Although Tanner offered me a ride three times that night, I had decided to walk instead. I hadn't walked to work like I usually did and I wanted to keep up my exercise routine. Also I was determined to find a way to make myself hate Tanner and riding in his car wouldn't help my case, I know it's childish, but I was determined.
We waved goodnight to each other and Marybeth waved us off from inside the store, she had decided she was going to stay a little late tonight, which actually means she's going to get too tired from working overtime and get too lazy to get up to drive home and end up falling asleep in the bookstore...again.
As I walked across the empty boardwalk, I looked at the sun as it was setting, it's bright sun rays dimming into the ocean's ripples, hiding whatever mysterious creatures were looming under the glossy, dark seawater. The wooden planks of the boardwalk creaked under my feet with each tiring step, the creaking of the planks and the sloshing of the ocean water against the sand relaxed my mind. For once, I was able to enjoy Mother Nature.
Ignoring the burning sea salted smell that drifted through the wind, I walked back home, scrutinizing at the ground, trying to find little seashell pieces that somehow snuck their way into the concrete. I made it home in regular time, but something was odd about the house when I got there...the lights were on.
As I opened the garage, a growing image of a shiny, familiar blue Subaru appeared parked in front of me. I couldn't believe my eyes. Was this possible?
I ran inside and was instantly hit with the aroma of the familiar, delicious scent of chicken pot pie. Which only meant one thing: Mom's home.
You know how I said I got a lot of my dad's traits? Well that's true. But I actually look a lot like my mom too. Or I guess the word to describe us would be...identical. I'm basically just a younger version of her. I've got the same light brown skin tone. Same caramel colored hair. The same tall and lanky frame. And freakishly... the same dimpled smile.
"Mom?!" I exclaimed as I ran into the kitchen. A tall woman turned around as she took a mouthwatering, brown crusted pie out of the oven, steaming at its top. Her long, caramel-colored hair whip around as she turned towards me with a dimpled smile.
"Surprise!" She exclaimed, bouncing up and down. I ran over and gave her a quick hug (she's basically the only one I'm okay having physical contact with), she smelt of hospital and hand sanitizer but the scent of chicken, flour and mixed vegetables smothered the smell.
"Why are you home so early?" I ask eagerly, secretly trying to snatch a bit of the crust from the pie, but she smacks my hand away before I can.
"Dr. Reynolds is letting me have the night off," she says as she sits on a stool at the counter, I follow her and do the same. "I decided that since I'm not going to be home much anymore, I'd make a special meal, so I made your favorite: chicken pot pie."
"Your the best," I smiled at her as I put my backpack down on the ground "How long till we eat?"
"I guess we could eat now." She shrugged and looks at her watch. "Grey's Anatomy comes on in a little bit, can't miss that!"
I rolled my eyes. Of course a cardiologist's favorite tv show would be Grey's Anatomy. So predictable.
I put the oven mitts on, brought the steaming pie to the counter and placed two metal forks next to it. Who needs plates? It's fricken chicken pot pie!
We dug in and may I say, I think I was in tastebud paradise. The warm, soft chicken was seasoned perfectly, along with the mixed vegetables, each bite was like chewing my way through heaven.
After 3 minutes and 47 seconds of complete silence and chowing down, my mom cleared her throat and put her fork down.
"So," she smiles as she nudges me on the shoulder playfully "how's school so far?"
"Fine," I say with my mouth full, I try my best to avoid eye contact with her. Those demonic eyes could read into your soul and find out all of your secrets in one single stare.
"That's it?" She says crossing her arms "It's just 'Fine'? Have you met any new friends? Do you have any favorite teachers? Any favorite classes? Any favorite...boys?"
I choked and banged my chest to stop the coughing. She. Didn't.
"Mom!" I coughed "you almost made me upchuck my pie! And boys? Really?Did you seriously ask that question, Mom?"
"Sorry!" She blushed, but you could barely tell because her flawless, brown skin hid any sight of redding in her cheeks. "We just don't talk as much as we used to. I want to know what's going on in your life! I want to be a part of your life as you grow into womanhood!"
I groaned and put my head on the granite countertop. He womanhood speech.
"What?" She asks innocently and pinches my cheek "Does my little Ali-waly have a little crush?"
"Okay, Mom!" I pushing my chair back and putting my fork down "You and I have already been down this road. Many, many times. When I am actually attracted to one of the masculine specimen I will tell you! Trust me, you'll be the first to know. Although I cannot see me ever being coquettish with one of those stupid, sweaty, lustful, horny males." I shudder at the thought of it.
"Alright, Waly" she sighs as she gives up "I just don't want you keeping secrets from me. Okay?"
"Alright," I murmur and try to focus on my pot pie. But something keeps tugging the back of my mind. I feel like I should tell her about what happened earlier today at the bus stop. She says to never keep anything from her, especially if it's a medical emergency. I'm not sure if it's an emergency, but I think she should still know.
"Hey, Mom?" I ask suddenly looking up from my pot pie
"Yeah, sweetheart?" She replies as she slows her chewing. She finally looks me in the eyes, her big, beautiful brown eyes, I try to look away but I can't. It's like their urging me to tell the truth, tell her what's happened (that evil woman). So I do.
"Mom, I had an episode today." I say and then begin to start speaking fast, big realizing a word that comes out of my mouth "I don't know why it happened. I took my medicine Mom, I swear I took my pills. I was walking to the bus stop and waited for the bus to come as usual. But it was late, not like a couple seconds late, but minutes. My mind started questioning things and putting thoughts into my head that I didn't want. I felt like...like I was going...crazy. Mom--"
"Waly, shh" She shushed me and embraced me into a hug. Her physical contact was actually comforting, her body heat kept me calm and warm. After a while she asks "How'd you make it stop, you know, without any help?"
"I-I..." I thought about lying and telling her that I just took deep breaths, but she's a doctor and knows that would be a lie. So I had no choice but to tell the truth "I pictured Dad in my head. One of my last moments with him."
My mom stops stroking my hair and looks down at the floor for a while. She she looks back up at me, she gives me a weak smile. But her eyes are rimmed with tears. I knew I shouldn't have told her.
"Will you excuse me?" My mom gives me a sad smile. I let her go, I know the one thing she hates is breaking down in front of me. That's one thing I learned as I grew up.
I put the dishes in the dishwasher and wrapped the pot pie in some foil and put it in the fridge. I knew she was done eating, if she wanted, she could warm up anything later on tonight
I went upstairs to shower and then went straight to bed. But all night I couldn't sleep because I could still hear my mother sniffling and sobbing through the walls. And what pained me the most is that I didn't know what to do about it.
I didn't know what to do.
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This chapter is sooo short! I know, trust me I know. I've been super busy and I swear, I've been working on the story when I can. Hope y'all like it! Keep readin'!
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The Good, The Bad, and The Genius(ON HOLD)
Teen FictionWith ADHD, OCD and a very cynical mind for a girl her age, antisocial Alex finds it very hard to cooperate with teens her age these days. With nothing but music and a passion for learning to accompany her through high school, she doesn't exactly fit...