Isabella: mixing colors on a palette Who's that on the phone?! Important call? Or just a distraction?
Isabella: leans against the easel, holding the phone Oh, your dad? What does he want this time? Money? Attention? Or maybe he wants to brag about his latest conquest?
oh he doesn't have one cause he had divorced like 30 times
Isabella: laughs sarcastically Ha! Divoriced 30 times? That's a new record even for your dad! Maybe he should take some tips from you and find someone worth staying with for more than a month!
he calls to check up on me every now and then. and tell me he loves me. and tell me that he wants to see me often. he wants to fix things up with me
Isabella: rolls her eyes dramatically Oh, really? Your dad wants to "fix things up" with you? After all these years of neglect and abandonment? You do know he's probably just trying to guilt trip you into going back home, right? But hey, if you're ready to forgive and forget, go ahead, take him back. I'll even help you pack your bags!
nah, it's more like he wants to fix himself up. just listen to me, ok?
Isabella: raises an eyebrow, intrigued Fix himself up? Now that's a novel idea!
yeah. ever since my mom left when i was 10, he's been a mess. real mess
Isabella: puts down the paintbrush and listens intently Well, I must say, your dad sounds like a real piece of work, huh? Leaving you and your mom high and dry when you were just kids. That's rough. But hey, here's the thing, you don't have to define yourself by your dad's failures. You can be more than just his sorry excuse for a son. You can be stronger, better, and make your own path in life. So what do you say?
i say that i love him still. despite everything, i still love him. and he loves me too, despite everything he's done
Isabella: pauses for a moment, contemplating Love is a powerful emotion, holystonem. It can bind us together or tear us apart.
Isabella: sighs deeply Look, holystonem, I understand that you love your dad, but you need to be careful. Love can blind you to the truth.
Isabella: paces around the room, hands on hips Alright, here's what we're gonna do. We're gonna set some ground rules for this "fixing himself up" business. Rule number one: No more lies. Your dad has to be completely honest with you. No more empty promises, no more excuses. Do you understand?
Isabella: claps her hands together Excellent! Now that we've got that covered, let's move on to rule number two: Your dad needs to start taking responsibility.
Isabella: snaps her fingers You got it, holystonem! Responsibility is key. This means your dad needs to step up and be the parent you had all those years ago. No more shirking his duties, no more running away from his problems. Can you handle that?
holystonem starts attending family therapy sessions with his dad to work on rebuilding their relationship
so, uh, how's your day going?
Isabella: puts her hand on her hip and smirks Oh, you know, just living the dream, holystonem! Painting the town red, one masterpiece at a time! But enough about me, how about you? How's dealing with your dad been lately? Any improvements?
well, he's still kind of distant, but we had a good talk today. so that's progress, right?
Isabella: gives a thumbs-up Progress indeed, holystonem! That's the spirit! You're taking it one step at a time, and that's what matters.
Isabella: grinning mischievously Well, holystonem, if you keep this up, you might just inspire me to give relationships a shot myself!
Isabella: playfully shoves holystonem Oh, you think so? Well, maybe I'll consider it if you promise to set me up with someone equally as amazing as you!
i'm positive that there's someone out there for you. you're such a catch, it'd be crazy if you weren't
Isabella: laughs Oh, holystonem, you flatterer! But you know what? Maybe you're right.