Dad Turned Fifty, I Turned To Ice novel

were purple , my skin deathly pale . I drifted out of the storage room . The banquet in the yard was winding down . Dad , his face flushed , was seeing guests off at the door . An uncle clapped him on the shoulder . " Bill , it hasn't been an easy ten years . Walking away from that thriving shack for your girl ... " Dad let out a short laugh , brushing it off with a wave of his hand . " Ah , water under the bridge . Amelia's getting older . Who knows ? In another year or two , we might just fire up the grills again . " I drifted back to the living room .

My sister Emily and her childhood friend Sophia were clearing the dishes . " Where's your sister ? I haven't seen her , " Sophia asked softly . Emily glanced around , confirmed I wasn't there , and leaned closer to Sophia . " Who knows ? Probably off somewhere , playing the victim again . " Sophia paused . " The victim ? " A cold , sharp laugh escaped Emily . " You think it's that bad ? Get real . She's just used to being the center of our universe . One little thing doesn't go her way , and boom , total meltdown . That autism card ?

She knows exactly when to play it to get whatever she wants from all of us . " She grew more agitated . " One time , I was practicing piano in my room , so quiet , barely touching the keys , and she just storms in and slams the lid down . Almost took my fingers off . And guess what ? " " I had to apologize . Mom and Dad said I ' upset ' her . " Emily's voice dropped , bitter and tight . " Sometimes I seriously wonder ... is it really the noise she can't stand ? Or does she just love having us all walk on eggshells , waiting on her hand and foot ? " Sophia didn't know how to respond .

Emily wiped her tears . " Forget it . I shouldn't say anymore . At least Dad finally got to enjoy himself today . " Mom came out of the kitchen , saw Emily's red eyes , and instinctively lowered her voice . " What's wrong? " Emily shook her head . " Nothing . " Chapter 2 22.22 % Mom sighed . " Emily , honey , I know these years haven't been easy on you . But Amelia ... she doesn't choose this . She'd give anything not to be like this . ' Emily suddenly looked up . " Mom , do you honestly believe that ? She loves it . We all have to march to the beat of her drum .

All she has to do is give one look , and the whole house goes quiet . You really think she doesn't get off on that ? On having everyone at her beck and call? " Mom just stared , speechless . She opened her mouth to argue , to defend , something , but no words came out . In the end , she closed it and said nothing at all . I floated in mid - air , my heart cut to ribbons by my sister's words . I remembered that incident three years ago . I had slammed the piano lid . But it wasn't because of the sound .

It was because that day was particularly bad for me , and hearing the piano made me remember when Mom used to teach me to play . I had shattered . I didn't mean to hurt her ; I just lost control . But I couldn't explain . I even began to doubt myself . Was she right ? Was I really enjoying this feeling of being needed ? Watching them whisper even while complaining , a sudden , stark thought hit me , I was this family's " curse . " My death would be a good thing . 22.22 % admin