Page 18 of The Good Char
Grabbing the broom from her hands, I pointed at the stool and silently commanded her to stay in one place while I cleaned the rest of this place again.As I snapped on my black, elbow length gloves and grabbed a bottle of bleach I realized I had never seen her this frazzled before.I didn’t think she was even capable of being anything but disgusting sunshine.
I wondered what else was going on with her…
Chapter11
KIMMY
Walkingmy bicycle to the side of the house, I could feel my shoulders droop from the day’s events.I leaned my mode of transportation against the wall before slowly making my way to the front door, my mind still whirring over what the woman said to me, my mistake, and how I clammed up in response.
If it wasn’t for Mr.Dzik, I would have melted to the floor like the wicked witch from all her glaring and harsh words.But he saved me.He saved my dignity as he expertly took over and handled everything with ease.
I mean, I wouldn’t have personally chosen some of his words but the results were the same.
Exhaustion consumed my every step as I trudged up the few porch stairs toward the sanctuary of my house.My body ached from all the cleaning I had to do after the ordeal, and my mind yearned for a moment of respite.I was glad to be away from the crowd for once, though there was a slight longing for Mr.Dzik’s constant presence to give me a sense of security.I couldn’t very well bring him home with me though and I couldn’t stay there after the store was closed.
With a deep exhale, I turned the doorknob and crossed the threshold without looking.Little did I know, I was entering into a lion's den of parental interrogation.They wasted no time in bombarding me with their incessant and pessimistic questions.
"So, have you managed to embarrass our family today?"
The words pierced me like a dagger to my chest.My day was already rough, and now I had to come home to this?Was it truly this hard to be an independent woman?How did everyone do it?
Maybe that was why most of the other Asians I knew in the neighborhood continued to help with their family business even beyond marriage.
I tried my best to ignore the way her words made me feel.Did she purposely choose those words to be her first?More than likely.But I had to keep in mind that they never once gave me their approval and that it was me who went behind their back to make this decision.
Without talking back, I made my way toward my room quietly with my head hung down.
"I've had enough," my father said with a chilling finality."Young lady, turn around and stand before me this instant."
My back tensed and my hand froze on the railing.My heart pounded inside of my chest and my mouth went dry.Blinking back a few unshed tears, I took a deep breath and did as I was told.
Fear coiled inside of my gut like a snake ready to strike and take me down.I wanted to be brave.I wanted to stand up for my choices.I couldn’t go back to the restaurant, not after the way Mr.Dzik stood up for me.He deserved a stronger employee and I was willing to work hard to become that.
I reluctantly approached my father and made extra sure to not drag my feet loudly.I took a discreet deep breath inward and exhaled through my mouth while keeping my eyes casted downward.
"I will no longer stand idly by while you tarnish my name.Either you quit that job of hotdog dipping or you are disowned," he spat, jabbing a finger in my face.I could only imagine his scowl etched across his face.Their disapproval made it hard for me to breathe through my nose.
My heart stopped.
"Harold, please don't say that," my mother pleaded with a broken voice.
I watched as my tears dripped onto the floor and part of my shoe.Biting my bottom lip, I swallowed all my words down and tried to force myself to think of the day, I would finally fly from this nest that was threatening to suffocate me.
I knew my parents loved me.How could they not.But it was moments like this, I didn’t think I could survive much longer.It was why I always chose to see the brighter side of things.Because life was just a sequence of choices, wasn’t it?I wanted so desperately to choose a happier way.
I could feel his fiery gaze burn into the top of my head."Kimmy.What is your choice?”
I closed my eyes and let the rest of the tears fall as the words slipped from my lips, barely audible."I'm moving out."
I then did something my younger self would never have been brave enough to do.I sniffed, turned away, and retreated toward my room without waiting to be dismissed.
Their voices blended into a cacophony of argument as I ascended the hallway.
"Harold!What have you done?With her background of possible murder and drug use, you're going to throw her onto the streets?Oh no, our baby will be forced to strip for dollars, Harold!What are you doing to my only daughter?"my mother wailed in despair.
"She made her decision.Now she will live with it.You have forty-eight hours, and I expect a well written two week notice to be handed to me for my approval," my father called out after me, his voice echoing through the house right before I quietly shut my bedroom.
Placing my head against the door, I sniffed and hugged myself as I continued to eavesdrop on their muffled argument below.
