Forever My Soul Complete

She trembled slightly. Afraid to look her father in the eyes, she stared at the food on the table, as her heart raced, she breathed heavier.

            Bland looked over at his daughter, “What’s the matter with you?” he asked with a questioning look.

            Amy didn’t answer, but continued to breath heavy and stare at her plate.

            “I asked you a question. What’s going on? You haven’t talked this much in a month. And what the hell’s with all this food? Something’s not right. Now you better tell me what this is all about?”

            Amy put her hands to her face and began to cry.

            “Father, please, please don’t be mad at me. I’m sorry, I’m so sorry,” Amy sobbed.

            “Sorry for what?” What the hell are you talking about? What are you trying to tell me?” he asked in a loud voice.

            Amy continued to cry.

            He reached across the table, grabbed her wrist and forced her hand away from her face, “Am I going to have to shake it out of you? Now you tell me - what’s going on?”

            Gasping for breath, crying almost uncontrollable, Amy blared out, “Oh, Father, I’m pregnant!” she then wrenched her hand from his, stood up and backed against the counter. 

            Bland sat silent, then parroted Amy words in disbelief, “Pregnant? You’re pregnant? You’re going to have a child?” he asked as he slowly turned an anguished stare toward her.

            Amy stood in fear, unable to respond.

            His expression quickly changed from disbelief to anger. Yelling out at her, he said, “I knew it, sooner or later it had to happen.” He rose, grabbed her by the shoulders and began shaking her furiously while screaming at her, “Do you know what you’ve done? Do you know what the hell you’ve done!” Amy’s hands went back, knocking a bowl of flour from the counter.

            “Please Father, I’m sorry,” Amy screamed as she tried to get free of his grasp.

            With all his force, he threw her across the kitchen. She lost her balance, tripped and fell to the floor as she hit the wall. As she did, a rack of spices fell on top of her. She put her hands to her head as the bottles and wooden rack fell over her, spreading broken glass and colored spices in all directions across the kitchen, increasing her father’s anger. She looked up and saw him approaching. He stepped through the broken glass, kicking the wooden rack to the other wall. Then with a snap, he jerked his belt from around his waist.