Page 11 of Quarantined
If you are not in the mindset to have a sensible conversation with me, I am going to excuse myself from this situation. Feel free to call me when you are in control of your emotions, and we can have a mature discussion on how to resolve this argument.
Can you believe that shit comes out of a fourteen-year-old’s mouth? Reid gets dumbstruck, and I usually have to reel in a snort. So why is she not standing up to Uncle John?
Right now, I need a reaction from her. A normal reaction to her abnormal father. I will take any reaction other than her nonchalant act.
I take a deep breath. I have to approach this with caution. Raven is all about being rational and seeing things from the other person’s perspective. That’s how I have to approach it if I want to get through to her. I have never had to put this much effort when speaking to any other female. Somehow, this fourteen-year-old always keeps me on my toes.
“Okay. Let’s pass off the electric bill fiasco as a fluke,” I start cautiously. “However, do you believe that Uncle John is currently upholding his duties to you, as your father? Yes, he is going through a tough time. Yes, he lost the only woman he has ever loved. But he also has an obligation to you.”
I remind myself that she is fourteen and a girl. This conversation might make her cry. On the other hand, if she is as mature as I peg her to be, she might reflect on my words and really listen to my advice.
I continue. “We all go through tough times. It’s part of life. It’s alright to mourn any loss for a reasonable amount of time. But if it’s at the expense of everything you value, when does it stop being a mourning period and become a lifestyle you lead?”
I pause, letting that sink in. Raven doesn’t waiver, not giving anything away with her expressions.
“If he doesn’t know his behavior is affecting you negatively, he will not change,” I say as softly as I can.
Raven listens to my whole spiel without interrupting. When she is sure I am done, she speaks slowly. “He does know. I approached him twice about this.”
This is news to me. “He does?”
“You know, as well as I do, you cannot force anyone into something they are not ready for. Our discussions only made him more uncomfortable and embarrassed. The first time I approached him was when mom left. He was being reclusive and detached. I told him I needed him to step up as my father. He agreed, and it lasted about a week. It was like pulling teeth. Finally, he stopped trying. And he stopped wanting to be around me. My best guess? He was drowning in self-pity and couldn’t face the disappointment in my eyes. That’s when we decided to move to New York.”
“I thought Uncle John moved because my dad asked him to.” I am awed at all this new information.
“That was part of it. Once we moved here, I told him I needed him to do better. He tried his best. Then I caught him talking to Doctors Without Borders, about a possible assignment. It became clear to me. He needs to get away from here. I am a constant reminder of my mother, and my expectations are not making it better. Each time he is not able to meet them, he sinks further into self-loathing. Nowadays, he has been leaving the house before I wake up, coming home after I go to sleep. The few times I see him, he wears a look of guilt. It’s like, he knows he is not doing right by me, but doesn’t have the energy or the will power to change. So he avoids me.”
I open my mouth to voice some follow up questions. Raven speaks before I can ask.
“He still goes to work. He just avoids me. And on various occasions, he forgets bills and responsibilities. The way I see it, I still have a roof over my head, and all of my best friends live next door. You guys have become my family. Maybe down the road, dad will realize what he is doing is not fair to me. As it stands, the more I discuss unwanted things with him, the more he will pull away from me. Right now, he doesn’t know how to be my father.”
I am quiet. What do you say to that? I stay quiet for so long that Raven finally bumps my shoulder. I sigh.
“Lord help the boy you end up with. He will never win an argument. Most likely, he won’t even know that he lost the argument.”
Raven laughs and cocks her head, as her dark hair spills over her shoulder. I have already made up my mind about how I am going to approach this. Raven is not easily susceptible to ideas that wound her pride. So I will have to use logic again, to make my case. No matter what, she is going to accept my offer.
“Look, Rave, you make some good points. Now I want to make a point of my own. By your own admission, you are telling me that Uncle John is currently an unfit parent. He is lost and not mentally capable of the responsibilities of a parent.” I pause to see if Raven will argue.
Raven doesn’t interrupt. She is listening intently to my argument.
“We also have an absentee parent. So dad and I pick up the slack. There is no one here to pick up the slack. While I believe in your abilities, I am uncomfortable with the idea of you living in this house. What if an intruder comes in? If your phone is dead due to electricity loss, and your dad is not here, what do you plan to do?”
I let my terrifying thoughts sink in. My own stomach drops at the idea. “I’d like for you to move in with us. At least temporarily. We love it when you stay over. Reid has all but physically already moved you in. He has covered our guest room with your pictures and personal items. Whenever we have guests, Reid lets them know that they are staying inRaven’s room, and not the guest room.”
I lean back on the step casually. I don’t want to come off too strong, but my heart is beating really fast. What if she rejects my idea?
I make my closing statement. “To me, it makes logical sense. You said you live next door to your best friends, who have become your family. If the situation was reversed, you would want us to come stay with you, would you not? If we refused, it would be indicative that we are not as close as we say we are. If we really are family, then this is a no brainer. Still, if you are uncomfortable with the idea, see it as a temporary arrangement until your father sorts out his shit.”
I have to take a deep breath, after spitting all that out. I can’t even imagine Raven staying in this house, not after everything she disclosed. She is coming back with me. It’s not a choice. But I will give her a chance to respond.
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Raven
Milo is waiting for a response. If I know him at all, he is not waiting for me to say yes. This is happening, no matter what I say. He is just waiting for me to acknowledge it.
All of his protective instincts are out. I have seen Milo like this before when he is being protective of Reid and Mia. When he is this determined, no one can get in his way. Not his parents, not the world, not even God himself.
