Episode 16

I took a deep breath. Dad was yelling at Lydia, as usual. He really should stop doing that. I've never seen Lydia answer him back, but how long can a person stand this kind of treatment when they finally crack?

"Hannah, what's going on?" Ethan asked as he looked up from his sandwich. Ethan was my half-brother. He's dad's and Lydia's kid. He's really cute, smart and loving. It's always a wonder that Ethan didn't turn out troubled living under the same roof as Dad. He's really special and I love him so much. It's really terrible that Dad didn't really play or spend time with Ethan like other dads do. I think Ethan wanted to be with Dad, but Dad's unfortunate personality scared him.

"It's probably nothing. Here, finish your snack and then we'll go do your homework, ok?" I said with a smile. He nodded his head and went back to his ham and cheese sandwich. I sighed and continued reading my book. Hailey was nowhere to be seen. She's probably avoiding him. Can't really blame her. Dad got on her case, just as much as he got on mine about my weight. With Hailey, he's always saying she should assert herself more to her studies than doing things like going out with friends. Right now, he's angry at her for taking a year off after high school to go backpacking to South East Asia. She didn't even want to go to college. She hadn't told him that. Which was why she's still alive and breathing.

Just then, the kitchen door opened and in came Hailey with a huge bag on her shoulder. Speak of the devil. She looked winded. I looked at her curiously. She dumped the bag on the breakfast counter, startling Ethan.

"Whoa, where did you come from? What's in the bag?" I asked, peering inside her bag. Hailey threw her upper body on top of the bag. I withdrew my hand and rolled my eyes. Dramatic, much?

"Is it for me?" Ethan asked her hopefully. Hailey laughed as she ruffled his soft brown hair. I just looked at her and took a sip of my iced tea. Hailey finally sat beside Ethan and started eyeing my drink. I grasped the tall glass in my hand.

"In the fridge." I said, without looking up from my book. I caught her pout and then she walked to the fridge with an identical glass. She poured some tea and drank it then and there, right in front of the opened fridge. She sighed contentedly when she finished the whole glass. She poured a second helping and closed the fridge door. She set her glass on the breakfast counter and peered over Ethan's unfinished homework. I didn't say anything, knowing well that she'll crack eventually. Hailey could never keep a secret. Especially from me and Ethan. And looking at her now, she looked like she was about to burst. Finally, she pushed the bag to the middle of the counter. I looked at her excited face and opened the bag. It was full of teddy bears made from cotton felt material. They were so pretty and colorful. I took one in my hand. It was a baby blue bear wearing denim overalls. It was cute. Ethan took one brown one.

"What are these bears doing here? Did you make these?" I asked, looking at Hailey's red, excited face. She nodded furiously. My eyes widen in surprise. Wow.

"Whoa, you made these? What are they for? And why are there so many?" I asked, fingering the tiny cute bear.

"Well, I'm actually volunteering at the hospital before I go on my backpacking trip to South East Asia. I made these with Anya. And we're having a Bear-y Special Day at the children's ward next week. Yeah, I know the name's lame but whatever. Aaron Edmunds and Taliah Woods are coming too! " Hailey said excitedly. Wow, Hollywood stars are coming, too! That's cool.

"Wow, that's great! I never knew you're really into this kind of thing."I exclaimed, genuinely surprised and proud of my sister. I mean, I always knew Hailey's kind to animals and kids really love her. But I never knew, behind her ditzy facade, she is a philanthropist at heart.

"Well, I have been volunteering at the hospital and the animal shelter recently. I don't know. I just like kids and animals. I really don't want to go to college. Urgh, Dad will kill me." Hailey groaned. I patted her hand as I looked at the bears. They were cute and very well made.

"Hey, when is this Bear-y Day thing? Can we come?" I asked her. Hailey beamed excitedly.

"I was just about to ask you and Ethan to come with. And you can ask any of your friends to come, too. We're actually raising money to treat kids in the burn unit for free. And there will be a blood drive too, so you can donate blood as well. And um, maybe you can ask Liam to come too." Hailey said coyly. I stiffened. Yeah, I knew that was coming. I forced a smile and nodded my head. Hailey squealed happily.

