Crises in Love (Zora and Jaylan) novel Chapter 349

Farley bellowed at Hazel on the hospital bed, "Enough with the screaming... You've been at it all night long, for Pete's sake! Can't you let me sleep for a bit?"

Jessica was livid, snapping back at her dad, "What's your problem? She's hurt, isn’t she? Why else would she be screaming? Can't you show a little compassion? Did you miss any sleep last night? And you're still in bed?"

"I don't have to take this crap," Farley retorted angrily. "It was her idea to go out yesterday, wasn’t it? If she hadn’t insisted on that silly ritual, would we be in this mess? I didn't get a second of sleep last night with all her yelling!"

"Shut your trap!" Jessica shot back disrespectfully. "All you do is blame others. What good have you done? Why don't you take charge for once?"

"Oh, give me a break! Me, take charge? When has she ever let me decide anything? This whole disaster is her own doing!" Farley roared without restraint.

I couldn't help but chuckle and quipped, "Looks like Farley's finally growing a spine!"

Hannah, puzzled, looked at me and pressed, "Why do you say that?"

With a grin, I explained, "In the Dawson family, Farley ranks about as high as the family pet. He's been under Hazel's thumb his whole life, with no chance of ever taking the lead. Anyone can snap at him, scream at him, and he wouldn’t dare let out a peep. Jessica, especially, has inherited all her mom's sass. She doesn’t have an ounce of respect for her dad. I remember one time overhearing her scolding Farley! It was ruthless"

"No wonder!" Hannah laughed even harder. "The girl's got guts!"

As if on cue, Jessica, perfectly illustrating my point, hurled another insult, "And you have the gall to talk? If it weren't for Mom, this family would be out on the street! You’d have us living off bread and water!"

Hannah was stunned into silence by Jessica’s harsh words, then burst into laughter.

"Don't laugh. To outsiders, Jessica can be quite the lady," I clarified.

"Lady? Please! That's a lady?" Hannah was skeptical.

"That's the Dawson charm – they're all born actors," I praised.

No sooner had I finished my compliment than Jessica cursed again, "It's all because of that damn Aaliyah. Always up to no good. Mom was right. She’s the curse. If she’d just drop dead, all our problems would be solved!"

Hannah was taken aback by Jessica's harsh words and frowned. "What a piece of work. Who does she think she is?"

"She's a chip off the old block – Hazel's mini-me," I elucidated.