Free Fated by Nicole Tetterton

months ago. They came down for whatever reason and Mar had invited us all over, you see I manage to do really well with parents… except for my dad.” He smiles, “I knew that he liked me, and thought that if I came over then maybe he wouldn’t give you so much crap.”
    “How did you know he would give me shit?”
    “Because I’ve met him before, I just didn’t realize he would be like this to you.” he smiles, but it’s a sad smile. We walk out of the table and sit down, Austin sitting right next to me. I don’t say a word for some time, not wanting the conversation to verve to me and my screw ups. It doesn’t take long though before my loving father looks to me.
    “So, Austin you are representing Sophie in her latest fiasco, how is that going?”
    “Well John, I can’t really talk about that, seeing as it is confidential.” I look down because I can’t help but smile as my dad scoffs.
    “Soph, what happened to Joe? We liked him. It’s a shame that you ran him off.” I knew that Mar hadn’t told him what had happened, and it shouldn’t surprise me that he thought it was my fault we weren’t together anymore. I don’t say anything just set my fork down on my plate as my mother scolds him for saying it as he did. “What I mean, I shouldn’t be surprised Barb, she never could keep a man that was decent in any sort.” I feel Austin’s hand wrap around mine and he squeezes it several times as if telling me when to breathe. I feel the tears stinging at my eyes and I watch Mar’s sad expression look at me, as the corners of my mouth turn down. “So, Sophie, what did you do this time?” His tone is even harsher than it was at first.
    “John, don’t.” I hear Austin say next to me.
    “What are you standing up for her now, after the work that she has managed making for you to do.” His voice seems to rise with every word, but I know it’s not directed at Austin, it’s solely directed at me.
    “I don’t mind, really.”
    “What are you even in trouble for, Sophie?” He pauses looking to me along with everyone else, I know that I won’t be able to get out of this one, “Huh, what is it?” he is yelling now.
    “Aggravated assault, along with a couple other things.” He laughs at me now.
    “Oh course you are. Is that why Joe left you?”
    “John, don’t.” I hear Austin say again before the anger begins to coil up inside of me and I interrupt him.
    “You want to know what happened.” I look at him raising my voice, emotionless, “After I lost my business, my apartment, when I had to move in with him, that fucking useless piece of shit.” I hear my mother gasp at my use of profanity. “He came home that night after I locked the store for the last time, didn’t realize that I was already there. Well he came home with his girlfriend, who he was with before he even met me. I heard them talking, talking about how he was planning on marrying me just so he could divorce me and take everything that I had worked hard for. It was their plan from the beginning. So you want him to be around good go fucking find him, maybe then you can find someone to be proud of because I have never been able to do it for you.” I say tossing my fork onto my plate, getting up from the table, and stalking off down the beachfront. I’m standing far enough away from the house when I feel hands on my arms and I look over seeing Austin standing there.
    “Is he always like that way towards you?” I see the sad look in his eyes.
    “Since I can remember, Mar was always their favorite” I look down at my feet.
    “I’m sorry,” he says pausing, “I wasn’t sure if I was going to be able to catch up to you.”
    “Well,” I say trying to stay mad at the scene that had taken place, “I quickly realize that you can’t walk down the beach pissed.”
    “Is it too beautiful to stay mad?” He says sarcastically and I force myself to not crack a smile.
    “No, it’s more like, you can’t stomp in the sand.”