Page 67 of Among the Sins of my Father

Reaching out, I cup Michael’s cheek and look deep into his eyes. “I will only worship at the feet of my Priest.”

I expect him to respond with rage but all he does is stare, his gaze cutting through me. A cold smile stretches over his face and then he rolls over, turning his back to me.

I don’t sleep. I’m too plagued by the tears of the girl in the cell. Michael sends a nurse to treat me the next day. She sponges away the blood. She cleans my wounds and wipes away my tears.

I stay secluded in the room, not wanting to face anyone, but when dinner time rolls around, Michael demands that I accompany him. It is my birthday after all. He says I need to get in the mood for tonight’s party. He helps me dress. He brushes my hair. He bends down and slips my shoes on my feet.

Everyone is already seated at the table by the time we walk in. They all murmur ‘Happy Birthday’ but Ette gasps when she sees me.

“What happened to your face?” she cries, escaping the dart of Mary’s hand and running over to me. There are tears when she looks up and I smile, hoping to shed some of her fear.

Michael bristles when he sees my father. “You fucking coward,” he spits. “Look what you’ve done to her.”

My father glances up as though noticing me for the first time and shrugs. “It’s nothing a little makeup won’t fix.”

“I think we’ll eat in our room tonight,” Mary says, getting to her feet.

“But it’s Berkley’s birthday!” Ette cries.

Mary snaps her fingers and holds her hand out. “Come, Dominque.”

I don’t bother to correct her. Maybe this is our life now. Maybe she is Dominque. Maybe I will never escape being Everly.

Ette looks to me as Mary drags her from the room and I force a smile and a small wave.

“The fucking party is tonight,” Michael hisses.

“You should be thanking me,” my father says. “She needed a lesson in gratefulness.”

The room falls into an uncomfortable silence, everyone picking at their food hesitantly and avoiding each other’s eyes. My father doesn’t seem to notice though, or if he does, he doesn’t care.

“I heard from Katriane the other day,” he says.

Mrs Gorman looks up, relieved the conversation is headed in a more civilized direction. “And how is your dear wife?”

“Ex-wife,” my father corrects. He directs his gaze toward me, ignoring Mrs Gorman’s question. “Apparently your brother has absconded from the facility where they were holding him.”

“He’s not my brother,” I say through gritted teeth.

My father rolls his eyes. “Your half-brother then. You didn’t have anything to do with it, did you, Gorman?”

Mr Gorman looks startled at his question. An amused look passes over his face. “Of this sin, I am innocent.”

“Good,” my father says, shoveling food into his mouth. “It’s the best place for him. God knows I tried to help that boy, but there’s more than one screw loose in that kid’s head.”

“I wonder why?” Michael mutters under this breath.

Mrs Gorman looks over at me, blinking as though it will wipe away the tension. “How is the practice going, dear?”

“Good, from what I saw,” my father answers. “I’m sure she’ll give a splendid performance, won’t you, Everly?”

I toy with my food, moving it around the plate rather than eating it.

My father slaps the table. “Won’t you, Everly?”

I jump, startled by the sound and slowly lift my gaze to the monster. “I’m sure you’ll be very proud, Father.” I push my chair back from the table. “I should probably go practice now, just to make sure.”

Michael reaches out as I pass him, his fingers tugging on mine. “I’ll come with you. I’ve got a surprise for you.”

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