When my father’s new wife kicked me out of my room and into the shed, I thought I’d hit rock bottom. But Mom’s surprise visit and shocking revelation about the house turned everything upside down, leaving me to wonder if I’d ever feel at home with Dad again.
I arrived at Dad’s house with a knot in my stomach. Something felt off. Kim, my stepmom, opened the door with a fake smile.
“Michelle, honey, come in,” she said, her voice sickeningly sweet.
I stepped inside, dragging my suitcase. Sam and Leo, my college-age step brothers, lounged on the couch, barely acknowledging me. They were both glued to their shiny new laptops – the same ones Dad said he couldn’t afford to buy for me.
We rode in silence for a while. Then I asked, “What happens now?”
Mom sighed. “That’s up to you, honey. If you want to keep visiting your dad, we’ll make sure things change. If you don’t, that’s okay too.”
I thought about it. “I think… I think I want to try. But only if things are different.”
“They will be,” Mom assured me. “Your father may be an idiot sometimes, but he loves you. He just needed a wake-up call.”
Over the next week, I stayed with Mom. Dad called every day, apologizing profusely. He promised things would be different, that he’d make it up to me.
Finally, I agreed to go back for a visit. As we pulled up to the house, I saw Dad waiting on the porch.
“Ready?” Mom asked, squeezing my hand.
I took a deep breath. “Ready.”
Dad met us at the car. “Michelle, I’m so sorry,” he began.
I cut him off. “Actions speak louder than words, Dad.”
He nodded, looking chastened. “I know. Come inside, please?”
We followed him in. The house was quiet – no sign of Kim or the boys.
“Where is everyone?” I asked.
“I asked them to give us some space,” Dad explained. “We need to talk.”
We sat in the living room, the tension palpable.
Dad cleared his throat. “Michelle, I messed up. Big time. I got so caught up in trying to make Kim and her boys happy that I forgot what was really important.”
“Me,” I said quietly.
He nodded, his eyes glistening. “You. My daughter. The most important person in my life.”
“Doesn’t feel like it lately,” I muttered.
Dad winced. “I know. I’ve been a terrible father. But I want to make it right. If you’ll let me.”
I glanced at Mom, who nodded encouragingly.
“What about Kim and the boys?” I asked.
“They know things have to change,” Dad said firmly. “Your room is yours, always. And I’ve made it clear that you’re my priority.”
“And the laptop?” I couldn’t help asking.
Dad smiled sheepishly. “It’s in your room. Along with an apology letter from Sam and Leo.”
I felt a glimmer of hope. “Really?”
“Really,” Dad confirmed. “And I was hoping… maybe we could still do that lake trip? Just the two of us?”
I hesitated, then nodded. “I’d like that.”
Dad’s face lit up. He opened his arms, and after a moment, I stepped into his embrace.
It wasn’t perfect. There was still a lot to work through. But it was a start.
As we hugged, I caught Mom’s eye over Dad’s shoulder. She smiled, giving me a thumbs up. I knew then that no matter what happened, I had people in my corner. And I’d never sleep in a shed again.
What would you have done?
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