Jen's Journal

Caitlin grabbed her sister’s hand as she got off the bus, and they walked home in the rain that started picking up. She picked Sophia up, covered her as best as she could, and ran two blocks home. Caitlin set her down when they got close enough. She noticed a baby blue corvette in their driveway as Sophia rushed inside. 

“Caitlin! What are you doing? Come inside it’s hailing out there!” her mother said from inside the house. 

“Coming!” Caitlin set her stuff down in the entryway and took one of the towels her mother had in her arms.

“How was school today?” Her mother asked.

“Long. Boring. Who’s car is in the driveway?” Caitlin asked.

“That would be mine. Hi, I’m Philip. It’s nice to finally meet you, Caitlin, I’ve heard so much about you!” He extended his hand out for her to shake and she intentionally crossed her arms to avoid it. 

He retreated his hand but kept a smile on his face, which annoyed Caitlin to no end. 

“So is this your new boyfriend I’m assuming?” 

“Let’s sit down for a minute.”

Sophia was already sitting on the couch with her shoes off. Caitlin took a seat next to her and stared at the ground as Philip and their mother joined them,

“I’d like you guys to formally meet Philip. We’ve been seeing each other for some time now and we both thought it was time for him to get to know you guys.” 

“Does dad know?” Caitlin asked.

“No, and quite frankly it’s none of his business.” 

This comment struck a nerve in Caitlin. She has not spoken to her father for weeks now because of her mother. She lifted her head to get a good look at the man who might be replacing her father. He was at least ten years younger than he was. His skin was golden brown and he had thick eyebrows, along with eyelashes that went on forever. The more she looked, the more uncomfortable she became. There was something in his eyes she couldn’t quite understand. They didn’t sparkle, there were no laugh lines. There was just pure emptiness; a black void she couldn’t look away from. 

“Is he our new daddy?” Sophia asked, finally bringing Catilin out of his gaze. 

“Of course not. He’s just going to be spending a lot of time around here. I would love for you guys to get to know him.” Their mother said, holding onto his hand. 

“Not gonna happen. Are we done?” Caitlin asked, getting off the couch with her arms still crossed. 

“For today, yes. He’s staying for dinner just so you know. Is that okay?” 

“Whatever. I lost my appetite. Can I go now?” 

Her mom’s shoulder slumped at this reaction but she excused her anyway. She figured this would take some time. 

*****

“Three months! It’s been three months since you met Philip. Why can’t you at least make an effort to get to know him?” Caitlin’s mother pleaded.

“I don’t feel like it,” Caitlin said. 

“He has done nothing but try and win over you girls. Sophia’s warming up to him. Are you seriously going to continue to be this difficult?” 

“I’m not being difficult! There’s just something about him I don’t like. I don’t have to explain myself.”

“Fine. Be that way. Will you be joining us for dinner tonight?”

Caitlin gave her answer by placing her headphones once again on her head. Her mother slammed the door shut behind her in hopes that Caitlin would hear. It’s been three months since they smiled at each other. Three months since Caitlin went to her mother for advice, for guidance, for anything. She knew she could make things easier on all of them if she just got along with Philip, but she refused to try. 

*****

“Sophia hurry up! We’re going to miss the bus!” Caitlin said, watching her sister shuffle her school bag and jacket. 

She looked back and watched the school bus drive away. Sophia whelped for the bus and kept her head down as they made the long trek home. Caitlin didn’t say anything. She helped Sophia get her blue raincoat on and they kept walking. 

About halfway through their walk, Caitlin noticed a baby blue corvette parked outside her mother’s friend’s house. She recognized the license plate, it was Philip’s car. There was no one inside it so she took Sophia’s hand and went up to the house. She came up to the window and, as she expected, or maybe hoped, Philip was kissing her mother’s friend. 

Caitlin felt her face get warm, not from blushing but from anger. She couldn’t believe what she was seeing. She didn’t think her mother would either, so she took a picture of them. Then she grabbed the lucky rabbit’s foot from inside her pocket and scratched his beloved corvette.