"It's on the 25th this month. It starts at 9 am. Don't forget okay. And bring my boyfriend here, ok," Hailey said as she ruffled Ethan's hair. Ethan complained at the hair ruffling but he secretly smiled.

Just then, a haggard-looking Lydia came into the kitchen. She gave a forced smile as she put a coffee mug and a small plate in the sink. Then she came over to where we were sitting. She put her hand on Ethan's shoulder.

"Hey baby, what are you doing there?" Lydia asked.

"Eww, Mom, I told you not to call me Baby!" Ethan whined. We chuckled at Ethan's complaint.

"Sorry, honey. Err, Hannah, your dad needs help with something. And he refused my help. Hailey, you go,too." Lydia said, looking harassed and worse for wear.

Groaning inwardly, Hailey and I trudged up the stairs towards his room. When we reached his door, Hailey looked at me. I sighed and knocked on the door.

"Come in!"A voice called out. I opened the door and both of us stepped into Dad's room. Dad was sitting on his bed. When he saw us, he beckoned us nearer. Hailey and I dragged ourselves to him.

"You called, Dad?" I said. Hailey was behind me.

"I need to go the bathroom and Lydia's too scrawny to help me. You can help me." Dad said. I bent down a little and put his arm around my shoulder. My arm around his waist supported him when he stood up. Hailey ran to the bathroom to open the door. Slowly, Dad and I made our way to the bathroom painfully.

"Not so fast! You want me to break my other leg! Don't let my leg drag! That hurts, god damnit! I thought since you're big, the least you could be is strong. There's no point being big if you're going to be a weakling like that." Dad grumbled. I gritted my teeth and hoisted him higher so his broken leg didn't drag on the floor. It took all I have not to throw him across the room.

Once in the toilet, Lydia suddenly came in and took over. She told Hailey and I to wait while she helped my Dad with his business. I sighed and sat on Dad's bed. Hailey sat beside me. She didn't look too happy either. I could hear Dad yelling at Lydia in the bathroom as usual. And Lydia did not even say a word. I think he had broken her. The yelling happened for almost 15 minutes. I began to get really agitated.

"Let's push him out the window. If you won't tell, I won't either. And I know Lydia would be so relieved to be rid of him!" Hailey growled unhappily. My head snapped to look at her. She hated Dad, but she was never vicious like this. But I understood where she was coming from. Living with Dad and Lydia for almost a year and unemployed and not in college has taken its toll. Dad finally broke Hailey, who was a cute, sweet girl before. Now she's cynical and could barely hide her distaste at Dad's mean behavior.

When Dad was done, Lydia opened the door and beckoned me to come into the bathroom. I did. Dad was sitting on a stool in there. I put his arm around my shoulder and hoisted him up, my arm firmly around his waist. Slowly, we made our way to the bed. When I have safely transferred Dad to his bed, he just grunted and got comfortable.

"You know Dad, you can use the bedpan if you need to use the bathroom. We'll empty it for you. Walking around with a broken leg cannot be good for the leg." I said as stretched my bask. Dad was a strapping 6'2 and very well-built. He's very good-looking, especially when he was young. Even at 55, he looked like George Clooney's hotter cousin. Which explains his lack of tolerance to other people's shortcomings. Especially physical ones. I knew he's embarrassed to have a less-than-perfect-sized daughter. Well, tough. That's what he got.

"I'm not a sickly invalid. And what good are you, if you can't help me?" Dad demanded and glared at me. I swallowed a retort. Calm..Must remain calm...He is still my Dad even when he's clearly acting like a spoiled, whiny bitch.

Wordlessly, I got out of the room with Hailey close at my heel. I had to get out of there. He was slowly sucking out all my energy with his bitchy mouth. Urgh, I know it's horrible to say that about my Dad. But I have no love for him. Only fear and dread. That's what he instilled in us when we were growing up. He hit us when we were kids and were being naughty and he never held or kissed us or say that he loved us. Never. He just used us to show the world what a great father he is. And even then we couldn't meet his expectations. We disappointed him when he couldn't show us off to his army buddies who have way more successful kids. Well, too bad. We're all he's got.

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