Visitation (This was written from October 20th to October 21st, 2022)
Through the window, a burning orange struck Porsha's eyes. Never in a million years would she imagine her father wearing something lowly or repellent, not because of his cruel nature but because he always had the world in his hands. He was stupid-rich, a straight-to-the-point business animal who dusted off hindrances with his addictive TV charm. It enabled a cycle of abuse between him and Porsha, and it wasn't until she was welcomed by Buster Moon and his team that she began to realize it. Whenever Porsha complained about anything, her father would throw a gift her way, using his vast wealth as a means to shut her up. Porsha, of course, loved everything she received but only for the first day or two. Afterward, every prototype supercar became every other prototype supercar, and every mansion with an indoor pool became every other mansion with an indoor pool. Porsha was always the buzzing gnat Jimmy had to fan away as he micromanaged his businesses.
Not anymore, she told herself. She planted her butt in the revolving chair and held the telephone.
"Hey, sugarplum," he greeted. It startled Porsha a bit. Many months had passed since the last time she heard his voice. "Umm... Happy birthday."
"Thanks, Daddy," she replied quietly. Today marked her eighteenth. It was meant to be a happy day, but she was unable to construct a smile. The reality of her father being on the wrong side of the glass hit her more than ever. Next came an awkward silence. Securing the phone between her head and shoulder, she tapped her fingers against the extended windowsill. It became a daunting task to even look her father in the eyes.
"So umm... whatchu been to?" he asked.
"Hmm... I was at Central," she answered, fiddling with the telephone cord.
"Central! Oh, well, that's your favorite mall, isn't it?"
"It was, Daddy, before every reporter in Redshore was there questioning me about everything that happened."
Her father placed his free hand on the glass. "I'm sorry... about everything. I will make it right, sweetheart. I'll have my lawyer make a few calls. Moon will be taken care of."
"No, Daddy! Just listen... You're wrong about him. His tour was the best thing I ever experienced!"
"Tour?!" he exclaimed.
"Well, yeah, we toured across the state."
"You stayed as part of his lineup?! YOU TOURED ACROSS THE STATE?!" he fumed. An eye began to twitch.
"Daddy, what's your problem?!"
"Ugh, why did I raise an idiot? I was right! You are a traitor! Tell me, are you not a Crystal?!"
"Well, of course, I—"
"THEN ACT LIKE ONE! Crystals help each other out! Don't you get it, Porsha?! I'm not supposed to be here! I... I can't survive jail! Please! You gotta help me!" he yelled desperately, clutching his chest.
Porsha stood up, her ears flattened. She wasn't sure what to do. "I can't just let you out of jail."
"Why not?! I let your uncle out for tax fraud!"
"'Cause you'll hurt my friends!" she replied.
"Why on Earth would I hurt Bethany and Ingrid?!"
"No, not my shopping buddies. I mean Johnny, Gunter, Meena, Rosita, Ash—"
"Who?" He tilted his head sideways.
"You know, Mr. Moon and his crew."
The white wolf slapped his own face. He gave a long sigh before speaking again. "I guess you're not a Crystal..."
"Of course, I am! It's in my name. Duh!"
"NO! I mean you are not me!"
"Well, if being a Crystal means being you, then maybe I don't want to be a Crystal."
"Too late! You aren't already! Ugh, you're just like your mother! Maybe you should go live with her!"
"Maybe I will!" she retorted.
"Oh, yeah, good luck livin' in a house with no butlers and reliable warm water!"
"Wait. What did you say?"
"I said, go be useless somewhere else, you ungrateful brat!" Her father slammed down the handset. He then stormed out of the room, leaving Porsha to herself. She began to cry, eyeliner melting in her tears as she covered her eyes.
Porsha knew one day she would be on her own, but she never expected it to happen like this. It wasn't just empty mansions here and there, she had the entire Crystal fortune effectively to herself. Even Suki Lane, who now managed Crystal Entertainment, ultimately had to take orders from Porsha. She was ill-prepared for her father's role and unfamiliar with the thing known as responsibility. In addition, the media's ever-watchful eye scrutinized her every move. Countless headlines and broadcast personalities expanded on her ineptitude. Normally, she loved attention, but now she couldn't buy another fashionable windbreaker without a mic shoved in her face. It was too much. Porsha needed a break. She needed to disappear but where to? Her mother's house? She hadn't seen her mother in years, but it was better than the alternatives. She needed a place away from the flashes, away from the mobs, and away from the creepy silence that infected all the castles bearing the Crystal name. She had no idea what to expect out there, but for once in her useless life, she would take a risk.
THE END?