"Well...I've decided I'm going to Florida, to find my dad," I said.
My mom was putting the food down on the table and as soon as I said that she looked up and stared blankly at me.
"What did you say?" she asked.
"I'm going to Florida. I know you don't want me to go Mom, but I have to. I mean, I'm going to be 18 tomorrow and you won't tell me anything, so I'm going to find out everything for myself," I said, carefully, not wanting her to get too mad.
She tried to protest but I stopped her. "Mom, I have to do this. I know you're mad but you have to understand..."
"No Jessica, I don't have to understand. You are not going. I forbid you." This whole time Tom was staring at both of us in disbelief.
"Yes, mother," I started and by now I was raging mad. "I'm going to be 18 damn years old tomorrow and I'm going. And don't try to stop me," I said through gritted teeth and ran out of the kitchen, up the stairs and into my room slamming the door.
I sat down on my bed and started crying. I didn't know what to do, but I knew I couldn't stay here. I grabbed my phone and called my friend, Melanie.
"Hello?" she answered in a cheerful tone.
"Mel, it's me...um...can I co..come...o..over," I said, sobbing.
"Jess? Why are you crying? What happened?" she said as her tone changed from happy to concered.
"I'll...I'll tell you....when...when I get...th...there," I said.
"Ok," she said as we both hung up.
I dragged my suitcase out from under my bed and started throwing things in. I didn't know how long I'd be gone so I packed a lot of stuff. I grabbed my keys off of my dresser and headed out the door, but before I did, I took a final look around my room, turned off the light and shut my door quietly. I walked out the front door, glanced back at the house, but reminded myself I can't let her control me anymore.
I hopped in my car and sped to Melanie's. I got there in about 5 minutes...when it usually takes 10.
I got out of the car and she ran to me and gave me a hug. Melanie knows when to talk and when not to, and she doesn't force things.
"Do you wanna talk about it?" she asked.
"Yeah," I said as we walked into her house and to her room.
I explained what happened and she asked, "So, what are you going to do?"
I took a deep breath and said, "I'm going to Florida. And she isn't going to stop me."
"Good for you girl! Now, let's stop being all sad and having a pity party and let's go make some popcorn and watch a movie!" Melanie said.
I smiled. "Let's go!"
