She said it as if it were the most natural thing in the world.
But it was deeply selfish.
Celia didn’t notice how close Chester was to losing his temper. She just kept playing on her phone, occasionally letting out a burst of laughter.
Chester’s face grew darker by the second.
Right before he exploded, Joanna reached over and grabbed his hand, anxious. “Chester, Celia’s just upset because her mom favors her sister. Don’t blame her for it. If I were her age and my mom had been away for so long, I’d feel terrible too. It’s normal for kids to have feelings–they’re supposed to. It’s when they bottle everything up that it becomes a problem. She’s still young. We can help her grow.”
Joanna’s gentle honesty slowly doused the anger in him.
Celia finally sensed something was wrong in the car. She hurriedly put her phone away and scooted over to make room for Chester.
Taking Joanna’s lead, she spoke carefully. “Dad, I’m just in a bad mood. Miss Joanna said playing games helps take my mind off things. And in the back seat, I was worried I’d bump into you if I wasn’t careful. Are you mad at me?”
“No.” Chester forced his anger down and spoke in a calmer tone. “But from now on, no matter what your mom says, don’t talk back. She’s upset right now, and you shouldn’t push her.”
He was certain now that whatever Celia did had completely disappointed Celestine. Trying to force Celestine to accept and forgive their daughter would only
backfire–just like today.
Better to let time work things out. One day, Celestine’s anger would fade.
Right now, it was Celia who needed to rein in her temper and stop making things
worse.
Hearing her father’s warning, Celia felt a fresh wave of resentment.
Why was it always on her to give in to her mom?
She was just a kid! She was their daughter!
Even if she’d made mistakes, it was her mom who crossed the line first.
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And besides, her mom wasn’t dead–she’d fooled everyone and left Celia terrified for weeks. How could Dad not see how cruel that was?
Celia felt the whole world was unfair. Her face clouded with hurt, and she stayed silent.
Chester’s voice turned cold. “Celia, did you hear me?”
Joanna patted Celia’s shoulder. “Come on, honey. Tell your dad you understand so he won’t worry.”
Celia pressed her lips together, obviously reluctant. “I get it, Dad.”
“Mean it,” Chester said, his eyes skeptical.
Celia’s throat tightened. She answered in a shaky, tearful voice, “I will, Dad!”
Why was Dad turning out to be just as bad as Mom?
He used to argue with Mom all the time, making her cry–so why was he taking her
side now?
They were both the same–both unfair!
Celia held back tears, refusing to let herself cry out loud.
But deep down, she made a silent promise.
She would make them regret it.
When the car started up again, Joanna’s expression darkened.
Had Chester really been worn down by Celestine’s games?
Pathetic.
Joanna sent a message to a blank profile picture.
Those two idiots the film crew sent to find a rental had already failed. This time, she hoped her new contact wouldn’t let her down.
After Celestine brought Cynthia home, she cleaned the scrapes on her daughter’s
knees.
“Does it hurt?” she asked softly.
The little girl’s legs were pale and plump, with more bruises than Celestine had noticed at school.
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“It doesn’t hurt at all!” Cynthia said cheerfully. “To use your grown–up words, I’ll be
all better in no time.”
