Page 62 of Motivating Mira
She opened it with a huff and rolled her eyes. “What?”
“Is that how you talk to me?” I asked, my tone firm and my lips flat.
She sighed. “No. Sorry,” she said, sounding sulky.
“Good. May I come in?”
She stepped out of the way, and I walked in. “I like what you guys did on the project.”
She flopped onto her bed, and I sat on her gaming chair. “It was actually fun.”
“So why’d you pull that crap?”
She shrugged. “I dunno.”
“Are you punishing him?” I leaned back in the chair. “It looks like it.”
“Maybe.” She twirled a chunk of hair around her finger. “I’m just angry all the time. It’s not fair.”
“Who are you angry at?” I knew the answer, but it wasn’t something I could just tell her. She needed to figure it out on her own.
“Mom.” Her bottom lip trembled. “I’m angry at Mom.” Her eyes moved to the side. “But how can I be? She’s dead.”
“Your feelings are valid. She kept you from your dad and then in the most awful way, she dumped you on each other. I’m mad at her too.”
Marni sniffled. “Because she dumped me on you?”
“Nope. I love you. You’re one of the best things in my life. Your dad loves you too, though.”
Her eyes snapped to mine and then away as fast as they’d come.
“You both looked so happy when I walked in. But, Marn, you should have seen his face when you tried to ditch him. The poor guy.”
She slumped. “I know. I’m such an asshole.”
I didn’t call her on her cursing. That was something to worry about another day. Today’s worries were big enough.
“What are you going to do?”
Again her eyes flicked to mine. “Do?”
“Yeah, are you going to keep punishing him for your mom’s decisions because he’s here, or are you going to be the mature brainiac I know and love and show yourself and him some grace and work together to get through this?”
“It isn’t his fault.” She rubbed her hands on her jean-clad thighs.
“Nope. And you aren’t the only one she left without answers. He has a right to be angry too. He’ll never know why she kept you from him. That’s gotta sting.”
She nodded and looked at the door.
“And he missed out on watching you grow up to be this amazing young woman. And his own best friend knows more about his daughter than he does.” I took a deep breath and shook my head.
“You lost your mom, but you gained a dad. One who’s clueless but loves you so much.”
She sat a little taller. “He does?”
“So much. He lost your childhood. Your mom denied him that. So are you going to deny him the few years he has left of you as a kid, too?”
That did it. Tears burst from her eyes, and she started sobbing. I held my arms open, but she didn’t head for me. Instead, she headed for the door where her dad stood against the jamb, his eyes welling.
