“I despise them! They irritate me so much!”

Marian persuaded me that I should reconcile with my father.

“Not just now, Marian!” says the narrator. “I still despise him!” When I remembered how my father had stopped me from following Dominic, I crumpled the paper in my fingers and balled my fist.

“It's been a few months since you haven't seen him; don't you think it's past time you forgive him?” He's already been through a lot!” She stated her case.

I opted to be obstinate, refusing to be swayed by her comments. I rubbed my palm over my growing baby tummy and reflected on the good times I spent...