Salty Licorice

Chapter 26

Marisa's POV

"Mateo, get out of my room," I growl at him.

"You ate all the goldfish, what am I supposed to eat now," He whines at me.

"Mateo, what part of getting out of my room don't you understand?" I stand up and speed walk over towards him grabbing him by his shirt and dragging him out of my room. "Stay out of my room. And I don't know, what do you want, like a sandwich or something?"

"No, I wanted goldfish, but some asshole decided to eat them all," He snaps at me.

I glare down at him, making him coward away from me. "Just because dad isn't home doesn't mean you can curse at me. You know my rule, don't swear at me, I don't care if you curse, just don't do it to me."

"Fuck you," He snaps at me.

"What is wrong with you!?" I stare at him with anger and frustration bubbling. "What part of, don't go in my room and don't curse at me, is not getting through that thick skull of yours?"

"Don't treat me like a kid," He walks away from me and I follow him into the kitchen. My high is officially ruined.

"I'll treat you like a kid if you keep acting like one."

"So should I treat you like a drug addict then?" He snarks back. "Marisa I love and care for you very much but you have a problem and need help," He fakes concern, clearly being sarcastic.

"No, don't you dare," I snap at him, holding a hard glare. "Don't argue with me and do as I say." I start pulling out the bread and stuff to make him a sandwich.

"You're not Mom, so stop acting like it," He growls at me with my back turned to him. "I had one, I don't need another one."

I just stare at the counter, feeling my scowl breakdown slowly. I finish the sandwich without uttering a word and I'm too scared to breathe to deep as to not make a sound. I put the sandwich on a plate and pulled out a hidden box of goldfish and pour some on the plate before setting it on the island in front of him silently, I never look him in the eyes the whole time. I just turn and walk away back towards my room, slamming my door when I get inside. I sit at my desk and run my hands through my hair trying to fight myself from crying.

Why does it still hurt after 4 years? I take a deep breath and try to read the book I've been reading through but I can't seem to focus. I keep looking at the picture frame standing on my desk of my mom and I during the last Christmas before her car accident. I slap the frame face down, so I don't have to look at it anymore. I whip my book across my room, feeling so frustrated. This must be how Avery feels everyday, because this is the only feeling that makes me want to break anything. Anger, and frustration. I guess I'm still in the middle of the grieving process.

I hear a tentative knock on my door. "Risa?" I hear Mateo at my door with a soft voice. "Risa, I'm sorry. I took it too far bringing mom up. I just got mad. Risa, please don't hate me."

I stand up and walk to my door, opening it seeing my brother with his head down fiddling with his fingers. I pull him into a hug, that I didn't know I needed till now. I hold him tightly and try to make the pain on my face and behind my eyes dissipate before having to confront him. Blinking my eyes to make the tears dry on there own. I pull back from the hug holding him at arms length with my hands still on his shoulders

"I'm not mad at you, just upset. I'm not trying to act like mom or replace her, I just don't want you to turn out like me so that's why I might seem strict about some weird stuff," I explain.

I let him go and he nods his head. "Are we going trick or treating later?"

"Sure."

"Cool, is Avery coming?" He asks with hope, clearly moving on faster then me.