The next morning when Gabe came in the kitchen he saw the TV was on, airing the news. They were talking about a car accident. Someone had hit a car and driven away. “The culprit has turned herself in last night” The newsreader told some more details, but Gabe and Rachel didn’t hear it anymore.
“That fucking retard” Gabe cursed.
“Gabe!” Rachel reproached, nodding at Amber who looked up from her plate rotating her head from her mother to her father and back. “Amber, sweetie, why don’t you take your breakfast upstairs? You can watch some TV in your room”
“Nice offer, mom, but I think I’d rather be part of the conversation” Amber declined the suggestion.
“It wasn’t an offer” Rachel said. “It was an order, only more polite”
“Amber, do as your mother says or I will make you” Gabe threatened. Amber picked up her loaf of bread and got up. “No, thank you, my arm’s still sore” She left the kitchen and went upstairs to her room.
“What are we going to do now?” Rachel asked as soon as Amber had left.
“I am going to the police office and I’m getting her out of there” Gabe decided.
Rachel nodded. “Good. That’s a very wise decision, Gabe” she praised her husband.
“You misunderstand me” Gabe replied. “I’m not letting her come back. I’ll take her somewhere far away from here”
“I don’t want that” Rachel protested. “She’s our daughter, Gabe”
“She’s not your daughter” Gabe said and though he said it in a normal tone it was as if he had yelled the words through a speaker.
“That’s not fair” Rachel softly replied. “She was only three when we met, so that makes me her mother”
“If you’d be a better mother it may not have gotten this far” Gabe snapped.
“What?” Rachel said shocked. “You’re the one who begged me to keep your little secret. If you would’ve told her what she was and what she could become she would’ve been more careful”
“I’m leaving” Gabe said.
“Yeah, why not run away from the issue?” Rachel snapped as Gabe walked out of the front door.