The Good Daughter by Amra Pajalic Read Free Book Online Page B

Kathleen had been to a Pink concert, they’d ground her for all eternity.
    â€˜She slept at my place.’ I beamed at Shelley. Despite my other issues with Mum, she was the coolest parent of the group. Whenever we did something that Kathleen’s parents didn’t approve of, she slept over at my place.
    â€˜I didn’t know.’ Kathleen put her hand on Shelley’s. ‘It was a surprise present.’
    â€˜That’s okay…’ Shelley took a deep breath, pretending she was holding back tears. ‘The only thing that matters is that you had a great birthday. Excuse me.’ As she stood to leave there were tears glistening on her cheeks. Shit, maybe she really was crying?
    â€˜Why did you have to be such a bitch?’ Kathleen hissed at me after Shelley had gone to the bathroom.
    â€˜She started it,’ I muttered. ‘She was making fun of my birthday present.’
    â€˜You know she didn’t mean anything by it,’ Kathleen said. ‘She does that to make herself feel better about not living with her mum.’
    â€˜I’m sick of it,’ I said. It was always about poor Shelley. There was always a drama going on that demanded Kathleen’s attention. I had problems too, but you didn’t hear me going on about them twenty-four seven.
    â€˜I’m sick of this .’ Kathleen got up and followed Shelley.
    My stomach dropped. I knew that I gave Kathleen the shits by arguing with Shelley all the time, but I’d never seen her so pissed off. ‘I’ll come with you.’ I stood.
    â€˜Really?’ Kathleen said, that one word imbued with suspicion as we faced off.
    â€˜I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have let her get to me.’
    â€˜It’s Shelley you need to apologise to,’ Kathleen said, as she marched past the staring waiters. I was nodding and looking at the ground as I trailed behind her.
    We found Shelley in the toilets dabbing her face with a wet paper towel. ‘Are you okay?’ Kathleen asked, putting her arm around her.
    â€˜I’m fine,’ Shelley gasped. ‘Things at home are getting to me.’ She jammed her asthma puffer into her open mouth.
    I restrained myself from dry retching. Kathleen hugged her. I wanted to scream in frustration. She always bought Shelley’s stories hook, line and sinker. I mean, grow up. Shit happens. Deal with it and shut up.
    â€˜Listen Shelley—’ I had to swallow as the apology choked in my throat. ‘I’m sorry about before,’ I finally managed.
    â€˜Thanks.’ Shelley turned back to Kathleen. ‘It’s getting worse at home.’
    I wanted to strangle the cow. I apologised and all she had to say was thanks. What about her freaking apology to me? She was mean to me first. Kathleen glanced at me. I arranged my face to show appropriate concern.
    â€˜What’s going on at home?’ I asked. Now Kathleen couldn’t say I wasn’t being friendly to the skank.
    â€˜Dad says he wants me to go and live with my Mum,’ Shelley said.
    â€˜Let’s talk about it.’ Kathleen ushered Shelley to the door. I needed to go to the toilet but if I didn’t go with them Kathleen would have another reason to be pissed off. ‘Are you sure he really means that?’ Kathleen asked when we were back at the table.
    Shelley wiped her face. ‘Since Alana’s been there, he’s been saying it more and more.’
    Her father’s girlfriend had moved in a few months before and things had been bumpy ever since. Shelley’s dad was spending a lot of time with his girlfriend’s daughter and Shelley felt left out.
    â€˜Maybe he’s under stress from the changes,’ Kathleen said.
    â€˜I don’t know,’ Shelley said. ‘But I can’t go back to Mum’s.’
    Every second weekend Shelley and her sister stayed over at one of their parents together. ‘Why not?’ I asked.
    â€˜When I