Page 5 of Don't Make Me Beg
“We’re upset…because you’ve disappointed us. You have a certain reputation to uphold, and today you caused a scene,” my mother clarifies, rolling her eyes like it’s the most obvious thing in the world.
“But I didn’t do anything wrong. You know I don’t need to cheat to pass my classes, especially not from Jimmy?—"
My mother cuts me off before I can finish. “Ok, now that’s enough. There’s no need to insult the man. This isn’t about Jimmy. We’re talking about you, young lady.”
I can feel my blood growing hotter, all my feelings of guilt and shame quickly being replaced with white hot anger. I shake my head. “I can’t believe this. Here I thought you two would be on my side, but you’re really going to defend Jimmy over me?”
My father drops his hands from his temples with a sigh, then, as if trying to take a gentler approach, lowers his voice and says, “Listen, honey, we can talk about this and figure out a plan after I have some time to think. But right now, can you please just call Jimmy and apologize?”
My mother places a hand on my shoulder. “There’s no reason for a misunderstanding to come between you two. The wedding’s only six months away, and we’ve already sent out the invitations. Let’s not add any more drama than what’s already been done.”
Of course, that’s what this is about. For the past two years, Jimmy’s and my mother have been planning this massive wedding—despite all my protests about not wanting anything big. If she’d listened to me, and didn’t invite over five hundred guests, and let me have the small wedding I’d always dreamed of, she wouldn’t be stuck uninviting all her guests.
I don’t know why I thought it’d be any different. It’s always the same with them. They don’t care about what I want. All they are concerned about is that I make them look good. I can’tbelieve that it took getting kicked out of law school for me to finally see it.
I shrug her hand away and take a step back, feeling emboldened to finally stand up for myself. I can’t believe I’ve listened to them all this time, thinking they had my best interest in mind.
“No. I’m not going to apologize for anything because I didn’t do anything wrong. Jimmyshouldfeel embarrassed. Imagine how humiliatedIam right now? This is all his fault, and I’m not going to bow down this time.” I let out a deep breath and slowly take another step back, my pulse racing as I gauge their reaction.
My parents don’t even try to hide their shocked expressions as they stare back at me like they don’t even recognize me anymore.
And honestly, I can’t blame them; I’m just as shocked as they are. In all my twenty-five years, not once have I ever stood up to them and stuck up for myself.
I turn to leave, slowly making my way to the door. I’m not even sure where I’m going, but I feel like we all need a little space to process the events of the day. I’ll give them a chance to cool off and then, hopefully, we can talk about this rationally.
But I stop dead in my tracks at the sound of my mother’s voice.
“Where do you think you’re going?”
Before I can answer, my father clears his throat, then says, “Whatever this rebellious act is needs to stop…because you are going to marry Jimmy. Do I make myself clear?”
My eyebrows furrow in confusion as I look at my mother to see if I heard him right. But she doesn’t even flinch, just stares back at me with a stone cold look on her face.
I take another step back and scoff. “No, I’m not. I meant what I said today. I can’t marry someone who’d betray me like that… And why would you want me to?”
“The decision has already been made. This is not up for debate,” my father snaps back.
I cross my arms over my chest, feeling my blood boiling with a whole new level of rage. “No. I’m. Not. And you can’t make me.” I may sound like a stubborn five-year-old, but I don’t care. Maybe if he hears himself, he’ll realize how unhinged he sounds right now.
He takes a step forward. Then another.
The look he gives me is cold and controlled; it’s nothing short of terrifying, and I have to will my feet not to move.
“Are you sure about that? Because I think we both know exactly how this ends.”
He’s threatening me now?
I swallow hard, forcing down the lump in my throat, and meet his gaze like my whole body isn’t trembling in fear. “I won’t do it. I’m sorry if that upsets you, but this is my life…and I’m done. I can’t do this anymore.”
“You’re done?” My father mimics my words, scoffing a laugh as he shares a look with my mother.
If there was ever a moment to backtrack, this is it, but I find myself strangely feeling braver than I ever have. At this point, what more do I have to lose?
I make my way toward the door, but I stop in my tracks at the sound of my father’s cruel tone. “Give me your keys.”
I glance behind me to see him holding out his palm as he tries to mask his shock with anger. “The keys, Scout. Give me your keys,” he says again, voice clipped, his patience fraying at the edges.
With an exaggerated sigh, I fish the lone key from my back pocket and press it into his palm. “Happy?”
