Backdated to Easter

Keeping as much distance between the family and herself was one of Ildri’s key goals in life ever since she finally managed to secure that first morsel of freedom. Sure, what she had at the moment was a faint taste of freedom. So much still rode on her parents willingness to deal with her and fund her wants. Truthfully, if it wasn’t for her parents forking out the cash she needed for school and her apartment, Violane had no doubt that the little bit of freedom she had wouldn’t even exist. Perhaps she would have found the strength to just break those ties herself and walk out leaving herself with absolutely nothing to her name, but that path wasn’t one she needed to cross.

As such, she needed to pay her dues. So, with the Easter holiday she received the obligatory invitation home for dinner. As much as she loathed the idea of going home, she needed to play the game.

To a certain degree.

So, she arrived at her parents estate outside of Destiny City. She’d not bothered to dress up in a fancy Easter dress that she knew her mother would expect. Instead she compromised with a pair of black dress slacks she used for recitals and a V-neck three quarter length, bell sleeved shirt in a deep red. Sure, it didn’t screen Easter but at least it was better than her usual ripped, skin-tight jeans and cropped tanks. Of course the look of absolute disapproval met her when her mother saw her. “Hello, Mother.” She said evenly as the woman’s disapproving stare looked her over from top to bottom.

“Hello, Ildri. Why didn’t you tell me you didn’t have anything appropriate to wear? I could have had a dress sent to you.” The fair-haired woman said. “Something that complimented you, of course.”

Which, as Ildri heard it, was a backhanded comment that she hated what her daughter had come in. Instead she would have liked Ildri to wear a sunshine yellow dress like herself. It made Ildri want to puke. But, she needed to play nice today. So, she smiled at her mother. “It’s alright. I, prefer to wear slacks, anyway. Though I am sure you would have picked out something nice.”

Her mother visibly loosened up and returned the smile, though tight. “Well, next time I’ll just send something over ahead.”

OK. Perfect. One parent taken care of. They were much easier to deal with when separated. Mother just needed to have her emotions stroked and eased, to think she still had a modicum of control over her daughter. What helped the white-haired woman was the fact her younger sister was quite willing to be that perfect child that Ildri no longer had any interest in being. Yaris was perfect for soothing hurting egos.

Turning to head into the dining room, Janice, her mother, stopped and turned back to Ildri. “Oh, and your sister won’t be here today. She had some urgent business come up at work.” the older woman sighed dramatically “I can’t believe people can’t give themselves one day off for important holidays like this.” Turning to head back to the kitchen, heels clicking Ildri just stood there before cursing softly under her breath. Perfect, now the decoy wasn’t even going to be there.

Relenting, Ildri followed her mother into the dining room. The table, normally set for four, was set for 3 and no expenses had been wasted even though it was just the family. A pristine linen tablecloth was the basis for the whole decor set-up. White plates and napkins also followed suit. Candles were set up and burning while a vase of yellow flower of some sort (Ildri had never much cared for plants) played well off of her mother’s dress. Yep. That wasn’t planned. Ildri had to keep herself from rolling her eyes.

Waiting at the table for her was her father who at least looked pleased to see his older daughter, but Ildri wasn’t ever sure. His temper had always been flighty. Still her rose when his wife and daughter approached and walked over to Ildri to give her a kiss on her cheek. “Ildri. Good to see you. Glad you could make it and in such…” He paused looking at her clothing. “Festive wear.” He cleared his throat and gestured for the two women to sit before following suit.

Ildri heaved a heavy sigh. The game plan was to appease them and get the ******** out as soon as dinner was over. As long as the conversations stayed safe and unobtrusive all would be well. She had planned a few conversations to try and keep things light and away from anything personal.

“So, Ildri.” Her father said. “How is school going for you? I imagine your grades are ideal with that major of yours. Can’t imagine anyone could do poorly.”

And so began the slights. Damn, couldn’t he even wait for dinner to begin for starting the jabs. Taking a sip of the water in front of her, she offered a force smile. “Grades are good. I am expecting to be on the dean's list again.”

A grunt was her response to that. Of course, they wouldn’t recognize her good work, just pass it on by like it’s nothing special. What had she expected? Especially after the opening comment.

And that was how the conversation was set to go. Her mother also joined in on berating her, or making small jabs at her. Constantly picking away at her. Remarks about her hair, more about her clothing, he choice of roommates, living in an apartment and not on campus, and her Violin work. There was always, always a hit about her violin playing. It never did go without notice.

