Day 53

I rebelled. I said goodbye to my mom Christina, who had time to drop me off and I waved like everything was normal.

Even though the first day I rebelled I felt a tightness in my chest. When I told Kyle about the tightness in my chest, he stared at me and my chest before saying, "It must be heartburn instead of guilt, Renata. Don't overthink it."

In turn, I gave him his birthday card for his 53rd birthday.

"Your daughter is going to be 18. She's only been arrested once, has never been pregnant despite her colorful dating history, and has been accepted to a good community college. Personally, you could be prouder but you don't want to push your luck." Kyle smirked as he closed his Birthday card. "I'm super proud of my daughter."

"Oh, how so?"

"Because Persephone and Harley are both true to themselves. They don't listen to everything I, their father, have to say and that means they're individuals." Kyle's smug smile made me frown.

"Or they're monkeys game for anarchy," I replied. "Do you want them to start a revolution or something?"

Kyle raised his brow as he pointedly told me, "The generations worth talking about started revolutions."

"Oh, not necessarily. I think there's much to be thankful for Generation X."

"In regards to hot soap opera stars and the creation of early pop and metal rock I couldn't agree more. However, Generation X is better known for reaping what their parents Baby Boomers, have sown." Kyle happily sighed as he finished making his point and just stared at me. "I'm glad you came back by the way, grasshopper."

"You have an answer for everything don't you?" I asked him. "And an unlimited box of nicknames... I'll think up a good one for you."

"Oh Renata, I thought you never would," said Kyle as he placed a hand delicately on his heart and genuinely smiled, making my heart jump.