Page 64 of Seeds of Malice

My body starts to tremble and I blink back tears. "What do you mean you can't eat dinner with me? I'm your daughter."

He sniffs hard and shakes his head, answering, "You're lying to me."

"I'm not!"

He points at me. "You're choosing that boy over your own flesh and blood."

"I'm not choosing anyone! And I shouldn't have to! You're misinformed and being unreasonable!"

Dad comes over, puts his hand on the table, and leans over. He kisses me on the forehead, then pins his dark gaze to mine.

The more he stares, the more uncomfortable I get. And the feeling that something bad is going to happen grows.

My father opens his mouth and shuts it.

I wait.

He grabs my chin and angles my face higher toward the ceiling so his eyes look directly into mine. He lowers his voice. "I don't know what's happening with you, Ivy. You've never defied me before."

"I'm not trying to hurt you. But I have the right to make new friends," I claim.

"I love you, Ivy, I do, but you..."

My insides quiver harder. I blink hard.

"You're making bad decisions. And I'm afraid they'll affect your life forever. I don't know how, but I see it, and I won't stand by and let it happen."

I seethe, "By throwing a rock through Dax's window?"

Pity fills my father's face. "You've always made good decisions, Ivy. This is not the time to start making bad ones."

"I am not making bad decisions. You're creating scenarios that aren't true," I declare.

Dad shakes his head and then studies me another moment. He asks, "Have you been drinking today?"

My pulse pounds so hard at my neck, I'm sure he can see it. "Of course not! You know I don't drink."

His scowl intensifies.

My insides feel like they're crumbling.

How does he know what I've done?

Did the others tell him? Like they told him I was with Dax?

He adds, "I really hope you don't become an alcoholic."

"What? I'm not going to become an alcoholic!"

"I hope not. Children who drink?—"

"I'm not a child, I'm eighteen!" I explode.

He takes a deep breath.

I add, "I've graduated high school. I'm going to college in two weeks."

He steps back and scratches his head. He replies, "Yeah, you are, but that doesn't mean you know everything, Ivy."

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