“No, you don’t. You haven’t lived here for years,” her dad replied.
“C’mon Dad! Don’t kid with me,” Rachel said. “Can I come in now?”
“Why do you want to come in?” her dad asked.
“Because I LIVE HERE!” she said, in a booming voice. “What do you want me to do pitch a tent in the lawn and stay outside?”
Her dad laughed and cracked a smile. “I guess you can come inside.”
“I’m going up to my room,” Rachel said.
“Well…it’s not exactly your room anymore,” her dad said.
Rachel had no idea what he was talking about. She couldn’t understand it. She was gone for one night and he cleared out her bedroom. What was he talking about?
“What do you mean? I was here yesterday,” Rachel said.
“Rachel, are you Ok? What happened to you?” her dad asked.
She knew he’d eventually ask her about last night. She was surprised he wasn’t angrier though. It was almost as if he didn’t realize she’d gone out.
“I’m sorry. I know I should have called, or texted. It won’t happen again. I promise,” Rachel said shamefully.
“Huh?” her dad said. “What are you talking about?”
“Oh,” Rachel said. “I thought you were asking about last night.”
“Last night?” her dad said.
“Yeah, I’m sorry I stayed out all night. It’s totally out of character and I’m sorry. I hope you and mom weren’t too worried about me. I didn’t mean it,” Rachel said again.
She waited for a response from her dad, but didn’t get anything but a blank, confused stare.
“Ok, I’m coming in, Dad,” Rachel said, as she scooted by him in the doorway.
She was taken back a little bit at the changes in the house. She was surprised, but figured her mom went through one of her re-decorating frenzies last night and changed things around while she was out. There was no other explanation she could think of.
On her way up the stairs to her room, she could hear her father’s footsteps trailing behind her. Why was he following her? She wondered.
As she came to her door, it was closed shut. The sign on her door that said Rachel’s Room was taken down and the nail hole closed up.
“Huh?” she said out loud.
She turned the brass handle to her door and opened it, surprised by what she saw.
“Dad! What’s going on?” Rachel yelled. “Where’s all my stuff?”
“Rachel, I was trying to explain that to you before. You don’t live here anymore,” her dad responded.
“Dad, seriously. What did you guys do with it? Where’s Mom? I need to talk to her about this. It’s one thing to go and change up the downstairs or your bedroom, but why did she have to change mine?” Rachel questioned angrily.
“Rachel, you haven’t lived here in two years. What do you expect?” her dad said.
“Two years!” Rachel yelled. “Why do you keep saying that?”
“Remember Bedford? Remember how you disappeared this past year? Remember you HATE us?” her dad said.
Rachel looked at him in surprise. She had no idea what he was going on about. Was everyone crazy today? She thought. If they weren’t crazy than she must be going mad.
“Ok, seriously. This isn’t funny. Where did you put all my stuff?” Rachel said. “Is this some sort of prank? April fools joke? Speaking of which, what day is it?”
“It’s December 1st,” her dad replied. “It’s been a long time, Rachel. A really long time. I’m surprised you came back to us.”
“Well, I’m back. I don’t know what you’re talking about, but I want to put my room back together. Where’d you put my things?” Rachel asked.
“Um…they’re in the garage. But why are you going to put your room back together. You can’t stay here!” her dad said, sternly.
“What do you mean I can’t stay here? Where do you think I should go then?” Rachel questioned.
“I don’t know. Where have you been living this past year? Why don’t you go back there? You’re probably more welcome there than here. After all we’ve been through you don’t seriously think you can just march back in here as if nothing happened, do you?” her dad remarked.
“All you’ve been through? It was ONE NIGHT! Don’t get all worked up over it. You’re completely blowing this whole thing out of proportion,” Rachel said, letting out a little laugh. “You and Mom are so dramatic! Where’s Mom anyway?”
“She’s not here,” her father said.
“Where’d she go? The store?” Rachel asked.
“I told you the other day where she was. Don’t pretend you don’t know,” her dad said.
“Is she on vacation?” Rachel said. “The other day? I don’t remember her leaving.”
Rachel felt her dad’s hand touch her forehead, “You’re not well,” he said. “You should get some rest. We can talk about this when you wake up.”
“I feel fine, Dad. Completely fine. The only thing that’s bothering me is you telling me that I don’t live here and that I can’t stay in my own house. I think you’re the sick one here, not me!”
“Listen, Rachel,” her dad said. “I’ll let you stay here under one condition.”
She looked back at him in awe, what was he even suggesting? Was there another option to not staying here? Was he kicking her out?
“What’s that, Dad?” Rachel remarked.
“You need to see a shrink,” he said, in a serious tone. “You need to work out these issues if you are going to live under my roof.”
“A shrink?” Rachel questioned with a laugh.
“Yes, a shrink. A therapist. It’s clear it’s what has to happen. We have to get to the bottom of this,” her dad said.
“Um.. OK dad, whatever you say!” Rachel said, assuming he was joking.
“I’m not kidding. You either agree to it or you’re outta here,” he said.
“Ok, fine. I’ll go. Whatever you want, Dad,” Rachel said.
“All right, I’ll set up an appointment for you with Dr. Goldman, he’ll be the perfect person to help you through this. You’re mother saw him before she was admitted. And he still visits her now, talks to her, you know?” her dad said.