The Full Nelson

            “You hate me, don’t you?”  She asked it without any emotion.  I didn’t answer.

            “You don’t have to say anything.  I see it every time you look at me.  I hate you, too.  I never wanted you.  I would have had an abortion….but Neal figured it out that I was pregnant.  He wouldn’t hear of my not having it.  It….to me you were an ‘it’.”

            “Is this supposed to be hurting my feelings?  Because it doesn’t.  I’m not three any more.  All the hateful words and torture you put me through all my life made me immune to whatever you have to say now.  I think we should just stay out of each other’s way.  You no longer have to cook for me or do anything for me.  We can avoid each other entirely.”

            “What you did to Charlie today….I actually found it amusing.  He’s your real father, you know.”

            “Yeah…I know….and so did dad.”

            “Neal knew?”

            “Yeah….how stupid do you think dad was?  Look at the eyes.  Dad knew.  Dad said it didn’t matter….Charlie didn’t matter.  All that mattered was that he wanted me….me…in his eyes I was his son.  And in my eyes, he was my father.”