Jen sits at the table, she looks nervous and uncomfortable. Melanie is fussing around preparing food. She has been welcoming towards us. I have a strange feeling it’s just an act. I lean over and place a hand over Jen’s.
“You need to relax” I whisper, she looks up and bites down on her lip. “If you want I’ll ask all the questions.”
“No, I need to do this” she sighs.
“What are you kids whispering about” Melanie jokes as she places food down on the table. Jen looks up at her all wide eyes. “I’m joking. I made your favourite. Pot roast.” She takes her place at the head of the table. “Tuck in before it gets cold.”
Both I and Jen recluntly begin to help ourselves to food. We all eat in silence. I might not like the woman but she sure can cook. I look up at Jen and she is just moving food around her plate. This can’t go on and I am desperate for answers. I sit up straight and turn my attention to Melanie.
“You said you’ve been here a year?”
“Yeah. Jen’s dad was in a bad state and needed someone to help out.” She puts her fork down and looks over at Jen. “You really have to understand how upsetting it was when your mother left him. He wouldn’t leave the house and he would drink...”
“And you came to his rescue” Jen snaps, slamming her fork down. “What exactly are you doing here?”
“I told you. I am here because your father needs me.”
“You said he has gone away. Obviously without you.” Jen lets out a deep breath. “Shouldn’t you be on my mother’s side? After all she is the victim in all of this. He lied to her and he committed Freud. You do know that, right?”
Melanie shifts in her chair and reaches for her glass of water. “Of course I do.” She takes a big gulp and swallows loudly. “You have no idea how demanding your mother is. She wanted the best of everything and he had to pay for it somehow.”
“Not by being a criminal. Are you with my father? Are you and him an item?” Melanie doesn’t answer. She just looks down at the table. “I knew it! So you lied, your not just here as a friend and you do know where he is.”
“Jennifer, please don’t be angry with me…”
“Of course I’m angry.” She throws her hands up in the air. “He has been threatening my mother. He sent men with guns to come and get me.”
“And why would your father do something as crazy like that” she narrows her eyes. “He loves you and he would never do anything like that. I think your mother has been telling you lies and I feel for her, of course I do.” She points her finger in Jen’s direction. “Let’s get one thing very clear. Your mother treated your father like dirt. She was never happy and constantly cheated on him.”
Out of nowhere a door opens and slams shut. Both I and Jen turn to look at Melanie, who now looks just as shocked as we are. She pushes back her chair and storms out of the room. That’s when the shouting begins.
“What are you doing here?” we hear Mel yell, it’s the other voice that makes Jen stand up and charge out of the room. I closely follow behind, eager to see who has caused this reaction from them.
A tall slim man with grey hair is standing in a doorway, his skin tanned and wrinkled, it looks like he hasn’t shaved in awhile. He looks tired and his clothes are all creased up. The minute he sees Jen, he takes a step back shaking his head. A hand covers his mouth and he lets out a painful cry.
With a shaking hand he points at Jen and turns to look at Melanie.
“What is she doing here…? This wasn’t…”
Melanie walks up to him and places her hands on his shoulders. We can’t see her facial expression as her back is towards us. I can tell she is mouthing something to him.
Before I have a chance to do anything Jen comes running up to Mel and pushes her out of the way -Almost sending her flying through a wall. She begins to push her father until he is forced up against a wall. Her fists start punching his chest and she is crying uncontrollably.
“You’re a liar. You’re spineless. How could you? How could you?” she yells at him, over and over again. It’s as if she uses all her strength up and collapses on the floor in a hemp.
Her father looks down at her. He is breathing heavily, but it’s his expression that captures me the most. He looks shocked with a hint of confusion. He should be on his knees hugging his daughter – comforting her, reassuring her everything would be okay.
My heart breaks for her, I drop next to her side and hug her. Her head falls against my chest and the tears continue to fall. I look up at him and meet his gaze.
“I don’t know what to say” he mumbles, running his hand down his face. “I don’t know what to say.” He staggers through a doorway, not bothering to even speak to his daughter. At least we have found the arsehole.
My grip of Jen tightens and I slowly help her to stand up. The tears are calming down; I can feel her shaking with anger.
“You lied to me, Mel” she sobs. I guide her to the front door. She needs to get out of here and gather herself before she does anything stupid. “I’ll be back tomorrow” she yells over my shoulder. “And you make sure that waste of space is here!”