Pam took care of everything. And for days, I didn't have to lift a muscle but I felt bad having her do everything in the house so I took the plates downstairs and wash them in the sink. She was on the phone with her boys so she didn't see me coming.
I wasn't blind. I wasn't living under a rock. I knew who my stepbrothers were. Logan and Jake Paul. I don't know them. I've only seen them once but I was a little girl then. I'm 18 now.
"I know, honey," Pam said. "yeah, I will be there. She is coming with me." A pause. "well because she deserves a chance, Logan," she said. Another pause. "I know you don't like them. I know you never liked them but they have done nothing wrong, honey. She was only a baby like you. She is just like you."
I heard Logan shouted something back and Pam sigh. When she saw me, her face went pale.
"Logan, I'll call you back," she said.
I walked away before she could say anything. They boys didn't like our family. They might accept our dad because their mother loves him but we were extras. We were a burden to them. Maybe because they were rich and famous now, they think we will leech their wealth or use them for fame. I went back to the room and stare straight into high school Logan's eyes. Great. He is everywhere. I took the portrait and set it face down on the table. Pam knocked the door and walked in.
"I'm sorry. The boys need some time to warm up," she said.
"I'll leave if it's trouble," I said.
"Oh no," she shook her head vigorously.
"What's going on?" dad walked in.
Pam explained and he looked at me with pity. I hated it.
"We want to take care of you," he said.
"I don't need you to take care of me. I never did so you don't have to start now," I said.
Dad looked like I've punched him in the face.
"I know I was never there for you," he started. "I am sorry but I want to make up for it," he said.
"You choose the boys," I started. I had two brothers. Dad took them while mom had me. They picked and choose who gets to stay with them like we were furniture. He left me with her. "You choose them and you left me!" I said. "I cried for you to take me but you didn't."
"I couldn't," he said. "your mom pushed for it. I fought for you."
"You should have fought harder," I growled between my teeth. I felt my palms wet and realized they were blood. Damn it.
"Come here," Pam said and reached for my hand but I backed away.
"You think this is the first time I bleed? She has been abusing me for years, dad. I took care of my own wounds," I said.
"Honey, calm down," dad said. "I know I was wrong. I am really sorry. Let me take care of you now. You don't have to worry about anything. I'll help you."
"How? You can't repair my broken childhood, dad," I said.
"Tell me what she did to you," he said.
I looked at both of them. I wanted to trust them but trust was an issue. I wanted to lean onto them and feel safe but protection was not what I needed.
Family was what I was starving for.
When they realized I wasn't going to say anything, he let it go.
"Have some sleep darling," Pam said. I saw tears in her eyes and I felt an instant regret up my throat. Great, Thea. Push everyone away and burn down the bridge. I wanted to apologize when words chocked in my throat. They shut the door behind them and I went back to staring at the empty space, empty room, empty ceiling.