While she picked at the remaining bits of ham left on her plate, her mother looked up from her own food and took a sip of wine and smiled at her daughter. “So, are you still enjoying playing?” She questioned. “You know I never thought you’d take to the instrument like you did. I thought, at most, it would be a way for you to pass time as a child.” Placing her wine glass down the woman practically sniffed. “If I had known that you would have thrown everything away to pursue it I would have nipped that problem in the bud and enrolled you into something more useful for you to latch onto.”

Biting her lip to keep a nasty comment from flying from then, ildri put down her fork and looked up at her mother. “Yes, I still enjoy playing it. I actually look forward to playing it everyday whether in practice, class or a recital.” She remarked. “So sorry I latched onto the one thing you would have rathered I’d not become attached to. That’s what happens when you try and dictate someone’s life though.”

“Hey, Ildri. Don't talk to your mother that way.” the scolding came from her father and Ildri practically glared over the flowers at him. “She was only commenting on what she felt was right for you and how she had failed to push you towards something that was more acceptable.”

Pushing her chair out from underneath her, Ildri rose. “I am so sorry that I am not Yaris.” She said, working to hold herself back. Burning brides would not be the most ideal for her at the moment considering she had another year of college left to go. “I am sorry I didn’t turn into the perfect child you wanted me to be, but cant you, for once, be happy that I am happy? Or is that too much to ask?

“Honey, sit down. Of course we want you to be happy but we just want you to do something that’s actually worth pursuing. To make something of yourself. Not be some homeless, moneyless and nameless musician” Janice’s voice quickly increased as she put on a distressed act. Fake tears were obviously the next move. Another typical way to illicit the response she wanted from her daughter. Or, what she use to get.

“Wow. So you’re saying you don’t think I am good enough. Nice to know considering how ‘amazing’” she used air quotes to emphasis amazing, “my teachers were when I grew up. Maybe that’s a failure on your part, Mother.” She hissed out.

“That’s enough!” Her Father yelled as he slammed his hand on the table. “I will not have you talk to your mother that way. Now apologize.”

“I will not. I am saying how I feel and what I think about this whole shitty situation.” Ildri retorted.

Facing growing red Ildri could tell her father was reaching a breaking point. “Shitty situation?” He hissed as he rose, leaning on the table so he could better direct his ire at his daughter. “You realize your Mother and I are tolerating this wild fancy of yours for now. That you are expected to, and will finish out this non-sense degree of yours and go for a masters in something worthwhile. Something useful.” He was seething at that point, barely keeping it in if his stare was anything to go off of. Of course, Ildri could match that look with one of her own. “We are the ones paying for this and if we decide to stop, we will. Your future relies on us. No one else. Without us you would be doing nothing!” He hollered.

Staring the man in the face Ildri practically growled. “Well ******** lucky me. Guess I have no choice then.” By this point the young woman had pushed her chair back under the table while her hands went white knuckled as she did her damn best to not just scream everything that pissed her off about them. About every wrong they did to her. That surely would result in her being cut off. Especially with her father’s temper. Instead, she took several deep breaths before pushing away from the chair and turning to leave.

“Get back here right now. We are not done!” Her father hollered again at her. “I am not done talking to you!”

Ildri stopped and looked at him. “Well I am done listening. Happy Easter.” She ground out between clenched teeth before practically rushing out of the house with her father still yelling at her as she slammed the front door shut. She didn’t stop though. She didn’t stop until she was several blocks away and nearing the bus station, her temper still flared and ********. Why can’t this s**t ever go ******** right.” She cursed as she ran a hand through her hair. It was times like these she wished she could show her parents what it was like to be on the opposite side of the playing field. How terrible and hopeless it could make someone feel to be the one that is always put down. She wanted that power, she wanted that strength to take control of her life and of theirs and just put them through the amount of torment that she had been put through her entire life while growing up.

Her phone began ringing. She pulled it from her pocket and cursed when she saw the number. Of course they couldn’t just let it be. Nope, they wanted to yell at her some more. “******** you.” She said as she hit the ignore button and deposited the device back into her pocket with an angry shove.

Finally the bus rolled up and Ildri couldn’t help be want to be as far away from the area as fast as possible. The driver barely had the doors open before she was practically bounding into the bus, showing her pass and heading to the back. There she flopped herself down with a sigh and rested her head against the headrest with a heavy sigh. Just one more year. Just one more year of all of this bullshit and she would finally have a degree and be able to strike out on her own. No more of the quasi-like freedom she had now. She’d be able to do what she wanted, when she wanted, and not have to play nice for others just because they expected it of her.

The bus pulled away just as ildri finished that thought a small smile on her face as she continued to entertain that joyful train of thought.

WC: 2080