Chain Reaction 2.22: My Emily

Graham

     I sit on my bed and take deep breaths.
     Emily... My heart breaks.
     My little girl.

    I look to my left. Wasn't it just yesterday that her little cradle sat there? I took so many days off just to be near my baby girl.
     I shake strangely as my breathing becomes ragged. Reality is harsh. That's always what people say, and I've seen more than my fair share of horrible, mostly thanks to that young man's grandfather.
     My hand wipes my face, moving down from my forehead to rest on my beard.
     This is by far the hardest truth I've faced.
     My daughter... is dating... a Goth. Reason tells me that it should be okay. Drake is not Alex, but sometimes, it's so easy to get fooled from just looking at him. His mannerisms are even the same as Alex's, which are the same as Mortimer's, especially when Alex happily taunts me.

     Drake is not Alex. Drake is not Alex. Drake is not Alex. Drake is not Alex. Drake is not Alex.
     I force another deep breath. It hurts. When I close my eyes, I can see Emily's and the expression she had. She meant it: she'd do whatever she needed to do to be with that boy. Also... I saw the pain in her eyes that she knew she was going against me.
     My chest shakes as I bring my hands up to cover my face. I don't want to break down and cry, but this is especially difficult.
     If only she knew what I knew...
     "You need to tell her, Graham," I hear Brielle's voice say in my memory.
     No, Brielle. It would hurt her to know the things that boy's grandfather has done, not to mention the things her precious 'Uncle Alex' did to me.
     They've somehow figured out a piece of the puzzle. I guess I was a fool to think I could keep it from her forever. She's too smart. It's just it never mattered that she should know! I've tried to hide my kids from my worst hatred. I failed.
      I hear the door downstairs close. She's home. At least I don't have to find her and drag her back inside like I did the other night, making a fool of myself.
     Her footsteps are light as she climbs the stairs. She walks into her room, humming happily. A knife twists in my gut at the implication.

     Intending to get a glass of milk, I walk into the living room instead.
     I love that portrait.

     The memories continue to torture me. We sat right on that couch and snuggled while watching one of her favorite movies. I always found time for my little Emily. Those moments were precious.

     She's not your little Emily anymore, Graham. She's Drake Goth's girlfriend.
     I let out a huff. No. She'll always be my Emily. This is a hard pill to swallow, but I'll do my best. If I don't, I know I'll lose her forever. I couldn't bear that. That would be worse than dealing with the fact that she's dating a Goth.

     Wait.
     Wait. Wait. Wait.
     They're a couple of teenagers. What are the odds they'll stay together for very long?
     A tiny ray of hope shines through the darkness of my harsh reality. I take a deep breath, and it doesn't hurt.

     But I must be sure to do nothing to cause it. Odds are it'll happen on its own. If I do anything to sabotage, she'll be furious. I just have to be patient. I can do that. He'll be out of the picture soon enough, and that'll be the end of Emily having anything to do with the Goths.

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Fun pic!

Poor Graham.

This is the first time I've seen this happen.

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