A New Kind of Love

The Pros and Cons of Breathing

  When I pulled up to my house, I spotted my Dad's car sitting in the driveway. I hadn't seen him since the night before. In all honesty, I was afraid to face him. Not only did I blatantly disrespect him, but I ran from him, and did not return home until morning. Defying my father was like asking to get your ass kicked, and then get your ass kicked out. I took a deep breath and turned the car off. It took all the strength I had not to run away again. I grabbed my book bag, and stepped out the car. I noticed a pair of headlights coming up behind me. 

     I turned and saw my brother pulling up in his red Mustang. He parked in front of me, and turned off his car. He stepped out, and the blonde girl with him stepped out, too. I noticed that she was kind of attractive. Her hair was down to her shoulders, and was bright pink at the ends. She wore bright red lipstick, and dark eye makeup. She had on a black ripped shirt, tight jeans, a leather jacket, and combat boots.

     I waved at her and she raised an eyebrow. She then crossed her arms across her chest and turned away from me. "Don't mind her," Hayden suddenly said, "She tends to hold grudges." He smirked, and walked around the car. "Nancy, that's Jake. Jake, Nancy."

     She said something unintelligible and continued to ignore me. 

     Someone’s acting a little bitchy. 

     I locked my car and started up the walk toward the house. All of the lights were on, and I knew that my parents were up waiting to have a word with me. I took my key out of my pocket as I walked to the door. "Beware. They're probably in a bad mood," I said. Hayden chuckled under his breath. We reached the door, and I realized that this was it. The moment of reckoning was finally here. I sighed, put the key in the door, and pushed it open. I walked in, expecting bombs to explode, and bullets to fly. I spotted my parents sitting in the living room. My father was sitting in his old Victorian arm chair reading a newspaper. My mother sat quietly on the love seat by our bookshelves. She had a cup of tea in her hands. 

     When she heard the door open, she turned rapidly. The lines in her forehead made me realize that she was worried about me. In all actuality, it wasn't that late. She shouldn't have been worried. I stepped into the hallway, and dropped my book bag by the stairs. When Hayden and Nancy walked in behind me, I thought she was going to drop her tea on the floor. Her jaw dropped to the floor. She placed her cup on the coffee table and stood up. I hadn't noticed my father stand up. He was slowly making his way over to us. He had a scowl on his face. Of course. He could fuck everyone over, but the minute one of his kids chose to make their own decisions, he acted like a barbarian. 

     I could feel Hayden and Nancy behind me. My mother stood and walked over to us. She looked at me and smiled apologetically. She moved passed me and went over to Hayden. She caressed his face, and hugged him. "Hayden," she chocked out, practically in tears. My father was not as happy. He looked like he was about to spit fire. I looked at my father, and noticed that his anger wasn't directed completely at me. 

     He walked through the archway, and leaned on the post. "What are you doing here, Hayden?"

     My mother took in a deep breath, and wiped her tears. "Come into the kitchen, Hayden. Oh, who's your friend?" she asked, noticing Nancy holding Hayden's hand. 

     Hayden cleared his throat. "This is my fiancée, Nancy Monroe."

     My mother smiled at her and led them to the kitchen. My father had his hands in his slacks and was staring me down. "Where've you been, son?" he asked. I looked down at the floor, and shrugged my shoulders. Why the fuck should he care? Maybe if he wasn't screwing the secretary, I'd be more inclined to believe that he did care about me. Honestly, I thought that he really only cared about himself, and his image.