Page 29 of Forgive Me Father

"Eden," My dad chirps happily as if he didn't smack my ass raw last night. "Aren't you going to say goodbye?"

Poking my head into the dining room area, all three members of my family look at me. The only one smiling out of the group is my father. He looks considerably less disheveled than he did last night, his neat appearance and tailored suit fitting for someone who runs a law firm.

"Goodbye?"

"You’re aware that your service hours begin today with Father Briar, correct?" He eyes me as he takes a drink from his mug.

"David, she has a long shift, maybe-"

He cuts my mother off before she can finish. "You’re to be at the church directly after work, Eden. Am I clear?"

"Of course," I smile, glancing at Aiden. "On one condition," I push, my father's eyeswidening.

"Let Aiden come with me to work. There's free Wi-Fi, and he can get some of his college entry work done," I smile. "We can go over scripture on my lunch." His expression softens with a smirk of satisfaction. I can let him think he’s won if it means getting Aiden out of here.

"Aiden-"

"I'll grab my bag," Aiden says, almost jumping up from the table. Nodding in approval, my dad watches us as we leave, wagging his finger in the air.

"Eden?"

My body stiffens as I clutch the doorknob. "Yes?"

"See to it that you’re on time for Father Briar today,” He snaps, a warning hidden in his words.

Without a word, I turn the doorknob and leave, looking forward to spending half my day lost in espresso pulls and overpriced macchiatos.

Aiden’s head stays pressed against the glass as he blankly stares out the passenger-side window of my car. The gnawing sound of whatever alternative band he was playing blared loudly through the speakers, reminding me of something my college roommate would've liked. We’d been quiet up to this point, the silence between us somewhat comforting.

"You didn't have to offer to take me with you today.”

Lookinghis way, I shrug.

“It’s whatever. I’ll be busy most of my shift. Probably won’t even notice you’re there,” I tease, forcing myself to pretend everything can be normal.

I have to believe it will be.

"Are we going to do that? Are we going to pretend like nothing happened last night? Just like we pretend everything is okay each time he hits Mom a little too hard? Or what about how we pretended that he didn’t slap me so hard one time that I had to miss picture day? I heard your screams last night, Eden-"

"And will talking about it change anything?" I grip the wheel tighter. "My ass is so sore I can barely walk, and you want me to dwell on it right before work? Ignoring this messed-up family is a hell of a lot easier than facing the fact that I have nowhere else to go. College is your way out, Aiden. I fucked up, but you still have a chance to get out. So instead of wasting your summer getting high with your washed-up friends, do what I should have done—find a way to stay the hell away.”

He’s silent for a moment, staring at his feet before looking over to me and clearing his throat.

"Why did you come back if you knew how bad it was here?" I can hear the genuine concern in his voice. He’s not asking to hold it against me, but because he wants to help, which is a much harder reality to face. It’d be easier if he was truly a dick.

I want to tell him to ask Eric.

This family loved his evangelical, God-fearing ass so much. I’m surprised no one has reached out to him after we split.

"There was something worse at college than this family," I whisper.

I slowly regain consciousness in the hospital bed. The room is dimly lit, with the soft hum of medical equipment in the background. I blink, disoriented, trying to make sense of my surroundings. My vagina throbbed with horrendous pain, feeling as if it had been ripped apart and sewn back together again.

A woman in a white coat looms over me, smiling gently before taking a seat at the edge of the bed. Her expression is soft, her eyes filled with compassion.

“Where... Where am I?”

"You may still feel groggy from the pain medication," She says, placing her hand on my forearm. "Do you have any idea how you got here, sweetheart? How’s your pain level?"