“Why is she here anyway, huh?” she screamed, and I flinched, hearing something break. “I didn’t want her! You made me have her. You!”
“Me? Why the fuck would I want you to have her? I—”
“Oh, don’t you play dumb now! This is your fault! If you hadn’t told your parents—”
“I wanted to help you!” he screamed back at her. “I wanted to get the son of a bitch who hurt you. I was going to make them pay—”
“When have you ever made anyone pay for fucking shit, Roman? You weren’t going to do a damn thing. You ran to Daddy to take care of it, and instead they punished me! They forced me to keep it! Why? Why? Because your batshit crazy mother wouldn’t allow it. She lost her sons, and so apparently, everyone has to cherish their children even if they are fucking evil spawns! It’s not fair! Nine months! Nine months I had to carry that…that thing! Because of all of you! You talked me out of it because you wanted their money! It’s your fault, too! And now you are trying to lecture me! You!”
“So, we’re just supposed to let you beat the shit out of her? She is six years old!”
“I don’t care! Get rid of her! I hate her! Every breath she takes, every time I see those damn eyes…”
“Camilla!” he yelled.
I walked farther down the stairs, moving to the kitchen, but stayed by the door. They were on the floor, and she was crying more. But I knew my father was holding her.
“I hate her. I hate her.” She cried more.
“Shh…sh
hh…I’ll talk to them. My mom, she’ll take her in. I’m sure they will take her.” He kissed the top of her head.
And when she turned, she saw me, and her face bunched once more. Her eyes widened. And Dad turned back to me.
I stared at them.
“Calliope, go back to your room—”
“What happened to your face, Callie?” my mom asked gently. She switched. She pulled away from Dad and came to me. She placed her hands on my face. “Callie, what happened? Are you okay?” she asked, touching me all over while Daddy stood behind her with his hands over his face.
“Callie?” She smiled at me, even though her eyes were red. “What happened? Who did this?”
“I fell, Mommy,” I whispered. “Daddy helped me.”
“Why are you so clumsy, silly?” She cupped my cheeks before looking over her shoulder. “Did you take her to the hospital.”
He stared at her for a long time before shaking his head. “It wasn’t that bad.”
“Looks pretty bad.” She frowned at me. “Are you okay? Why are you out of bed? It’s late.”
“I’m hungry.”
“You’re hungry?” She laughed, taking my hand and leading me into the kitchen. “I smell pasta. Let’s see if there is any left.”
“Okay.”
“Okay? Why are you all quiet?” She lifted me and put me at the dining seat. “Roman, sit down to let us eat.”
Dad didn’t say anything to her and instead sat beside me. “Eat quickly.”
I nodded. This Mommy wouldn’t stay long, and I didn’t want to meet the other Mommy again.
“I put in extra meatballs for you,” she said, coming over with my plate.
I stared at it. Why couldn’t she be like this all the time? My eyes burned, but I didn’t cry. I grabbed the fork and stuffed my face.
CALLIOPE—PRESENT