After her father walked out on the family, Emily developed a deep resentment towards him. Despite his promises to keep in regular contact, she wanted nothing to do with him. Her grandmother, however, was insistent that she should give him a call, reminding her that he was still her father and it was important to stay in touch. This seemed odd to Emily, especially since her own mother no longer spoke to her ex-husband. Still, in order not to upset her mum, Emily would meet her father from time to time.
Once, she was taken out of school during lessons just to see him. Her teacher was evidently displeased, but there was nothing she could do when Emilys own dad turned up to collect her. At her father’s house, Emily overheard some of her classmates gossiping about her supposed sister. Though she didn’t believe it at first, things became clear when she met her father’s new familyhis wife and their young daughter. Emilys stepmother treated her kindly, showing concern for her and frequently asking about her schoolwork. Meanwhile, her father remained distant, lost in his computer and barely acknowledging either of his daughters.
As time went on, her father began to collect Emily from her mother’s more often, asking her to watch over her younger half-sister. Emily disliked being given this responsibility and refused to see the little girl as her own sister. Nevertheless, she felt pressured to go along with it so she could appear to be keeping up a normal relationship with her dad, just as her mother and grandmother seemed to expect. When she was asked to stay over at her father’s house for longer periods, Emily refused, insisting she had homework. Her father didn’t seem at all concerned and instead suggested she could look after her half-sister while he and his wife went out for the evening.
Emily felt hurt and overlooked; this was the final straw for her. She decided she wasnt going back to her father’s home again. When her father phoned to ask where she was and reminded her about her ‘responsibility’ towards her half-sister, Emily stood her ground, refusing to act as a free babysitter. She pointed out that her father barely spoke to her, just leaving her to take care of his daughter while he saw to his own interests. Feeling unappreciated and ignored, she drew further away, and eventually cut ties with him altogether.
Any attempts by her father or stepmother to reconnect with Emily were futile. Eventually, she confronted her father, demanding he explain himself. He was bluntly honestsaying that someone needed to help with the youngest child, and he didn’t even bother pretending he missed Emily.
In the end, the tension between Emily and her father never eased, and any chance of repairing their relationship seemingly vanished. Her fathers actions caused a rift that could not be mended, leaving Emily feeling used and unvalued.
