TED
I arrive home at 4pm and I find dad yelling at El. No yelling isn't the word I would use.
"You're a shitty father Elliot. When was the last time you attended a parents evening?" My father bellows.
"Christian" I hear my mother whisper.
"Stay out of this Ana, I've watched for years as Ella grew in to a young woman but you don't have the time of day for her! Just like with Kate"
"Ella's just a spoilt brat" I hear Elliot sigh. "She can't face the fact that-"
My father's fist connects with his face before anyone can react. Uncle El stumbles backwards and falls into the coffee table. Ella's watching in horror. Uncle El lifts his fist and Ella runs to them. "Stop!" she screams. Uncle El sighs and stands.
My father cringes. "El's, I'm sorry"
She shake her head. "I'm done!" she yells. "Everything's always about you dad. Well you know what this. This is about me. I'm moving in with mom"
"Go ahead" El sighs. "I'm fed up with the constant arguments."
"What because you can make Ava's concerts but not mine?"
He blanches. "You know about that?"
"You thought I wouldn't notice? All I wanted was for you to attend 1 show. Just 1! Was that too difficult, were you that upset with me? I know you were ashamed when I stopped singing. I didn't realize it was this bad" she whispers tears in her eyes. "Even when mom gave up on you I didn't I stuck by you!" she screams. She runs from the room.
Elliot shakes his head. "Ella" he calls a poor attempt.
"You call yourself a father" he hisses. "Of all the things you've fucked up Elliot. This is by far the worst." My father shakes his head. "And you claim to be the best father of the family. I don't see any of my children running from me"
My mother shakes her head in disappointment.
"You know what? I don't want an Uncle who can't even notice that this is a cry for help." I sigh and hold up my hands "I'm out"
ELLA
2 Fucking years! I can finally understand why mom left. He. Is. An. Ass! God, when I found out mom turned to prostitution when dads business went boom, I was disgusted but actually I can see she didn't it for the best. Me and Ava were fed and had clothes to wear. Yet social didn't see it that way. I guess at 15 you don't really get much say that's why I'm stuck here with my so called father! He didn't even realize he was to busy with his bit on the side! Leaving mom to fend for us. He's the reason I've been working since I was 14 he's the reason I'm so closed off. I'm in my car - the one I paid for myself. It's a small ford fiesta but it gets me from A to B happily. The paints worn down on the bonnet where me and Ted used the wrong polish. I smile at the thought. I have no idea where I'm going. I'm just driving passing other cars and watching families smile and laugh, I remember when I was 7 or 8 how mom and dad used to be so carefree…
Sitting in the car singing loudly, so off key that we sounded almost good. The gentle purr of the cars engine, my mother's soft laughter. My mother's smile, my father's smile and chuckle dancing in the wind. Yet here I am alone and afraid of what the future holds. I never had a worry in the world when I was younger I had my future set out before me until mom and dad got divorced. He blew it, Ava told mom she was lying, hell I thought she was – No I always knew I just didn't want to accept it- I didn't want to accept that my father would be that heartless.
I can still remember the screaming, the tears as my mother broke down. I can hear it, it swallows me and consumes me. I pull over and rest my head on the steering wheel. Oh mommy what have I done?
I listen to the outside world. The cars purring and humming. The people; talking loudly and quietly; happily and sadly. The closing of a door; the gentle click as it locks. The opening of the door alerted by a gentle bell. I take a moment to take in the smells; the bakery; muffins and freshly baked bread and hot cross buns- the smell reminds me of Easter at home eating chocolate bunny rabbits and so many eggs that we felt sick. I sigh softly and lift my head the people are busy on their way home to their families and friends. Going out with the girls or the guys. Everything's so normal; yet I feel that everyone is hiding.
My phone buzzes, I look down at it and I almost cry, tears pool in my eyes. It's my uncle after all this time he's the only one who cares. He found out- what mom was doing and he helped us. Well that was before the divorcé now he's acting like a father should. I answer it.
"Hi Uncle Chris"
"Ella, where are you? Are you ok?"
I smile softly, he's always there for me. "I'm ok. I'm just of the I5 by the park"
I hear him sigh. "Els your dads really worried"
Funny it takes me leaving for him to become worried. "Oh" I mutter.
"Ella?" My dad's voice is on the line. "I'm so sor-"
"It's too late for sorry Elliot"
I hear him flinch. "It's never-"
"You have to mean it, you can't just say it. Look I have a show to go to. If you really care you'll be there"
"Ella I…" he trails off.
"It's me or work dad. I hope for your sake you make the right choice."