shut. Without taking off her clothes, Claire fell on the bed stretching out herself. Such a long day and all she prayed for was a little rest. Maybe she had made that prayer a little late as it dawned on her that something was off. First her room was oddly lonely and Miller had not climbed up to welcome her home. That was strange as she knew her pet well enough. Claire tried not to assume the worst had happened. The worst in this context being that her step mother had been so generous enough to have him sent away. Was that the reason she had tapped her earlier on the shoulders. Could that have been a way of telling her what had happened. Hastily she sprang up and went over to his side. She breathed out a little bit of relief as he weakly meowed and raised his head. This was all her fault and she needed help after all her haughtiness. Miller had become a part of her she did not want to yet detach from. He was the only creature on earth that had never been unkind to her unlike like the others that seemed to be competitive on who gets to make her cry each passing day. She was willing to do anything so long as he would be fine. She instantly carried him in her arms and made for the door.
Her stepmother was just coming up when she raced past her. She said something but Claire did not care. She just entered her father’s study and seeing her that way, the man was confused.
“What is it Claire?” he asked her
“Miller. Father it’s Miller and he’s dying.” she said as fresh tears filled her eyes
“Oh well then, if the creature is dying you should let him.” Lucille said coming inside beaming
“Lucille?” her father called
“What? It’s good thing it dies.” she said
“Miller is not going to die!!!” Claire yelled
“Oh is he now? Looks pretty much almost dead to me child.” She said and did another evil chuckle
“Go wait for me by the car Claire.” her father said.
Not wanting to hear another painful word from her stepmother, Claire excused herself without turning back. Her cat seemed to be fading away that she instantly was getting impatient waiting. Soon enough, her father came out on his tee-shirt. He had actually gone to change from his usual stay home clothes. His appearance was one thing he had to be conscious about regardless of how distressed he was. He opened the car and asked her to get in. Claire acted quickly and soon they were quietly on their way to the vet. No one said anything to each other as her father’s entire focus was on the road as he maneuvered around cars.
They got to the vet’s soon enough and they took Miller inside to be examined. Claire sat at the waiting room with her father. The old man was asking her to calm down as he was certain Miller would be fine. Claire said she could not stop worrying about him and it was no one’s fault. The rest of the waiting time, the both of them sat down there quietly without saying anything to each other. From time to time, she would get up and pace around. They stayed there for a really long time as Miller was being checked on when the doctor returned with him looking better. Accordingly, Miller had severe case of worms and was as well famished which had been what happened. He had fed him milk already but he would be needing more healthy cat food. For the worms, he handed them his drugs.
“Never knew you kept pets now Willows.” the man said
“Oh yeah, I had to. This one is Claire’s.” he said
“Welcome Claire. Heard a lot about you.” he said
“Thank you sir.” she said nervously
“Well, you look after the little guy and ensure to bring him for a little check from time to time.” he said.
They all thanked him and then he excused himself. Claire’s father made the necessary payments and they were back to the car. He drove for a while before she understood that he was not driving home. She chose not to answer until they got to the store.
“Wait here.” he said to her.
Like she was going anywhere. She simply sat down there looking Miller who was sleeping on her laps over. She was just as selfish as her mother. She should have thought about him before going out with Jake. Surprising for her, Mr Willows returned and with enough cat food for her pet which surprised Claire. He had even gotten her chocolate and she was excited.
“I’m sorry about earlier Claire. I shouldn’t have acted like I did.” he said to her.