Overlap

Chapter 37-C: Calling All Pilots!

<01/04/2011 - 16:04 | 1010 Link Street, Marietta, GA, USA>

Each time I reach the front doorstep of my home, I feel so much more at ease and relaxed than when I'm at school. It's been an especially long day as well with all the conversation I've had again with Lumina. It's not a bad day, just a long one. That's why I was ready to welcome the peace and calming atmosphere of the place I could be myself the most.

"I don't give a fuck who does it! No one touches the laundry room anymore! Everyone do your own load of laundry!"

Or not. Just like that, the peace I thought I was returning to turned out to be a blazing hell of anger and vile yelling from the man we all expected it from. I didn't even get to walk inside before hearing another one of his tirades. I could tell by the context that Peterson was mad that somebody misplaced or improperly dried his laundry. I don't touch that idiot's stuff, but I already know he's going to yell at me and blame me for something I wasn't part of. The silent dread whipped up a storm of stress inside me like no other, and the only way I could deal with it was to associate this sensation with the hatred I have for heathens, heathens such as himself.

"Guess you're back in paradise." Even Lumina sees all that is wrong with this picture. Peterson looks so much like an asshole right now, not realizing that I have an invisible private guest over as usual. I don't tell him or my mom about Lumina, or even that I have such a friend, and I shouldn't have to explain why.

But I for one had a better than average day, my mood on such a high hill, that I needed to defend that status as much as possible. "I'm not dealing with this shit right now."

"Good! He's home! Do the trash Reed!"

He already knows where I've been all day, knows that I can't possibly participate in chores when I'm at school, and yet he still yells and screams at me for the messes that don't get cleaned, messes that are usually caused by him. It's why I've become more lax on chores lately, letting trash pile up on purpose, only because instead of being asked to take it out, I get screamed at when it's physically impossible for me to take care of it while I'm at school or out on a walk. If Peterson wants to yell at me and treat me like I'm his bitch, then I won't do any chores at all.

I've gained a little more courage to stand up for myself to this dangerous heathen lately, but not too much. I nodded my head towards my room as I began walking towards the connected hallway. I wanted to throw every curse word I knew at this man for how he was talking to me. But instead, all I could say was, "I'll do it later." After all, the chores aren't going anywhere, and they are not going to get up and walk away. It makes no difference if I do them ten minutes from now or four hours from now. "Fucking loser." It amazed me even more that he could behave like this right in front of my mother, who was standing with her eyes down in the living room, ignoring me somewhat.

"Screw this guy Reed. I won't put up with heathens like that trying to control your life." I figured Lumina would try standing up for me by now. Our agreement was to not get too worked up by nearby heathens, until they start affecting me directly in some way. Between me and Peterson, that's on a daily basis.

The problem is, he's stuck in the same roof with me, and I can't get him to leave. "I won't either, but my mother is married to that stupid asshole." I finally made it to my room, the one and only sole paradise that I have, and now more private than ever since this new house has an extra bedroom that my brother Ivan is using. Finally, I can have the true serenity of privacy and isolation. "My own room, the safest place on Earth."

Lumina took in the sights and quiet noise of the room as I did, trying to match her moods with mine. "It does feel homey. And you've done well to keep it clean so far."