I Would Take A Beating For You

As the world caves in

It's the day before Mom's wedding. I'm checking out the venue. Mom and My aunts-and uncle-are looking at the decorations and color scheme approving of every last detail. I sit at one of the tables rolling my eyes and texting Julius.

Me: You sure your head's alright?

Juls💙: I'm sure babe. Don't worry so much.

Me: I have nothing to do. I'm looking at the venue for the sham of a wedding that's happening tommorow.

"Richie get off your phone and get over here!" Aunt Liz says loudly. I walk over to her. "You ready for tommorow? It's a big day. You get a new dad, happier mom." She says. "He is not my dad." I snap. "Not yet." My aunt says putting down the pen she is holding with a smirk. "What do you know?" I ask. She leans closer to me. "You didn't hear it from me but Steve is in the process of trying to adopt you. Isn't that great?" She squeals.

Me: HE'S TRYING TO ADOPT ME!😬😬😬

Juls💙: 😨

Me: I KNOW RIGHT?

Juls💙: I feel like such an idiot.

Me: why?

Juls💙: it took me days to devise that plan and it failed before it was even put into action.

Me: but we you know 👉👌

Juls💙: Richie!

Me: what? I'm just saying🙈🙈🙈

"Who you texting?" Aunt liz asks looking over my shoulder. "I believe you mean "whom are you texting." I say. "Seriously, who?" Aunt liz asks. We've always been close since I am her only nephew. "My boyfriend, Julius." I admit. "Oh la la! Can I see a picture?" Aunt liz asks excitedly.

I pull up a picture of Julius that I snuck while at his house. "Damn. You really found a hot one. What's he want with you?" Aunt liz says. "Auntie!" I say. "Fine. Keep your secrets but I'm sure he's great." She says. "He really is." I say.

Julius

"Adoption? Adoption?!" I think outloud. Why would he want to do that. WHY? "Julius honey, you alright? You sound frustrated." Mom says knocking on my open door frame. "Richie's stepdad wants to adopt him after the wedding." I groan. "What wedding?" Mom asks. "He's gonna marry Richie's mom." I say sitting up from my slouched over position. "When?" Mom asks setting down the laundry basket she's holding.

"Tommorow." I say quietly. "Julius, are you sure he's abusive? Are your sure that what you overheard wasn't just the T.V? Or just poor context?" Mom asks. "I'm sure! Richie wouldn't lie!" I shout leaping up from my bed. "Julius you're shouting." Mom says. "Don't talk like that! I am not your little mental patient." I say.

"Julius I'm just saying with your bi-." Mom stops mid-sentence and bites her finger. "We don't use that fucking word!" I shout. "Julius watch your damn mouth! I need you to calm down and take your medicine." Mom says opening my medication bottle and placing three in her palm.

"I'm not taking those damn pills." I say turning away from my mom. Mom grabs me hand and turns me around shoving the pills in her hand in my mouth. I kick and scream then spit them out. "Julius this is ridiculous! You're 15 years old and you know your diagnosis! You need to take your pills!" Mom screams desperately.

I was diagnosed as bipolar a week after my dad died. I was good at taking my meds until I "didn't need" them anymore. I knew I would need them again one day. I just really hoped that day wouldn't come. "Mommy!" I sob. My mom wraps me in a hug as I fall to the floor. "I'm sorry! I'm so sorry!" I sob repeatedly. "It's okay. You're okay." Mom says quietly as I cry.