One more chance

Chapter 8

'Fine.'
I said after my dad made the most stupid declaration ever.

'Don't worry Riley, everything will be just fine. Promise.' I had said to Riley. 'Now let's go upstairs so you can go to bed, and I can work things out with mom and my dad ok?'
She nodded.
'Let's go.'
After making sure she was asleep in her bed, I went to the living room.
It was a mess. The coffee pot was empty and used, as well as the 3 cups on the table, there were pillows from the couch spread on the floor all over the room -clearly, my mother had lost her temper- and in concern with the people in the room, they were all with the most tired and annoyed look ever.
'Seriously? C'mon people! Aren't you a bit civilized!' That was my first reaction to that ridiculously messy scene.
'I was just reacting to what your "oh so perfect daddy" said' my mom screamed.
'Mom, please. I bet it was nothing, but you, only thinking about the only mistake he made, overreacted. Isn't that right?'
'Well, he made 2 mistakes, one 9 months before the other.'
Silence.
'Really mom?! I'm a mistake now?'
'Parker...I'm sorry, I didn't mean that.'
'No mom, I think you just didn't mean to say that.' I said to mom, then turning to Alex.
'So, what did you say to get mom turn this house upside down at 4:30 in the morning?'

'Parker.'
'No, don't worry. I totally get it. Too much commitment for you right?'
'Please, try to understand my position here.'
'Just, go ahead. Go live your life with that girlfriend of yours. I should've known better when I started looking for you. I should've known that both my parents would never turn out to be the parents I dreamed of.'
'Don't talk like that about me young lady. I gave you the best education you could have possibly dreamed.'
'Yeah, I know! Thanks, by the way, But that's not the point. You just said I'm a mistake. That's not a very motherly thing to say.'
'Ok! I admit it!'
Silence.
'Sometimes, when I see you, the only thing I can remember is that you were never supposed to be born.'
More Silence.
'And, that you kind of ruined my life.'
'Seriously Mom?! I knew you were kinda bitch, but I never thought you were THAT selfish.'
'No I'm not!'
'Yes, you are! You just said I ruined your life. What about Riley, uh? Did she ruin your life too? Because, as far as I know, neither of our lives were planned.'
'Don't talk like that!' John finally said, after a long while of just listening to what these 2 had to say.
We heard little soft footsteps approaching. Oh shit, I thought, I didn't just say that.
'Is it true mom? I'm a mistake?'
But instead of comforting her, my mom just stood there, silent, knowing that the answer wouldn't fix anything.
Riley ran upstairs.
'Thanks a lot Sarah.' That was the first time I didn't call her by "mom". And by calling her that, she just looked as a stranger to me, watching from the outside my family, Riley and me.
I rushed upstairs to her room, and found her curled up in her bed, covered up with her sheets, crying.
'I'm sorry, you weren't supposed to hear that.'
'I know.' She said whispering with effort.
'I thought you were asleep.'
'I was, but... I couldn't... mom... she' Riley held it as long as she could, then, she cried.
'Don't worry, everything's gonna be just fine.' I said softly kneeling beside her bed.
And while she uncovered to reveal just her eyes full of tears and red cheeks, footsteps approached. For a moment I thought it was Sarah, trying to fix things, but instead, my dad appeared beside the door.
'Can you watch her? I have to do something'
'Sure.'
'Don't worry. He's gonna be nice. Take care.' I said to Riley, and after a goodnight kiss, I left, knowing exactly who was the person I was going to meet. Or so I thought.