For Her Protection

CASSIE-4

Chapter Four

As if the tension in the room couldn't get any worse, Stefeno strolls in the living room and sits in the arm chair right across from me. He places his foot on his knee and leans back. He rubs his chin and just stares at me. I was about to say something when Elijah clears his throat, acting as if he is nervous to speak to me. I look at him and he looks away, unable to look me in the face. I've never seen him this way before. For as long as I can remember, he has held this confidence. I guess its up to me to get this going. Well, here goes nothing....

"Alright, cut the s**t Elijah, why are ya'll here?" I bite out. It's a little harsh, but I'm tired of the bullshit. I just want them gone. He blows out a breath and takes another deep breath as if he is bracing himself. "I told you, Cass." He pauses, trying to choose his words carefully. "Dad was in an accident. It's time for you to come home. He's going to need the both of us to help him." I cut my eyes at him. I feel like I'm about to explode. I take a deep breath, trying to get a handle on my anger before I completely unload on him. "And I told you, this is my home. I'm NOT going back to New York. There is NOTHING for me there." I look him in the eyes, never faltering, letting him know I mean business. "Cassie, you know we love you..." And I loose it! I completely loose my s**t.

I throw my blanket off, stand up, square my shoulders and unleash everything. "LOVE ME?? LOVE ME?? YOU ASSHOLES ABANDONED ME!! OUR FATHER ACTED AS IF I DIDN'T EXSIST. HE NEVER CAME HOME, NEVER ANSWERED PHONE CALLS OR TEXT MESSAGES. I WAS LEFT COMPLETELY ALONE!! AND YOU!! YOU f*****g LEFT THE GOD DAMN COUNTRY. YOU BOTH WERE SUPPOSED TO PROTECT ME AND YOU BOTH LEFT ME. I WAS ALONE!! I HAD TO FACE EVERYTHING ON MY OWN!! I WAS 14!! FOURTEEN! THE ONLY PERSON THERE WAS AUNT CLARA. NOT YOU, NOT MY FATHER, NOT ANYONE! I DIDN'T SEE OR HEAR FROM EITHER OF YOU! YOU DIDN'T CALL, YOU DIDN'T TEXT, YOU DIDN'T f*****g CARE. EVEN THEN, I TRIED. I f*****g TRIED! I WENT TO NEW YORK! I CALLED BOTH OF YOU!! I WAS LEFT IN A HOTEL ROOM, WAITING FOR YOU TO ANSWER ME AND YOU NEVER DID!! YOU ABADNONED ME AGAIN!!" I couldn't help it. The tears started streaming down my face. But I didn't let that stop me! "AND NOW YOU SHOW UP AT MY HOME, AFTER NOT HEARING FROM YOU FOR FOUR YEARS! FOUR f*****g YEARS! f**k YOU, ELIJAH! YOU WANT ME TO COME BACK AND CARE FOR MAN WHO DIDN'T GIVE TWO SHITS IF I WAS ALIVE AND BREATHING?? A MAN I HAVEN'T SPOKEN TO IN FOUR YEARS?? A MAN WHO COULDN'T EVEN SHOW UP TO MY GRADUATION?? YOU'VE LOST YOUR f*****g MIND!! I'M NEVER GOING BACK!! DO YOU HEAR ME?? YOU BOTH CAN ROT IN HELL FOR ALL I CARE!! NOW, GET THE f**k OUT OF MY HOUSE!! AND DON'T NEVER COME BACK!! STAY THE f**k AWAY FROM ME!! YOU PIECE OF s**t!! GET OUT!!!! LEAVE!!!" I storm past him and run up the stairs. I slam my bedroom door shut! I lean against my door and just let the tears stream. I get up, and walk over to my bed. I lay down and let sleep take hold of me.