I started working on our duet the next morning. I had the lyrics halfway done before grumpy Britney came through. Elsa was in the kitchen cleaning up from breakfast and made Britney her coffee.
After a few cups, I heard Britney: “Mum I’m so glad you’re home. Dad refused to make my coffee—it was hell.” Then a giggle.
“Really Britney?” I said loudly.
More giggles, then Elsa’s voice. “I know better. Chill honey.” More giggles from both of them. It felt so good to have Elsa home again.
I went back to work on the lyrics, then—for the first time—grumpy Brie, looking more like Britney, came through muttering, “Fucking jet lag. Need coffee.”
I chuckled, going back to work.
They came out a while later, and the girls went off to their room. Elsa came over, turned my chair to the side, then sat on my lap. “I have so missed these mornings.” She gave me a kiss, adding, “What Britney did yesterday was amazing. She was on fire and really pushed herself—with no bad nightmares. I couldn’t be a prouder mum.”
That afternoon we gathered for some much-needed catch-up time. Elsa started. “Britney what do you want to do about Jean-Paul? He’s still calling. I have forty-five missed calls.”
Britney thought about it, then said, “Mum unmute the phone. When he calls, put it on speaker. I want to be part of this.”
I looked over at Britney. “Bitch Britney is here to stay.”
She slapped my arm, grinning.
Elsa’s phone rang right away. She answered it on speaker, firmly: “Jean-Paul.”
He spoke. “I’m so sorry. Let Britney know I got her message. I will never—”
Britney cut in. “So Jean-Paul, you got my message. Is that all you have to say? What, you’re scared to confront me now? You had no problem announcing to the entire building at the show—destroying me, giving me severe nightmares that I have to suffer with. You think a simple ‘I’m sorry’ will fix it all? Don’t think so. But maybe now you’ll understand a bit better what you did.”
Stunned silence.
Brie and Elsa were grinning as Britney stared at the quiet phone. Then she added, “Quiet? Really? You always babble. What—now you have nothing to say?”
Britney was going in for the kill.
He started talking in a humbled voice. “You’re right. I really have done a terrible thing to you. That song you did, then what you said after—it hit me. It gave me an idea of how far I pushed you into terror. I have to make this right. How can I fix it?”
Then she did it. “You can’t!” She hung up the phone, sat back, and muttered, “Asshole. Now maybe you see what you’ve done.”
Then she looked at Elsa. “Mum I’M STARVING. We were left with barely any food here when you left. I didn’t eat much at all—it was horror.”
Britney was back with us again. She felt good letting it out, and now she could move on.
Elsa’s phone rang again. “It’s Jean-Paul again. Britney what would you like me to do?”
Britney grinned. “Answer it—then let the Mum side take over. No speaker this time.”
Elsa answered it with an angry, “Hold on!” She got up, headed to the front door, and went out into the hall. All we heard was fading yelling. Britney’s mum had taken control.
Britney grinned, then frowned. “Shit! No lunch for a while. I’m going to diiiiiiiiiiiiie.”
I asked her, “What do you want for lunch?”
She grinned. “Dad ravs sound good. What do you think sis?”
Brie chuckled. “Sounds great. Ooooo—with cheese garlic bread.”
Britney nodded.
I looked at her. “Anything else?”
They both giggled, saying together, “Nope.”
I was off to make their lunch.
When I was done cooking, I came out to the girls talking and doing something on the computer. I smiled and announced, “It’s ready, you two. You want it served on a plate or in a bowl?”
The girls just ran into the kitchen—then clinking and clattering. They came past me quickly, grinning, plates completely loaded, heading off to their room, then a closing door.
I went back into the kitchen and saw what they left. Two lonely raviolis with a little sauce in the pot, crumbs where the cheese garlic bread had been. I’d made enough for five people—now there was nothing left.
As I was making more for me and Elsa, she came in grinning. Then she filled me in. “Jean-Paul is in a panic. Britney has really done him in. I’ve never seen him this way before. He told me when Britney did the performance he was not alone. The full staff was there with the other designers and their staff. They were preparing for the next show.”
She descended into a fit of giggles and had to compose herself before she continued.
“He informed me that the other designers gave him an ultimatum—he fixes it with Britney or they’ll destroy him. I guess they’re protecting our girl. So now Jean-Paul is in a panic. He needs to fix this or his designs will never be seen again.”
I grinned. “Britney has really taken control. She wants him to suffer like she did. Now she’s done it. But really—how can he fix it with her?”
Elsa shrugged.
I saw the girls going back to the computer. Brie asked, “Can you two come look at something?”
We headed out there. Brie had the schedule for her classes on the screen. We looked over it as Britney went into the kitchen with their empty plates. Brie had several classes around music and one on mental health. Britney headed back to their room as Brie said, “Look over this, then let me know what you think.”
