Senior Year

Down a dark suburban road, surrounded by lush, blooming magnolia trees, a generic two-story middle class house stands. Inside, in the kitchen’s breakfast nook, one seat is left open at the breakfast table. Mom, Dad and Travis are seated eating in silence, the bland bagels Mom has toasted for the occasion - Monday. Danique freshly showered and dressed in her school day best, slowly enters. She sits at the open spot.

Dad in the most sarcastic tone he can muster this early - later, he will be able to do much more - addresses his beautiful daughter:
“Good morning sunshine! So glad you could join us on this fine Monday. All ready for the shrink?”

Danique still not full awake but trying her best:
“Good morning daddy. No I am not – he doesn’t help me – he’s a drunk.”

Mom’s angry switch is instantly flipped. She’s been waiting all morning for this.
“I have told you not to think like that. Every week it’s the same thing – ‘He’s a drunk. He doesn’t like me. He’s a creep.’ Blah, blah, blah. Of course he can’t help you with that mindset. Dr. ------- is the finest psychiatrist in the area.”

Danique knew this was coming; it was almost a Monday tradition – Mom mashing her buttons. Danique was only too happy to oblige.
“According to who? The guy reeks of alcohol all-the-time and you know it. Half the time he won’t see me because he is sooo hung over. And he doesn’t like me.”

Danique looks to her dad for solace. Lately he seems to be her only refuge from Mom. Usually he readily takes up her cause. Today is no different.

“And we're paying for this?” he offers without looking at Mom.

“Dad, you know this is her way of getting out of going. No such luck.”

Mom, with a fierce look for Danique, grabs her by the arm and pulls her towards the Front Door. Mom, with her free arm, grabs a bookbag and flings it at Danique without stopping or losing her grip on her. Dad rolls his eyes.
“Do we have to go through this every, single Monday?”

Mom could, or maybe would, not hear him due to the fury she felt for her first child.
“I will not let you willingly destroy yourself! It will not happen!”

Mom takes a quick and final look behind her.
“Travis lets go now!”

Travis jumps up from the table without a word, grabs his bookbag and squeezes past Mom and Danique, bolting out the front door.

Read part 2 of the preview here

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