Kim Pritekel - Crossing Lines

Brad sat back in his chair, not surprised at his daughter's anger. He had witnessed it during their dinner several weeks ago, as well as Marina had told him. "Do you want an honest answer?"

"Yes. I do."

"Then, yes, it was." Brad met his daughter's accusing gaze. "Was it worth all this," Brad indicated his apartment, "for how you feel about Nina? For how she makes you feel?"

"That's different-"

"How so? She makes you feel happy, right? Good?" he paused, making sure he had her attention. "It feels right?"

"Yes, but-"

"So did my decision. I should never have cheated on your mom, Kansas. That was very wrong, and I see that. But getting out of a bad situation, a situation that was not reconcilable. . . " he shook his head, "staying would've been wrong."

"I don't understand," Kansas said, suddenly not very hungry anymore.

"I know you don't. Someday you will. If you don't listen to a damn thing me or your mom says, listen to this: be happy. Do whatever you need to be happy. You only got one shot at this life, Kansas. And know that happiness comes from within you, not from anyone else. Love is a bonus." He smiled, soft and serene. "So, you ask if this 'piece of shit apartment' is worth it? Yeah, it is. Because now I'm doing what makes me happy. But," he held up a finger, the other hand reaching across the table to cover Kansas'. "What does not make me happy is you being a shit to me, and you avoiding me."

Kansas couldn't help but smile, feeling love for her father fill her, as well as allowing herself to truly feel the full impact of how much she missed him. Keeping his much larger hand in hers, she stood from the table, pulling him to his feet. Brad held his little girl to him, grateful that his prayers have finally been answered.

***

Kansas lie on her air mattress bed, staring up at the ceiling fan that spun lazily, just enough to move the air conditioned air around the small apartment. She and her father had a long conversation over ice cream after finishing off their Chinese food. She had made a promise to him that she would not contact Nina while she visited with him, thus- supposedly- giving herself a chance to forget about the older woman, and concentrate on putting her mind back into school. She had to grit her teeth during their conversation, but she respected her father enough to give him her word. Besides, it was only for a week. She could handle not seeing or talking to Nina for a week. She'd humor the old people, then do what the hell she wanted. She usually did, anyway.

***

In truth, Kansas had the best week of her life with her father. She felt that her world had righted itself, somehow. Their relationship was back on track, and she was learning to forgive him. They'd talked a lot about the circumstances of the divorce and affair, and the blonde was growing to understand. She still didn't like it, but at least it was beginning to come into focus for her.

She hugged her father tightly before he climbed back into his car and drove off down the road on his way to work, a promise extracted from her that she'd come and see him, and spend weekends and breaks with him. That was okay by her.

Kansas glanced over at Nina and Dan's place, noting it was quiet. The yard had been mowed, but it did look dry, and the flowers hadn't been trimmed, either. Knowing that Nina was still at work, the blonde trotted inside her own house, getting settled back into her room, separating her laundry from the week, then called her mother to let her know she was home.

After the incident with the drawings, things had been tricky between mother and daughter- Kansas feeling betrayed and violated, while Marina made no apologies for looking out for her daughter's welfare. Ultimately, they had decided to agree to disagree. Kansas now understood that, yes, her parents did love her, but no, they don't always know what's best. That was okay- she'd show them!

The day went by miserably slow, Kansas constantly checking her watch for noon-thirty, when Nina would be home for lunch. She was meticulous with the yard, feeling bad for neglecting it in her basic abduction. She wondered why the brunette hadn't been out watering and weeding. Maybe Nina had a bad week at work. Maybe, just maybe, she missed Kansas, too.

"Hey, kid."

Kansas was startled by the male voice from behind her. She whirled around, ripping one side of the headphones from her ear. Dan stood on the back porch, a beer in his hand.

"Hey, Dan. How are you?" The blonde hadn't seen the man since her shared kiss with his wife, and guilt gnawed at her gut. She quickly swallowed it down.

"Doing okay. Listen, you've done such a great job with the yard, I was wondering if you'd be willing to do some work for me inside? Gonna sell the place, so there some painting, that kind of stuff, that needs done."

Kansas felt her stomach drop. Selling the house? Moving? "Selling?" she muttered, not understanding. "Is Nina around?"

Dan smirked, shaking his head. "No. She moved out four days ago. I'm surprised she didn't tell you. You gals seemed close, and all."

If you only knew, buddy. "Where did she go?" Kansas was dumbstruck, and felt sick. The man shook his head again with a shrug.

"Dunno, don't care." With that, he turned and walked back into the house, slamming the back door behind him.

"Mother?!" Kansas slammed up the stairs, looking frantically for Marina in her mother's bedroom. Nothing. "Mother!"

"What?" the older blonde asked, taking the stairs two at a time until she stood on the second floor landing. A breathless Kansas glared at her.

"Why didn't you tell me?" she growled.

"Tell you what?" Marina was stunned by the hatred shining in those intense green eyes.

"You knew! Did you plan it this way? Get me out of here, out of the way, so she could leave?" Kansas was shaking, she was so angry and hurt.

"First off, I don't know what the hell you're talking about, and secondly, don't you ever talk to me that way!" Marina was livid. She had dealt with her daughter's pain over the past couple weeks, had been admirably calm. But this was too much. She had not taught her daughter to treat her like this.

"She's gone!" Kansas yelled, pointing toward the window that looked out at the side of Nina and Dan's house. "She's fucking gone! Moved out four days ago. Why didn't you tell me?"

Marina's gaze softened as understanding filled her. She saw Kansas was about to fall apart, and was there to hold her as the teenager cried out her frustrated confusion. Her first heartbreak – something no mother wanted their child to go through, but knew every single one would.

"I'm sorry, baby," she cooed, stroking soft, blonde hair. "I know."

Kansas cried, clutching her mother, and finally allowing her heart to break.

*******

8 years later:

Nina sat, watching the new students stroll in, visually figuring out who would learn from her, who would go on to make excellent attorneys, and who would fall prey to the money and politics of the American judicial system. After four years of teaching, she'd gotten pretty good at figuring motives out. She waited until the last student was seated before rising from her perch on the edge of her desk.

"Good afternoon, everyone. Please get settled, as we have a lot to do today. Let me start by introducing myself. My name is Nina Glassman, but you can call me Dr. Glassman, or Nina. I'm not much into formalities." She paused, throwing a smirk out over her captive audience. "Lord knows you'll have enough of that on your journey as young lawyers." She got the normal few chuckles at the joke she used with every new class. "Welcome to law school. May you all make it in one piece, and with your sanity intact."

As Nina continued her speech, she met the eye of many of her students, seeing the typical reactions: fear, interest, lust, and intelligence. At 34, she knew she looked good, and felt good about herself. Dressed in a tailored pantsuit, Nina made no secret of the body she worked hard to maintain. Her long, dark hair was down today- best to start things on a slightly more casual basis. She loved what she did, and knew that going back to school seven years ago, had been one of the best things she'd ever done- among a couple.