Taken for Granted by Leslyn Amthor Spinelli

Author:Leslyn Amthor Spinelli
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: addiction, infertility, families, adoption, psychological suspense, criminal justice system, snitch, madison wi, toxic friendship
Publisher: Leslyn Amthor Spinelli

Chapter Twenty-five

Tuesday, October 30

I went into the kitchen, started the coffee, and held a mug under the dripping filter basket. After half a cup of the ultra-strong brew, my head felt clear enough to resume reading Kate’s letter.

I was particularly tuned into my father’s emotions during Mom’s more marked binges and when she was hospitalized. My father seemed so vulnerable. (Can you believe it? I was worried about HIM???) Anyway, he was often more affectionate (if you can call it that) and complimentary to me during those times. He would say things like, “I’m so proud of you Kate. You’re so much stronger than HER.”

One weekend when I was about thirteen, while my father was away at a conference, I had such terrible chest pains and heart palpitations that my mother rushed me to the emergency room. When the doctors told her it was anxiety, she specifically asked that they not tell my father. She said he had enough on his mind and it would be better not to worry him. She knew and I knew that he would think less of me if he learned of this weakness. In one way, it helped knowing that I wasn’t having a heart attack. In another, it was awful facing the realization my father would only accept me if I was perfect.

I graduated first in my high school class and made my father proud. He allowed me to go to Shenstone (although it wasn’t an Ivy League school), because they had such a strong science program. (It probably didn’t hurt the place was founded by Mom’s grandfather!) Also, it was close to home, and my father needed to have me around once in a while to show me off to his friends.

Strangely enough, I liked to go home pretty frequently too. But only if I took you along or if one of my brothers was going to be home with a friend. Corbett Daniels was the perfect host, always gregarious and welcoming to our friends. He was much more likely to show warmth toward us with company around. I think we all longed for those times because it made us feel like we were a normal family. Even as small children, we looked forward to company. We would have to mind our manners and make sure we didn’t do anything foolish or rowdy, but that stuff was easy. We never had to worry about what kind of mood our father would be in or whether he’d berate us. If we had company, he’d be Ward Cleaver.

As I got up to pour another cup of coffee, I remembered one specific weekend at the Daniels’ residence. On Sunday afternoon, I had gone with Kate and her father to their country club, where he’d arranged for them to play in a tennis tournament. I remembered how envious I’d been of their relationship as they strolled off the court companionably, having won the hard-fought match. Kate had looked so happy, so strong, confident and vital. How

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