Chapter 19 (Macy)

                                        

                                              
** This chapter includes scenes of emotional abuse, parental manipulation, and psychological control, as experienced through a child's point of view. Reader discretion is advised, particularly for those sensitive to toxic parent-child dynamics or coercive family behavior.
__________________________
I sat in the car, holding my phone tight in my hands, trying to think about what to say. It was hard to focus though—Mom's been silent the whole ride. When Mom is quiet, she is mad. 
Her lips seemed tight, and she just kept tapping the steering wheel.
I turned to face the window so I wouldn't see her mad face. Thinking about what dad had told me — that it was okay to take my time if I wanted to get the video just right. I really wanted Felicity to know that I was sorry. I feel so stupid—that I hadn't thought of her when I found the purse. It was in my closet, but I should have at least thought of her. I didn't mean to hurt her feelings though. 
I looked back at my phone, and smiled a little, thinking of the surprise we'd planned. I'd helped dad do the grocery shopping for their dinner and he taught me how to cook it and put it all together. I'd had a lot of fun with that. I don't usually help in the kitchen—mom doesn't really cook, though Felicity always lets me help if she's cooking. Dad also let me pick a bouquet of flowers that are from just me. He did his own too, but I got to have my own picked out for Felicity which was really cool and super fun to do. The lady at the flower shop helped me put some colors and different flowers together for it. 
I really hope she likes the bouquet. I was kinda sad, though, that I didn't get to be there to give them to her. 
Before I knew it, we had pulled into the driveway. Mom cut the engine fast and got out like she was late for something.
Inside, I followed her to the kitchen.
"Hey, Mom?" I tried.
She didn't look up. "Put your things away."
I hesitated. "Okay. Um... also, Dad said I could record a quick video. For Felicity. Can I do it here?"
That got her attention.
She turned slowly from the counter, face blank. "A video?"
"Yeah, for Felicity."
"Why?"
"I didn't get to see her before we left and I just wanted to say—"
"No."
I blinked. "What?"
"No, Macy. There will be no video message to that woman."
I stared at her. "What? But—why?"
Mom's eyes got wide and her look got really sharp like a switch flipped. "Because she is not your family. She's your father's wife—we've talked about this before Macy."
"I know, Mom," I said quietly. "But I really l—"
"That's enough Macy. Can't you see what she's doing? She's making you feel guilty so you'll fix her problems for her. That's not fair to you or me."
"But Mom! She didn't ask me to do anything!" My voice cracked. "It's something I wanted to do. I feel bad, Mom. I hurt her feelings and I didn't mean to—"
"Macy! It breaks my heart that you care more about that woman than me. I'm your mother. I'm the one who's been here for you, doing things for you, taking care of you for your whole life." she wasn't yelling, but she wasn't not yelling.
I felt my face flush and I know I started to really cry. "That's not fair."
Her eyes narrowed. "Do you want to lose your phone for the rest of the week?"