23.9 The Deep Truth

Kori entered the room snarling as per usual, much to Jared’s chagrin. When did that horrible facade become the norm? There was not a huge fight or some other memorable event. One day she was the cute, spunky Kori they all knew and loved, and the next she seemed bothered by life itself. Asia tried to warn him about how moody teenage girls could be, but he didn’t believe it would get that bad. His niece, Bianca, was the worst of the worst, but she had reason for it. Her parents got divorced, and the relationship between she and her mother was not healthy. Everyone understood why Bianca carried so much anger and did their best to remind her of how much she was loved despite not feeling loved by her mother. But, what was Kori’s deal? No sweet words or encouragement made even a tiny dent in her armor. Jared began to lose the will to smile and bear it, but he could never give up on his precious baby girl.

“Good morning, baby girl.”

She cut her eyes at him, sending his blood pressure up a bit. Rudeness was not something he tolerated, and the girl child tested in him ways he never imagined. Enacting his dad authority didn’t work with her. Asia said she needed to be understood and not yelled at. It was hard, but he could do it. If only he could stop his eye from twitching at all the venom she spewed over the family.

“You look nice,” he said.

“She looks like she’s been dreaming about Victor all night. Maybe it’s time for the woohoo talk, Dad.” Kaleb made kissy faces at her.

“Shut up, rat face!”

“Ok, cut it, you two!” It was too early in the morning for that level of nonsense. What was up with those two? Weren’t twins supposed to adore one another? “Apologize to your sister. That was inappropriate.”

Kaleb rolled his eyes. “Sorry.”

“You apologize too, Kori. You’re been very inappropriate to all of us over the past few weeks.”

Kaleb snorted and went back to his breakfast.

Kori’s jaw stiffened and eyes narrowed so tiny he could barely see the whites. Her balled fists came crashing down onto the table, rattling the porcelain and metal which rested on it. “I hate this family!”

Jared’s eye twitched. Everything inside heated, priming to explode and shut down the insolence. But, a tiny voice urging him to simply listen managed to drown out all the sirens blaring in his head. He closed his eyes, inhaled slow and deeply, praying for strength to keep his cool. “I don’t think you mean that. What’s bothering you? Please talk to me, baby girl.”

“I hate being a Pruett!”

Jared’s eyebrows reached for the ceiling. Something which felt like a bolt of lightning surged through his body. How had things escalated to this?

“It’s all people see when they look at me! I can’t trust anyone! All my friends are fakes!”

This was a deep one–the deepest one yet. He understood her feelings and encountered the effects of the Pruett fame many times over. But, he embraced it. Maybe it was easier for him because he was a man. Or, maybe it was because he was closer to the legacy than she was.

All the wheels spun at max speed as he tried to think of a way to validate her feelings while showing her being a Pruett was something to be proud of, but the school bus was on its way. This one couldn’t be solved in 15 minutes. As a matter of fact, this was not one that could be solved. He needed to consult with the high council. Without Asia, he would be a much different father.

“What about Chelsea?”

Her eyes puffed up and became glassy. “She’s been using me! I never want to see her again!”

Jared’s heart broke for his daughter. Betrayal was the worst kind of pain. “I’m sorry you’re hurt, baby girl. Can I do anything for you?”

She sighed. “I’m sorry, Daddy. I just hate this!”

“I understand. I really do. Finish your breakfast. I’d like to talk more about this after school. Is that ok?”

“Yeah … I guess.”

At last! A dent in the armor! “I love you, baby girl. It might not matter to you, but I think you’re the best.”

“What about me, Dad?” Kaleb asked, grinning from ear to ear.

Oy. The lost son. He and Asia needed to do better about showing him some attention. “You’re the best too, son.”