HT100 Challenge 132 - Women of Oz - Breaking the Routine - Holly Beecher
Holly Beecher, post-series
“Can you come over this weekend?” Shannon asks.
“I'd like to, but I have to go to my dad's,” Holly replies.
“Ugh. Divorced parents are the worst. Well, maybe next weekend.”
Holly doesn't bother to correct her friend, doesn't say that there are worse things than having divorced parents. She just says, “Yeah, maybe,” even though she knows that when next weekend rolls around, she'll have to figure out another excuse.
She's got her own routines- Grandmother wouldn't have it any other way. Monday through Friday starts with a healthy breakfast, then it's off to school, where no one other than Grandmother drives her there and picks her up. That's followed by dinner, homework, and, if she's lucky, a couple hours in front of the television or computer before bed. Saturday is when she sees Doctor Eldridge. Sometimes after the appointment, Grandmother will take her shopping. Sunday is church and then a trip to the prison to see her dad, where he asks about her week as though she'll have something new and different to say.
This week she does have something new and different, but she leaves it until their visiting time is almost done.
“I'm going to have a sleepover with my friend Shannon next weekend,” she declares.
Her dad's eyes fill with surprise and hurt. Holly doesn't have to turn around to know that Grandmother has that pinched look on her face, like she gets whenever Holly tries to upset the routine.
“That sounds great,” he says, holding his arms out to her. She goes willingly. She can't believe he's given her permission. “I'll hope you tell me all about it the next time you visit.”
“Oh, I will!” She feels lighter all of a sudden, as if she's been granted her own parole. She hugs her dad a little tighter and tells him she loves him. He kisses her hair and whispers to her to be safe.
“I will, Dad,” she promises. “See you in a couple weeks.”
“Can you come over this weekend?” Shannon asks.
“I'd like to, but I have to go to my dad's,” Holly replies.
“Ugh. Divorced parents are the worst. Well, maybe next weekend.”
Holly doesn't bother to correct her friend, doesn't say that there are worse things than having divorced parents. She just says, “Yeah, maybe,” even though she knows that when next weekend rolls around, she'll have to figure out another excuse.
She's got her own routines- Grandmother wouldn't have it any other way. Monday through Friday starts with a healthy breakfast, then it's off to school, where no one other than Grandmother drives her there and picks her up. That's followed by dinner, homework, and, if she's lucky, a couple hours in front of the television or computer before bed. Saturday is when she sees Doctor Eldridge. Sometimes after the appointment, Grandmother will take her shopping. Sunday is church and then a trip to the prison to see her dad, where he asks about her week as though she'll have something new and different to say.
This week she does have something new and different, but she leaves it until their visiting time is almost done.
“I'm going to have a sleepover with my friend Shannon next weekend,” she declares.
Her dad's eyes fill with surprise and hurt. Holly doesn't have to turn around to know that Grandmother has that pinched look on her face, like she gets whenever Holly tries to upset the routine.
“That sounds great,” he says, holding his arms out to her. She goes willingly. She can't believe he's given her permission. “I'll hope you tell me all about it the next time you visit.”
“Oh, I will!” She feels lighter all of a sudden, as if she's been granted her own parole. She hugs her dad a little tighter and tells him she loves him. He kisses her hair and whispers to her to be safe.
“I will, Dad,” she promises. “See you in a couple weeks.”