“Need some help?” I offer.
“That worthless piece ’o crap excuse of a dad of yours! Who the hell does he think he is telling us he’s coming with basically no notice, and then cancels last minute?” she rants.
“Nice to see you too,” I mumble half hoping she hears me. But if she does I can’t tell.
“And yes I could use some help. Start with taking these to the table, then go get your sister.” She hands me all but one of the bags and sits on the couch. I don’t hate my mom, but if I had my choice she’d be a totally different person. Of course if she had her way it would be the same story, I guess it’s a classic case of the grass is always greener syndrome.
I guess Claire’s over being pissed at me since when I walked through the door nothing smashed on the wall next to me. Still, I keep my eyes on the carpet.
“Hey, the food’s here,” I tell her.
“You think I’m a horrible person don’t you?” Her voice is shaky. At first I didn’t think she was talking to me, but when I look up Claire’s staring at me. Her eyes are red and her cheeks shine with tears. I don’t answer, because no matter what I say, it won’t be the answer she was looking for. “You do don’t you? You hate me just like everyone else?”
“I don’t hate you,” I say, “Why would you think I hate you?”
“It’s all my fault. Mom and Dad aren’t together because of me. I knew where the money was really going, and I didn’t say anything. And its my fault that…” She wouldn’t go on.
“That’s not your fault. It’s Dad’s, you cant blame yourself for that. Besides even if you had said something, they were screwed way before then. Just go get whatever Mom brought and get over it.” I didn’t wait for her to do anything or yell to stop ordering her around. Instead I grabbed my food, Chinese apparently, and tried to do my English homework.
Why was homework ever invented? I mean most people don’t even glance at it till the next morning in study hall. Why don’t they just give it to us then?
I started wondering what would have happened if Claire hadn’t interrupted. Probably nothing. I try to shake the thoughts off, but I cant stop thinking what James might have done. I haven’t had many real boyfriends, Sara’s the one who does that. I’ve always been kind of jealous of her, but considering the thing with Keith happens a lot with her, I guess beauty has its price. The stereo kicks on and 21 Guns by Green Day is playing. Did I set the alarm? I must have since its never done that before.
I leave the album on to play and pick up my note book. I doodle for what seems like hours and pass out. In my dream I see Abby and I, around age 7, in a yard I recognize. We’re dressing up her Saint Bernard puppy in baby clothes.
“Come on Max.” Abby calls. Max doesn’t move.
“I’m telling you guys, his booties are to small.” I hear Sara say as she walks out of the house. “Those huge paws of his are gonna burst out of those things.”
“Fine, just take off the booties and…”
“Abigail Lee didn’t I tell you that you could not go outside until your room was clean?” Abby’s mom screamed from the back door. “And why in God’s name are you putting your cousin’s clothes on that filthy mutt?” She was walking over to us.
“I-I-I um… I forgot,” Abby stammered. Abby’s mom slapped her so hard the sound made my ears ring.
“Next time you’ll remember won’t you?” She yelled. I could tell Abby was trying really hard not to cry, but where she hit her was beet red. She didn’t answer. “I asked you a question,” she hit her again. “Will you or will you not do what I tell you from now on?”
“Leave her alone!” Sara cried. She had a lot more courage than me. I was just trying to get the clothes off Max.
“What did you say to me Sally?” She stared intently at Sara. She never did get her name right.
“I said leave her alone.” Sara said holding her stare “Grown ups aren’t allowed to hit their kids, Mommy said so.”
“You both better leave right now.” She told us. I glanced at Abby, she gave me a pleading look, but motioned for us to go. We ran down the sidewalk until we were at Sara’s house. We whispered bye to each other, but nothing more.
How is the MC feeling as she watches this? Is she gaping, gawking, etc.?