Dear diary, I got grounded.

I know. It’s obvious now that I should’ve listened to Penelope, but that wasn’t the reason ... that wasn’t the reason things got out of control. Alright, fine. That wasn’t the reason I got out of control. Happy? Of course not. Diaries don’t have feelings. That’s alright because apparently I have enough for the both of us. I just don’t understand why Mum was acting so ARGH!

So I confronted her about not inviting Penelope, obviously. And it didn’t go well. I probably should’ve done it over dinner so Danny and Dad were there, but instead I decided to storm into the office. Funny thing about Mum: when she doesn’t like someone she’s like a shark, but when she’s working she’s more like a velociraptor. I knew this before walking in. I’ve known it since before I could remember. But for some stranger reason, in that moment, I completely forgot.

“Hey, can I talk to you about something?” I asked.

Fierce brown eyes locked onto me. “Emma,” she said tersely. “I’m working.”

“It’s really important.”

“If it’s not an emergency then it can wait until I’m done.” She turned back to her screen.

“But-.”

“Go speak to your father. I’m sure that he’s free to handle it.”

“It’s about you.”

Mum locked her computer and slowly turned to face me. She forced a smile that sent shivers down my spine. “What is so urgent then?”

“I wanted to know why you didn’t invite Penelope to the barbeque.”

“You see her every afternoon on weekdays. Why’s it matter?”

It was obvious that Mum just wanted the conversation to end so she could get back to work. It was like she didn’t even understand what she’d done wrong. I don’t think she cared. And that, that just made me mad.

“You hosted a barbeque for my birthday and didn’t tell me about it until that morning! Then, then you invited a bunch of strangers over and forced me to talk to them. Worse of all, you didn’t even invite the one friend I had made in this town. Why? Because I already see her on weekdays? That’s a terrible reason. You’re just acting like you don’t even care about me!”

I’ve never shouted at Mum before, or anyone for that matter. So I wasn’t exactly sure what kind of reaction it would get as I stood there, unable to meet her eyes anymore. I can’t say it surprised me when she turned back to her computer and muttered the phrase in a clear air of dismissal.

“You’re grounded.”

I should’ve backed down. I should’ve turned away and gone to my room. I should’ve done something, anything different.

But instead I let the words slide right off my tongue with every intention to hurt her. “I know now why Danny hates you so much. You’re too self-centred to care about your own children.”

The look on her face, the way her eyes met mine with so much guilt and pain before quickly turning to fury, even how she stood as if weighed down by some invisible force, it stays with me even now. It’s the kind of thing to haunt dreams, to appear whenever I close my eyes, and to fill me absolute regret.

“I-I’m sorry,” I said.

Mum shook her head. “Don’t be sorry Emma. You were just speaking your mind, right? It’s good to know that you had these thoughts bubbling below the surface. At least now I know for sure just how much influence Penelope has had on you. In a matter of a week she’s turned my own daughter against me. And what you said about Danny, well I’ll just have to chat with them myself. Don’t even think about going over to Penelope’s until I say so. Maybe some time away from her will help you rethink the way you treat others.”

“Okay.”

“If you ever speak to me or anyone else like that again I will ground you for life. In the meantime you can say goodbye to any computer or reading privileges. I hope you’re ready for turning twelve because I think it’s time for you to take on some extra responsibilities. You can start with cleaning the house, doing the washing and the dishes, and cooking at least two nights a week.”

“Yes, Mum.”

“The next time you find yourself wanting to interrupt me working over something so trivial, remember this moment and know that I am being lenient because of your approaching birthday.”

I nodded and left the study. Danny was standing right outside and stared at me with open shock. I silently walked passed. There were dishes that needing cleaning.