Page 81 of Face Me Off

I bite the inside of my mouth and count to ten before speaking. “I don’t want to be a dentist. Or a pharmacist or a nurse. I want to be an artist. It’s not just a hobby for me. It’s my passion. My calling.”

The words tumble out, my voice steady despite the tension coiling in my gut. I’ve rehearsed this speech a thousand times, but facing their skeptical expressions is harder than I imagined.

“Sweetheart,” Mom begins, her tone placating. “We just want what’s best for you. A career in the arts … it’s so uncertain. You’re so bright; you could excel in any medical field.”

Dad nods, leaning forward in his armchair. “Think about your future, Maddy. A stable income, good benefits. You don’t want to struggle like so many artists do.”

Frustration simmers beneath my skin. Their well-meaning concern grates against my resolve. “I know it won’t be easy, but I will work hard for this. The contest—it’s a sign that I have what it takes.”

“Speaking of signs,” Dad says abruptly, his voice taking on a hard edge. “What’s this I hear about you still hanging with that Sorenson kid?”

My stomach drops, and the sudden change in topic throws me off balance. “What? How did you?—”

“I have my sources.” Dad’s jaw tightens, his gaze boring into me. “Is this why he keeps spending so much time with you? To pump information about the lawsuit?”

“It’s not like that,” I protest, my voice rising. “And his name is Ryan. The lawsuit—it’s about the accident. The one you caused.”

The words hang in the air, heavy with accusation. Mom’s hand flies to her mouth, her eyes wide with shock.

“How dare you?” Dad growls, his face reddening. “We did what we had to do to protect our family. To protect you.”

“By lying? By letting an innocent man suffer the consequences?” I’m on my feet now, anger and hurt propelling me forward. “I heard you tell the supervisor to remove any request involving that ladder. You knew that ladder was unsafe, yet you threatened Mr. Sorenson’s job if he didn’t use it to clean the gutters.”

“Maddy, please,” Mom whispers, reaching for my hand. I jerk away, my eyes stinging with unshed tears.

“All these years, you let Mr. Sorenson think it was his fault. You let Ryan think his dad was to blame. How could you?”

Dad stands, his imposing frame looming over me. “We did what was necessary. And I won’t have you jeopardizing our family for some boy.”

“Ryan isn’t just ‘some boy’,” I snap, my voice trembling. “And this isn’t about him. It’s about what’s right. What’s true.”

“Did you honestly believe fifty thousand would be enough? Do you have any clue what medical bills they’ve accrued?”

“That’s none of your business.”

“It is when I’m in love with the son!”

The words hang in the air, and the room is silent for a moment. Dad’s eyes widen, and Mom gasps softly. I’m trembling, my heart pounding so hard it feels like it might burst out of my chest. I can see the shock on their faces, but I don’t regret saying it.

“You’re what?” Dad says after a moment, his voice dangerously quiet.

“I’m in love with him,” I repeat defiantly, lifting my chin. “And maybe if you’d been honest about what happened with his dad from the start, things wouldn’t be so messy now.”

“You will stay away from that boy,” Dad says, pointing a finger at me. “You have no idea what you’re getting yourself into.”

“Maybe if you were more concerned about what you were getting us into when you lied about Mr. Sorenson’s accident, we wouldn’t be in this mess!”

I’m seething now, all the pent-up anger and hurt pouring out of me. My parents look taken aback by my outburst; they’re not used to this version of me, the one who stands up for herself and calls them out on their bullshit.

“Madison Grace Grimes,” Mom says sharply. She only uses my full name when she’s really angry or really scared—it’s hard to tell which one right now. “You will not speak to your father like that!”

“I will if he continues to lie and manipulate people to get what he wants!” My voice echoes around the room, ringing in my ears.

“I’m sure you’ve heard my deposition. It was damaging enough, even with the censored questions you somehow rigged. You make things right with the Sorensons, or else I’ll spill everything I know. You know they have a good case no matter how much evidence you’ve buried.”

I turn on my heel, striding towards the door. I can’t be here, can’t breathe in this house of secrets and lies.

“Madison Grace Grimes, don’t you walk away from us!” Dad’s voice booms behind me, but I don’t look back.

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