No Decision Here

“There is no decision here.  You will not leave.  You will not leave this house.  This is your future.  Our family is your future.”  My father stood over me and I wondered how I would survive if I stayed under his roof for one more night.  My creativity was stifled by a man who didn’t believe in imagination.  Because he had grown up in a world with no books meant I was destined to live the same life as he did. 

“No,” I said, finally building up my courage.  “No I will not.  I am my own future and you are no longer a part of it.” 

I grabbed my suitcase with what little conviction and hope I had left and headed to the front door, fully expecting for him to stop me.  I almost paused at the front door, thinking we would pull me back inside, but I opened the door and headed toward my car.  I sighed with relief as I started the car and shifted to reverse.  As I backed out of the driveway, I risked at glance at the front door and saw my father staring at me from behind the glass door with a sad look on his face.  It was the last thing I saw before the house exploded.