A New Home

"What do you want me to say, that I’m happy for you?  Well, I’m not, so why should I say it?"

The slight smile on Peter’s face perturbed her even more. 

He could go home and not think twice about it, she thought.  He’ll still get a decent night’s sleep knowing that I’m in shambles and Emily is fatherless.

"I’m not asking you to be happy," he said, leaning against the counter with that all-too familiar condescending tone.

Peter was afraid he was going to have to stoop to her level to get through to her.

"I just wanted you to know because you should know and Emily should know too."

"What else would you like her to know Peter?  Would you like to tell her about Betsy?  That she isn’t real and neither are you…her friend AND her father are both imaginary- transparent- they don’t exist.  Just a made up disappointment and a sorry excuse for a man who drops his family on a fucking dime because he’d rather start fresh with no responsibilites?"

"Shut up."

"Oh come on Peter, if you’re gonna say shut up why don’t you fucking mean it-"

"SHUT UP.  YOU TOLD ME I COULDN’T CHANGE…this is the only way I can."

"By fucking us over-"

"I INVITED YOU!  There’s room for all of us, and we wouldn’t even have to pay for a roof over our heads!  You’re nuts!"

"It’s a fucking BRAINWASH PETER."

"IT’S EUPHORIA KA-REN.  How many times do I have to tell you, I got a sign, something spoke to me- I mean- it SHOUT OUT OF THE CLOUDS!  Something hit me and I started laughing uncontrollably because I was touched by something…I dunno- something BIG. I have to do this- there’s no option, I’ve been chosen."

"To do what?"

"I don’t know!  I’m going to find out. This isn’t something that I can come to terms with in one night, I have to stay at the temple and wait for-"

She let out a huff and he waited until she settled.  She folded her arms and he knew he could continue.

"Wait for whatever it is I heard…to speak again.  I’ll…see what I can do about Emily…maybe you’ll think about this and we won’t have to split up."

"I’ve made up my mind-"

"You can’t speak for Emily-"

"You think our little girl can decide for herself if she wants to join a cult?"

"It’s not a cult."

"You used to make fun of these people you asshole.  What the hell is wrong with you?"

"Nothing…absolutely nothing.  What is wrong with you?"

She spit in his face and watched it dribble down his nose.  He only blinked at her.

"I’m going to miss that face," he said, and it was the way he said it, that frightened her most.  With the utmost sincerity, to his wife, the woman that just spit in his face.

"I’m in a state of clear," he added.

She wanted to reply with something smart, but the anger overwhelemed her and the shaking swept over her body until she was trembling uncontrollably.  Her fist was bright red and she would’ve loved to smash it through this nightmare.

Peter just watched her.  She needs someone to talk to, he thought, making a mental note. 

Someone to talk to Emily too.