The Daughter In the Corner

I grew up in a broken home. My mother loved my father deeply but it seems as if he never forgot his ex-wife, a wonderful lady named Amelia Farley. Ever since I could remember, we spent our Saturdays over at the Farley’s estate so my father could bond with his children from his first marriage. I hate Saturday. My half-siblings, Jenny and Peter, are nice enough but they don’t play with me because of the age difference. Dillon, the son of Amelia and her current husband, Chris, is just two years older than me but we don’t really play together either. He doesn’t seem to like me much. I could somehow tell that I wasn’t welcomed. Whenever we went over to the Farley house, Father never paid me any mind, he was too busy with his other children and Mommy was always talking to Amelia. Meanwhile, I kept to myself, knowing if I fussed, I would upset my father who would then yell at Mommy the moment we got in the car. I didn’t like them fighting so I did my best to look happy while I played in a corner of the room. Every weekend I watched Amelia, Chris, and their children out of the corner of my eye and wished that I was part of their family instead. Sometimes the old Farley couple, Helena and Henry were around and they would play with me. It felt nice, having grandparents, even though they weren’t mine. My grandpa, Kristoff, was quiet and liked to sit in his room or work in his flower garden. He didn’t talk too much. I heard from the workers that he suffered from some kind of trauma a few years ago and has closed himself off ever since. My maternal grandparents died before I was born so I never got a chance to know them. Today started off great. It's Thursday and Christmas Eve. Father said he would come home to spend time with me and Mommy for dinner. I sat by the window reading my favorite fairy tale book to wait for him. When dinner time rolled around, Mommy said he was held up by something at work and made me eat first. After dinner, I rushed back to my window seat. I wanted to be the first to greet Father when he got home. It wasn’t until bedtime that I heard the familiar engine pulling up the circle drive. Looking out, I saw my father get out of his sports car with numerous boxes in his arms. I was so excited. Father was late because he was buying presents for me and Mommy. I rushed to the front door before the butler could get there and pulled the heavy doors open. “Welcome home, Father!!” My father looked surprised to see me. “Hello, Amara.” “You must be starving! I’ll tell Mommy to heat some food for you!” I spotted a sheepish look on his face as he broke eye contact. “I already ate.” “Oh,” I murmured but then looked at the boxes in his hands, “Do you need help with that?” My father smiled at last, “Oh yes, these are for you. Don’t open them until tomorrow morning.” “Oh wow!” I jumped in excitement and reached out to receive the gifts. I was all smiles until he spoke again. “The pink one is from Jenny. The blue one is from Peter. Amelia and Chris got you the orange box…” The smile on my face froze as I realized where he had been all evening.