“You won’t even call me Mom.”

“And you don’t call me Ally.”

“ALLY IS NOT YOUR NAME!” she screams back. “You’re just as stubborn as your father. Why can’t you adjust?”

“And why can’t you acknowledge how unfair this has been for me?” I scream back.

This actually feels good. Getting all of it out in the open. The Ally I’ve been burying to make Paula happy is starting to fight to come back to the surface.

And she’s super pissed.

“WHAT ABOUT ME? All this time I’ve done everything you’ve asked. I’ve left my friends, my dog. I’ve worn the clothes you want me to. I’ve gone to every family function you want. I am here because this is what you want. You don’t want to know anything about me. You have this idea of who you want me to be, and, guess what, I’m not her. I’m sorry I’m not this perfect daughter you have had in your head all this time, but I’m sick of pretending to be something I’m not.” I’m shaking, I’m so mad. And I’m so tired of keeping everything bottled inside.

“You have put forth ZERO effort!” She points her finger at me.

“ARE YOU FUCKING KIDDING ME RIGHT NOW? Have you not listened to a word I just said?”

“Don’t you dare talk to me like that!” She comes over and grabs me by my shoulders.

Craig runs into the kitchen. “What on earth is going on? I heard shouting all the way in the garage.”

Paula ignores him. “I don’t know what kind of vulgar child your father has raised you to be, but I don’t want to hear his name ever again. Is that clear?”

Craig puts his arm around Paula to comfort her, but also to separate us. “Paula, please calm down.”

“This is not my fault!”

“AND IT’S NOT MINE, EITHER!” Tears are streaming down my face. I let out a sob. I’m not going to hold it in anymore. It’s been nothing but pure torture.

“JUST STOP IT!” She holds her hands in front of my face. “We are not talking about it anymore. PERIOD.” She shoves Craig away as she runs out of the kitchen.

“Ally, are you okay?” Craig asks, but I run upstairs.

Of course I’m not okay.

I have tried. I’ve played along, but it will never be enough. And I am so done.

With shaking hands, I call Marian.

“Hey!” she answers cheerily.

I let out another agonizing sob.

“Oh my God, what’s wrong? Are you hurt?”

I can’t reply, because breathing is nearly impossible.

“Please, say something,” Marian pleads.

“I—I—” I stutter out. “I need you to get everybody together.”

“Of course. I’ll send out the Ally signal. Whatever you need.”