"No." John said.
"Oh dad, come on." Bay pleaded.
"I said no, that's final." John replied. The Kennish family was at the dinner table. John wasn't as excited about the idea of the swap as the girls were.
"I don't think it's a bad idea." Toby stated.
"Thank you."
"Yeah, what wouldn't I do to get rid of Bay for a few weeks?" Toby laughed looking at her. She pushed his arm on the table playfully.
"Stay out of this. It's between Bay and me."
"John, maybe we could let the girls try-" Kathryn started to say. He glared at her.
"This is one time I wish you'd stand behind me Kathryn!" He stood up and walked away. Kathryn looked at Bay with hurt in her eyes.
"I'm sorry sweetheart. Maybe it would be better if we didn't go through with it?" Bay smacked down her fork.
"Mom, there won't be a lot of problems. Daphne and I are going to Buckner Hall and Carlton whether you like it or not."
"Bay, I know it's something you wanted, but if your dad says no then it would be best for you to drop it for now." Kathryn said sternly. Bay stood up.
"I'm going to talk to Daphne and Regina." Bay paused. "Maybe the reason you don't understand how important this is to me because you aren't my mother."
"Bay." Toby said. Bay stormed out and Kathryn slumped in her chair like she'd been punched in the gut.
[
Bay stormed up to Regina's door and knocked on it. Regina opened the door.
"Bay."
She walked in and closed the door behind her.
"I'm sorry for barging in, especially while you're eating." Bay said.
"Oh don't worry Bay. You seem upset." Regina replied. Adrianna walked over. She hugged Bay and then held her arm's length.
"Come sit down. What's wrong?" Adrianna asked. Bay sat at the counter and sighed.
"My dad won't let me and Daphne switch even though mom and Regina are okay with it."
"Oh Bay, I'm sorry." Regina responded softly.
"That's not all." Bay took a breath. "I told my mom that she didn't understand the importance of this switch, or even me for that matter, because she's not my mother." A weird expression came over Regina's face.
"Ooh, harsh, Bay?" Regina asked. Daphne walked in.
"Hey, what's going on?" Bay turned to face her.
"My dad doesn't want us to switch."
Daphne shrugged.
"Okay, then we won't." Bay looked at her. "What?"
"I also told my mom that she didn't understand me or our need for the switch because she wasn't my mom."
"Bay!" Daphne exclaimed.
"Why don't you go downstairs and see if you can find Kathryn." Regina said to Daphne. She nodded.
"Bye Bay, mom. See ya grandma." Daphne walked out.
"I think I will go work on my laundry." Adrianna said and walked out of the living room. Regina sat next to Bay.
"Bay, I don't want to necessarily talk about what your dad said because John is his own person and I can't change that. What I want to talk about is what you said to Kathryn." Bay sighed.
"I know what you are going to say." Bay stated. Regina crossed her arms.
"Well then, you'll hear it twice. I know how your mom feels. She's recently learned that she is raising somebody else's daughter and she's meeting and learning more about her own child. I know that we don't know each other very well Bay, but as a parent, it hurts me to hear you say that. If Daphne said that to me it would cut like a knife." Regina sighed. "Kathryn is a sensitive person and I know this had to hurt her. I know your mom is really hurting."
"You're right. I didn't mean to hurt her. I said it all out of spite and that wasn't something I should have done." Regina hugged her.
"Go talk to her."
Bay looked up at her. Regina nodded.
"I will." Bay stood up. "Thank you Regina. For everything."
"You're welcome Bay."
[
Kathryn was in the kitchen. John was at the counter reading the newspaper.
"I can't believe she would say that to me. I've raised her for the last sixteen years. I am her mother. At least I feel like it-" Kathryn said. Daphne walked in through the screen door. John put down the paper and Kathryn stopped talking.
"Hi Daphne." John said.
"Can I speak to Kathryn alone?" Daphne asked.
"Sure. Come here Daphne." Kathryn and Daphne walked out of the kitchen and into the living room. Daphne took a deep breath before speaking.
"Kathryn, Bay told me what happened."
"Oh, she did?" Kathryn started to look uncomfortable.
"Yeah, I just wanted to talk to you. She didn't mean it Kathryn. Bay loves you. It's just that she's confused, and upset and she took it out on you. Even though she didn't have a right to and she shouldn't have."
Bay walked in.
"She's right. Mom, I'm sorry. I never should have said what I did. I really didn't mean it. It was hurtful. I truly am sorry." There are tears in Bay's eyes. Kathryn opened her arms and hugged Bay.
"It's alright." Kathryn whispered putting her hand on the back of Bay's head. Finally they let each other go. Bay wiped her eyes and laughed.
"I'm a Kennish. I'm not supposed to cry."
"Bay," Kathryn looked into her daughter's eyes, "our lives were never the greatest before and now on top of that with the switch and my book there has been a lot of stress on all of us. You hold in everything. It's not so bad to let it out sometimes."
