Hell on the Heart
She said you're a ramblin' man
You ain't ever gonna change
You got a gypsy soul to blame
And you were born for leavin'
- Zac Brown Band
Part IX
The family dinner had been sufficiently awkward for everyone. It was quiet and no one had anything to say under the dominating stare of their father. And Cammie couldn't help but glancing the place next to her father, feeling a terrible ache in her heart. It had been her mother's seat and Cammie could see her there, laughing, bringing life to the memory.
She smiled, sadly, now remembering her artistic mother who had been the glittery glue that held the family together.
"So," her father cleared his throat. "Ashton, how was Europe?"
Ashton looked uncomfortable, glancing up at their father before his eyes flickered back to the plate.
"Good," he mumbled lamely, after swallowing a mouthful of food.
"And Calvin—"
"Jail was great dad," Calvin interrupted sarcastically, "really an eye opening experience."
Her father's eyes narrowed. "I would hope so, and I would hope that you are not planning going down the same road."
Calvin looked as though he wanted to snap something smart but he gritted his teeth and nodded his head.
Her father gave a nod of satisfaction before turning his gaze on Cammie. "And boarding school?" he asked. "How is that going?"
She forced a smile. "Good—Great, I love it."
"No friends to bring home?"
She didn't meet his gaze. "I was under the assumption this was a family gathering," she said, shooting a sharp look at her eldest brother.
"Well it was. But Ashton insisted," her father continued. "His friend has nowhere else to go."
That made Cammie all the more curious about Zach, even though she wasn't even sure if that was the friend Ashton had invited. "Nowhere?" she echoed, sending the question in Ashton's direction.
"His parent's past away a few years ago he been jumping from staying home."
"How old is he?" Calvin asked.
"Nineteen," Ashton replied.
Cammie gulped again.
"What's his name Jack . . .?" her father asked.
"Zach," Ashton corrected. Cammie's muscles locked up. Zach was coming to stay with them. She knew that could only mean trouble. And that meant he had to have known before they had gotten into as fight. "Zach Goode."
She resisted the urge to slam her fist on the table. Instead digging her nail into the skin of her palms.
"Cam?" Calvin asked, seeing the tension on her face. "You okay?"
Her eyes flickered back and forth between her brothers.
"Why didn't you tell us you went off into the war?" she asked, the question falling from her lips with no filter. Calvin looked confused while the look on her father and Ashton's faces were priceless— a complete mask of shock.
"What?" Calvin asked, the first to break the silence.
"How did you know about that?" her father asked, ignoring Calvin.
"Not the point," she said, and wished she hadn't said anything.
"I . . ." Ashton started and his eyes fell to his empty dinner plate. "How did you find out . . ." he muttered.
"I got a letter in the mail."
"You went through our mail?" Her dad asked, incredulous.
"Is that so wrong?" she snapped. "I was curious about the US Army letter, what was I supposed to do?"
"Mind your own damn business," her father snapped. She looked surprise, but then a scowl came over her face.
"Why is it such a big deal that you went to such lengths to hide it from us?" she asked and glanced at Calvin. "It's not like we would have minded."
"Because—"
"Because you didn't want Ashton to end up like you?" Cammie asked, using what Zach had said against her father. "Because you thought he was too prideful."
Her father sucked in a breath, his face beyond angered.
"You have no right—"
"He's my brother! I was supposed to believe that he just left us, when we needed to be a family most, instead of knowing you sent him away!"
"Yes."
"Why?" she said, wanted an answer. "This is all your fault," she said in a low voice. "It is your fault why our family is so broken. It is your fault my mother is dead. I hate you."
She said and looked around, only to find both brothers had cleared out, and there was no sign of them anywhere.
"Cameron."
She stood back from the table, preparing to stalk out.
"CAMERON! SIT DOWN!" he roared.
"No," she snappily replied. "I'm going on a walk."
"It's below freezing —"
She snatched her coat of the rack in the foyer.
"I'm going on walk!" she called again, slamming the door behind her.
AN: Oh jeez guys sorry I'm so late on this. But truth is I have other things to do over break. I'm in high school and I have social upstanding to keep :P Anyway here it is and hope y'all enjoyed and don't forget to review!