New Persona

While Mark took his time cooking food, I decided to take Lexi and explore more of the house. I discovered a small game room, a home theater and a huge gym in his basement. I had always wanted to learn how to defend myself so this room would definitely benefit me the most.

I then made my way out through the garage where he had many motorbikes and trucks stored. I had never seen that many vehicles in one place at one time. To make things better they all looked brand new. I then made my way upstairs and then out to the backyard. There was a large pool out there with even more grassland stretching on past it. I looked at the sunset in the distance, admiring how the color was changing in the sky. It was the most radiant thing I had ever seen. The sound of birds chirping in the distance, brought about a calming feeling to my heart. I then started to miss my dad….

I could have stood there into the night if it wasn't for the smell of the spaghetti coming from inside and my stomach's constant growling. With a soft sigh, I turned around and carried my little sister back into the house so we could eat. Just as I suspected, Mark was just setting the table when I walked in. He smiled at me at first and then his face went blank.

"What?" I asked.

He finished placing the dishes on the table and then looked up at me. "You're supposed to be doing this not me."

I narrowed my eyes at him, "Excuse me?"

"You heard me. Since I'm your guardian for the next year I'll be expecting a few things while you're here."

I chuckled. "You're joking right?"

"Look at my face Katrina….you tell me if I'm joking."

I wasn't too sure where this new attitude of his came from but I damn sure didn't like it. I placed Lexi in the high chair next to my seat and then folded my arms across my chest. "Ok…so what exactly are you expecting out of me while I'm here?"

He looked at me with this face I didn't recognize. It wasn't one of care or compassion it was…a fatherly look?

"Here's the deal Kat, while you're here I expect you to treat this house as your own. You will have a few chores to do every now and then, you have a curfew Monday through Friday which is to be in this house by 9, and if you want to go places or you want company over, make sure you ask me first. Understand?"

I looked at him completely baffled out of my mind. "Um…ok…"

"Is there a problem with any of that?" he asked.

I wanted to tell him hell yes but I kept my comments to myself. "No…"

"Good. One other thing, there will be nights that I have to go out of town for wrestling. If you need anything I'll leave my number so you can call me. Now…on those nights….no one and I mean no one is allowed in this house except you and Lexi. Is that clear?"

I didn't know why but I was getting rather furious with this new attitude of his. I wasn't really expecting this out of him at all.

"Sure whatever." I said as I sat down in my seat.

He glared at me for a moment, "Excuse me?"

"I said whatever…I heard you." I told him as I moved in close to the table.

He shook his head, "Sorry Kat, but around here, you'll address me with yes sir or Ok Mark. Got it?"

I looked at him sharply, "I'm sorry, what?"

"You heard me," he snapped.

"What in the hell has gotten into you?" I asked. "You're not acting like yourself."

He shook his head, "No, I'm not acting like the Mark you met anymore. This is a time for a more serious side of me. I'm sorry Kat, but I don't want to end of making another mistake that'll end up sending you into foster care."

I chuckled, "Wow so this is what this tough guy act is all about?"

"Oh it isn't an act…just try me." He said before walking back to the kitchen to get the food. I watched him with an angry glare on my face.

I couldn't believe he had just pulled a 180 twist on me. When he came back, he filled my plate up with spaghetti and then his own before taking a seat. He then passed me a smaller plate with mashed carrots, applesauce, and pudding for Lexi. I was very silent as I fed her and myself, wondering what in the world was going on with him. After dinner was over, he took Lexi into the living room and sent me to do the dishes.

"Are you serious?" I asked.

He chuckled, "We've already been through this Kat, now do as I say please."

I rolled my eyes and sighed deeply as I collected the plates and headed to the kitchen with them. I found myself becoming more angry the longer I stood over that sink scrubbing down the dishes. That's when I spotted a dish washer. I sighed with relief and began filling it up with the empty dishes. When it was all the way filled, I heard him walk into the kitchen with Lexi still in his arms. She was reaching for me as hard as she could but Mark wouldn't let her go. He kept staring at me with a look of disapproval.

"What now?" I asked.

He shook his head, "I told you to wash the dishes…not the machine."

My mouth fell open, "Mark…I just filled this thing up. I'm not about to take all of these dishes out and wash them by hand."

"Oh yes you are. Even if that means I got to take them out myself." He said as he patted Lexi's back. She laid her head on his shoulder and sucked on her thumb while closing her eyes. I couldn't believe how fast he did that. "Look if you don't wash them like I told you to, then tomorrow you'll have the entire house to clean."

I chuckled and pushed the dishwasher shut and hit the start button. I then turned to him with my arms folded and stared at him.

"Sorry bud, but I have to be enrolled at my new school tomorrow so…I don't think I'll have time to clean this house." I said.

"Oh you'll have time…and you won't be stopping until it's completely clean." He said.

I shook my head, "I can't believe you are really treating me like this."

"Like what hm? A child?" he asked, "Newsflash my dear, you are a child."

That was it, I had reached my boiling point…"You know what, I wasn't much of a child when you decided to sleep with me…goodnight."

I left him standing there with a look of complete shock. If he wanted to treat me like a child, then I was going to act like one and hit with low blows, eye rolling, and plenty of smart remarks. Mark Calaway would rue the day he decided to flip the script on me….because I can get down and dirty as well.