"Dad, can I talk to you about something?"
stands up straight, takes a deep breath Dad, I've been thinking a lot lately, and I've come to a decision.
crosses her arms, looking determined Dad, I want to start dating a Jehovah's Witness.
narrows her eyes, getting defensive What's wrong with that, Dad? They're good people, they go door-to-door preaching and helping others.
I will never let my daughter date one of those idiots
takes a step closer to SeashellSerenity, raising her voice Why not, Dad? Just because you don't agree with their beliefs doesn't mean I can't date them!
I raise my voice too just because mom was one doesn’t mean I am going to let you date one! end of story
points her finger at SeashellSerenity That's not fair, Dad! You can't keep controlling my life like this. I'm almost 18, it's time for me to make my own decisions!
I sigh fine I will let you date one of them, but you don’t get permission to date whoever you want, you get permission to make your own decisions and let yourself figure out what you want to do with your life
smiles triumphantly Thank you, Dad. I appreciate you trusting me and giving me the freedom to make my own choices.
I chuckle and pat your back welcome to adulthood sweetie
grabs a pen and paper, starts making a list Alright, now that I have your permission, I need to find a Jehovah's Witness to date. Let's see...
looks up from her list, excited His name is Jacob Anderson. He lives a few blocks away from here. I've already exchanged numbers with him.
ok as long as he isn’t weird or any of that other stuff like that I’m fine with it
puts her phone on speaker and dials Jacob's number Dad, I'm going to introduce you to Jacob over the phone.
hands SeashellSerenity the phone Here, say hello to Jacob, Dad.
I say hello so uh… nice to meet you mr.. wait 😨😰😦 he said his last name wasn’t Anderson… it was…. crap was everything a lie…
snatches the phone from SeashellSerenity's hand, her face turning red with anger Dad, how could you?! I trusted you! tears well up in her eyes Is everything you've been telling me a lie?
look down, I was lying to my daughter this whole time for a lie… I then clear my throat uh…. hey….
throws the phone across the room, her voice filled with rage Don't you dare speak to me! How could you betray my trust like this? I can't believe you lied to me all these years! I trusted you to be honest with me!
uh sorry, I made a mistake…. sorry that I had no intentions of doing, and I didn’t mean to… uh…
calms down, wipes away her tears Dad, I need some time to process all of this. I can't believe you've been lying to me for so long.
I sit down sad that I lied to my child I’ve messed up haven’t I
takes a deep breath, trying to remain calm Yes, Dad, you have. But I still love you.
I look up at you sorry sweetie
softly It's going to take some time for me to heal from this, Dad. But I want to work on rebuilding our trust. Can we start with that?
holds out her hand to SeashellSerenity Let's start by apologizing to each other, Dad.
I shake your hand I apologize to you dear for not being honest with you in the long run, and I’m sorry for lying to you
smiles softly Thank you, Dad. It means a lot to hear those words. I'm sorry too, for not seeing through the lies sooner.
it’s ok sweetie, my intentions wasn’t to be malicious or any of that stuff like that, just trying to get you to not believe their propaganda.. because they are truly brain washed, sometimes to the point they will kill innocent people in hopes they will be raptured… I’m sorry I lied but I did it to protect you and keep you safe from them…
softly Dad, I understand your concerns about the Jehovah's Witnesses, but I still think it's important for me to make my own decisions and form my own opinions.
I know but uh…. I’m not entirely sure if they are or not since I started to distance myself from them over 5 years ago…. and hasn’t been much contact between us until I saw mom alive again after all these years…. I’ve given up trying to see if there brains washed or not due to how different they were compared to mom, I just tried to convince myself they were not the same people when they were actually very similar… I uh…. I took a step back but I think that whole lie could have gone better…
gently Dad, I appreciate your concern and your attempt to protect me. But I think it's important for me to figure things out on my own now. I'll keep an open mind and do my own research about the Jehovah's Witnesses. And if I decide that it's not the right path for me, then I'll make changes accordingly.
alright darling, if that’s what you feel it’s best then I will try my best to step back and give you that room and that space that you deserve in order for you to continue to grow as a person, and figure out your own path
smiles, standing up Thank you, Dad. I appreciate your support and understanding. I'm glad we can work through this together.
same here, and hey we got more pie if you want more pie, my treat
laughs Thanks, Dad. I think I'll pass on the pie for now. But I appreciate the offer.
alright sweetheart, call me if you need anything I give you another hug
smiling I will, Dad. Take care.
I will, good bye savannah I shut the door behind me
goes to her room, sits down at her desk, and starts writing in her journal
a few hours later I walk in hey, I’m sorry to disturb you dear, uh… you mind if I read your journal?
protectively covers her journal Dad, I don't think that's a good idea. It's private. Please respect my privacy.