We agreed. Brie left grinning.
Elsa smiled. “Brie is really excited. She’s picked some great classes. Let’s grab lunch and go over it more.”
I agreed and started looking at the class breakdowns.
Elsa went into the kitchen to get our lunch. I heard, “BRITNEY! You little shit! Brie it’s your ass as well!”
Laughter erupted from their bedroom.
I was lost as Elsa came out. “No food left. Nothing. They took it all. How much did you make?”
I shook my head. “Enough for eight people—five that they cleared out the first time, so for us another three.”
Elsa added, “Brie was the distraction so Britney could wipe it out. Brilliant plan. But… that they get from you.”
I decided to get even. “How about a junk-food lunch? I’ve got a great way to teach them.”
Elsa beamed. “Let’s do it.”
I went into the kitchen, pulling out their favorite dessert—a large chocolate raspberry cheesecake. I brought it out with two forks, setting it on the desk. Elsa scooted her chair next to mine and we dug in.
Britney and Brie came in, thinking they’d pulled one on us. When they spotted what we were eating, they froze.
Elsa poured it on by feeding me. “Another bite honey?”
Then I fed her.
Britney blurted out, “Not fair!”
Brie added, “That’s our favorite!”
I jumped in. “Girls this was for dessert. But since you took all the food—twice—this is what was left. So this is our lunch. You had yours.”
We fed each other the last of it.
Britney stormed into the kitchen with Brie following. We heard the freezer open and them rifling through it.
They came out as Brie told us, “There’s no more!”
I smiled. “Yep. This was the last one. And remember—it was discontinued. Never to be eaten again. Maybe next time you’ll think before you take everything.”
Britney plopped onto the floor, pouting. Brie sat on our bed, doing the same.
We won.
When we were completely caught up with Brie’s college plans, we learned she would be living in Malibu. She had a new Mustang convertible, a new mobile phone for California, and a new laptop with all the books and supplies she needed. Jean-Paul had really gone all out.
Brie explained her classes. “Britney I took the Mental Health one to better understand what you’re going through. I hope you don’t mind. Plus, I have a paper to do for that class and the music mastering one.”
Britney smiled. “No, I don’t mind. And with you having to deal with me, you might be able to give everyone better knowledge about how it really is.” Then she grinned, adding, “Brie I have a thought—something I want to do to help you with the papers for your classes. I think doing two songs to show my issues with anxiety from my point of view, and the way I cope—by singing it out—will also show them your knowledge in mastering. What do you think?”
Brie beamed. “You’re a genius. I never would have thought of that. A perfect way to get them to understand you. Dad can we use the system?”
I chuckled. “Sure. Have fun, and if you need help, just ask.”
Elsa and I went to the kitchen. They got started right away.
Elsa took out drinks for the girls, then came back in. “Want to fool around?”
I grinned. “You have to ask?” She wrapped her arms around my neck, kissing me. We were undisturbed.
A while later, as we started making dinner, Britney shouted from the other room, “We hear you! Is Mum’s clothes still on? I’m just making sure Brie doesn’t accidentally eat a special seasoning.” She burst out laughing.
Brie gagged. “Ewww, gross! Britney you’re as sick as they are. Is the food even safe?”
Elsa whispered, “Go really play it up. I want to get back at them for lunch.”
So I walked out, licking my fingers one by one. “Mmm. Mum-flavored. All safe now, cleaned up.”
Brie bolted to the bathroom. Britney giggled. “Good one, Dad.”
Elsa followed, knowing we’d gotten Brie. But it was Britney’s turn. “We have to start dinner all over again. I found my panties in the pot. Britney you can have the soup if you want—you don’t get grossed out.”
Britney went pale, shaking her head frantically.
Elsa and I went back to the kitchen. She whispered with a grin, “That should teach them.” I chuckled.
We made sandwiches and carried them out. The girls grabbed theirs and sat down. Just as I was about to sit, I said, “I forgot my soup,” and went back into the kitchen.
When I returned with a steaming bowl, Brie froze and Britney gaped. I took a spoonful and closed my eyes. “Damn, that’s tasty. Best soup ever.”
Elsa nearly burst out laughing. Brie looked ready to throw up.
I put them out of their misery. “What Mum said never happened. It’s just minestrone from a tin.”
Elsa burst out laughing.
Britney shook her head. “Dad, Mum—you’ve crossed the line. Making us think you made panty soup? Even I’m grossed out.”
Brie sighed in relief. “Okay, I get the point. Don’t take all the food again. Sorry.”
Elsa smirked. “Good. Because if you do, maybe next time I will—and you won’t know if I’m joking.”
The girls nodded quickly and started eating their sandwiches. We finished a simple dinner together, still laughing.
