The Monster

Growing up in my house was a treat.

As a bookish, introverted child, I guess you could say my attention to day-to-day events tended to vary.

Moving on, I was a daddy's girl until I hit puberty.

He would push, I would resist, he would push, I would resist, and the cycle went on.

Thing is, I wasn't a bad kid.

I made all A's, never did drugs, had maybe a handful of boyfriends.

But trust was never there.

My father called the school, my teachers, to ensure I was where I was supposed to be.

Wouldn't let me go to parties, football games, anywhere without adult supervision.

It broke my heart, because I thought I was doing everything right, and he still hated me.

Blamed me for things that I had no control over.

"You're selfish," was a phrase I heard on the regular.

I cried more than I didn't for quite a while.

Resentment built, and over time, it came to a head.

My father and I, had a fight.

One of many, but this one was worse, in the way that he called me the worst thing I've ever heard a parent tell their kid:

"You're a fucking monster."

Oh god, of course, I thought in the moment.

Today, I know what I am.

And my father's daughter is not it.

***

I made this challenge because I was curious to know about this moment in other's lives. Mine was one that will follow me like dark smoke in sad moments, but I'm lucky to have come so far in waving it away. To everyone who's participated, thank you for sharing.