And she really liked the sound of that.
Dinner led to dessert and Haley took Eli and Asher to watch a movie while the adults cleaned up. The space was a little crowded for eight people all trying to help, but it was a fun kind of chaos.
Kyle came up behind her and wrapped his arms around her waist. “This was a good day,” he said softly against her ear. “I like having you here with my family.”
Smiling, she turned and kissed him. “And I like being here with them.”
“Well, as much as I love them, I’d also love to get going.” He took a small step back. “It feels like forever since we’ve had a chance to just hang out alone.”
“I know. But…we’re still not going to be alone when we get back to my place.” And she didn’t mean it to come out quite as sadly as it did, but…she couldn’t help it. There had to be a solution or at least some kind of balance for them. Perhaps that should be the topic at her next session with Teresa.
Over the next thirty minutes, everyone started to get ready to leave, and by the time Sydney and Haley had thanked everyone and said goodnight, it felt much longer.
“I’ll meet you at the house,” Kyle called out to them as they climbed into the car. He was smiling and she couldn’t help but smile back.
It wasn’t until she pulled out of the driveway that it all fell apart.
“Kyle’s not my dad,” Haley said heatedly, arms crossed over her chest.
“Um…okay,” she replied carefully. “I don’t think that’s what he’s trying to be, Haley.”
“Oh, please. ‘Spoken like a proud parent,’” she mocked with disgust. “And he went and recorded my meet? I mean…why? I’m not his daughter!”
Letting out a long, quiet breath, Sydney tried to organize her thoughts to try to defuse the situation rather than make it worse. “We thought you might like to see for yourself how great you did. All the other parents were doing it and…”
She knew her mistake immediately.
“You’re not my parents!” Haley cried, kicking at the dashboard. “God, don’t you get it? I don’t want you to be my mother! And I certainly don’t want Kyle to be my father! So if the two of you think you’re going to go and get married and we’re all going to be some stupid happy family, you’re wrong! I don’t want it! And you can’t force me to be a part of it! I’ll go and live with Grandma and Grandpa or even Janie before I let the two of you try to force a family on me!”
“Haley, no one’s forcing you…”
“Just stop!” she screamed. “Like I don’t know that you and Kyle want to get married and have kids of your own? And once you do that—have real kids—you’ll forget about me! So why don’t you just…just…go away and leave me alone! I’d rather live by myself or with my friends than with you and Kyle!”
She was near hysteria and sobbing so hard she couldn’t breathe, and Sydney had no idea what to do. They were ten minutes from home and she had no idea if she should pull the car over or keep driving.
Keep driving…
Yeah, that seemed safer because she had a feeling if she pulled over, Haley would simply bolt from the car and then that would lead to all kinds of other trouble.
“Haley, I…I’m sorry. I had no idea you felt this way.” She paused and did her best to stay calm and keep her tone soothing. “I thought today would be fun—to hang out with Kyle’s family.”
“You never came home to hang out with our family,” her niece replied hotly. “Do you know how many times my mom would say how much she wished you were here for a holiday or whatever kind of special event? But you never did.”
“I came to visit as much as I could, Haley,” she reasoned. “Your mom knew that there were times when I couldn’t afford to come and visit. My job didn’t pay very well and it just wasn’t easy.”
“Whatever. Funny how you’re finding time for all kinds of things now that my mom’s gone. You got a free house and a great job and you’re going to go to movie sets with famous people. And it will be so much easier for you if you didn’t have me,” she said miserably. “We both know I’m holding you back from this great life so…just let me go and live someplace else so you can play house with Kyle and do all the fabulous things you can’t do because you have to deal with me.”
“Okay, I get that you’re frustrated and…and maybe a little overwhelmed right now. So maybe we should call Teresa and plan on going to see her Monday and…”
“Yeah, I’m not doing that anymore. I hate going there and talking to her. It’s totally lame and you can’t make me go there either.” She turned and gave Sydney a look full of pure hatred. “You’re not my mother.”
Forcing herself to silently count to ten before she responded, Sydney kept her eyes on the road as she said, “I know I’m not your mom, Haley. But your mom asked me to be your guardian and take care of you. I thought going to therapy would be a good thing. For both of us.”
“Well, you’re wrong. Just like you’ve been wrong about so many things. You don’t understand what I need or what I want, and I just wish you’d go away. You and Kyle.”
“We’ll finish this discussion at home. You’re upset and I would rather us sit down and try to calmly talk about this.”
“No,” Haley said defiantly. “Because then Kyle will be there and he doesn’t belong.”
Oh, good Lord…
“I’ll call him and tell him not to come.”
“Good. Tell him he can never come back, because if he does, I’m leaving.”
“Haley…”
“Don’t try to tell me how to feel! I’m tired of everyone trying to tell me what I’m supposed to think and feel!”
With a curt nod, Sydney quietly agreed. “Okay. I’ll tell him. But then you and I have to talk. Calmly.”
“Whatever.”
The rest of the drive was spent in silence, and when they got home, Haley ran from the car and was in the house before Sydney even moved. Sighing wearily, she fished her phone out of her purse to call Kyle, but it was too late. He was already pulling into the driveway behind her.
Her limbs felt like lead as she climbed from the car and walked over to his truck. He looked so happy and it was killing her that this had to end.
“Hey, beautiful,” he said, reaching out and pulling her into his arms. He hugged her and Sydney stiffened. When he pulled back, she could see his eyes scanning her face. It was dark out but the outside lights illuminated just enough for her to see him. “What’s going on?”
Swallowing hard, she stepped out of his embrace. “Haley had…a bit of a breakdown in the car.”
“Oh man. I’m sorry,” he said, reaching for her again, but she evaded him.
“She’s distraught, Kyle. And confused. And…so very angry. I honestly had no idea she was feeling like this.”
“O-kay…”
She couldn’t even look at him as she explained the conversation they had in the car.
“Syd, she’s upset and she’s lashing out. This was bound to happen. We’ll give her tonight to calm down, tomorrow too, and then Monday, you guys should go to counseling together and talk it out.”