After dinner, Elsa gathered up our plates. The girls wanted to record the music they’d come up with. This time, Britney was going to just let it flow out—what she was feeling about her anxiety. We sat on our bed cuddling, waiting.
Brie smiled. “Ready Brit?”
Britney nodded.
Brie started the music, cueing Britney. We heard this:
“I'm A Storm Trapped In A Glass”
Dad I know you're strong but I'm breaking at the seams
I'm shaking in the dark haunted by silent screams
Mum I see your worry etched deep in your eyes
But sometimes I feel like I'm drowning in the sky
I'm a storm trapped in a glass confining my own clouds
The thunder's deafening I can't shut it out
Every breath feels borrowed like it's not meant for me
But I'm fighting for a moment where I can just be free
Sis we shared a heartbeat from the very start
You see the cracks forming deep within my heart
I hear you whisper you’d take this pain away
But no one else can bear it I face it every day
I'm a storm trapped in a glass confining my own clouds
The thunder's deafening and I can't shut it out
Every breath feels borrowed like it's not meant for me
But I'm fighting for a moment where I can just be free
I've stitched up wounds no one could ever see
In mirrors I don't always recognize me
Some days I win the battle or a sliver of a fight
And I hold onto the hope waiting for the light
I'm a storm trapped in a glass confining my own clouds
The thunder's deafening and I can't shut it out
Every breath feels borrowed like it's not meant for me
But I'm fighting for a moment where I can just be free
Where I can just be free
Britney turned to Brie. “Good enough? Do you think they’ll understand?”
Brie was beaming. “It’s really everything wrapped into one song. You made it simple to understand… you.”
Elsa added, “You’ll get an A for sure.”
I got up, going over to the girls and pulling them into a hug. “I’m proud of both of you. Britney, you nailed the point. I guess I’m out of a job—retirement here I come.”
Britney grinned. “Fat chance. You can never stop creating—I won’t let you.” She tightened the hug.
Just then, a knock came at the door. Elsa went to find out who it was. Britney sat down, waiting.
Elsa came in, standing in the doorway. “Britney you have a visitor. Okay to let her in?”
Britney grabbed my arm nervously. “Yes, it’s okay.”
Elsa nodded to the woman, then came over to us. Jean-Paul’s wife, Sarah, entered, standing in the doorway holding a box.
Britney said softly, “Hello Sarah.”
Sarah, with tears in her eyes, extended the box toward Britney. “This is for you.”
Elsa took it, handing it to Britney. Inside were a dozen pink-frosted long-stem roses.
Sarah continued, “I got your letter and the song, with what you added at the end. I had to come see you in person. When I arrived, someone was leaving the building and let me in. I came up and heard what you just sang and… I’m so sorry.”
Britney gave a small smile. “Sarah these are beautiful. I love them. But it’s not your place to apologize for his actions. I don’t blame you at all.”
Sarah looked down. “I just wanted to tell you in person… Jean-Paul is sleeping in the den, not with me. I informed him that what he did to you was completely wrong—extremely cruel and unforgivable. If he doesn’t get this fixed, I’m thinking about leaving him. I can’t be with a person who did what he did and gets away with it. I never knew he could be so cruel. The man I married is just a loving person, not capable of this.”
She looked up at Britney.
Britney shook her head. “Please don’t leave him. I think he’s learning what he did was wrong and will change. You two ending just as you’re starting isn’t right. I would feel guilty if I broke your marriage up. I can’t deal with that. Please—just make him suffer for a bit longer.”
Sarah gave a small smile. “You’re too kind. You’re truly a better person than we are. I will stay with him. I really do love him with all my heart and want to spend my life with him. But he is going to suffer—I promise that.”
Britney smiled. “Thanks for coming over. You didn’t have to, but it means a lot to me.”
Sarah nodded. “Britney I am really sorry for all of this. But you did crush him. I’ve never seen that before. You did great.”
She told us goodnight, then left.
Britney felt really good. She handed me the roses. “Put these in water, then put them in my chamber.” She giggled.
I took them, saying sarcastically, “Yes Your Majesty. Anything else Your Majesty?”
She waved me off. “That’s all. You can leave now.”
I turned, shaking my head.
Elsa chuckled, taking them. “I’ll put them in water for you.” She leaned down to Britney. “Keep up demanding, and you’ll be wearing them.” She grinned, going into the kitchen. Britney shrank in the chair.
When Elsa was in the kitchen, Britney looked over at Brie. “Tomorrow I want to do the next one for you. It’s about what I was able to do at the mall. And since Dad is taking soooooooooooo long making the song he promised me, I think we’ll have time.”
Brie smiled. “That sounds great. That way I’ll have enough time to write the paper for my classes. Plus, having both songs will give me the reference. Britney, you’re the best.”
Britney smiled, hugging her. “You need all the help you can get catching up—since it’s my fault you’re behind.”
They both giggled.
