Lost Cause (Tyler Carter)

Chapter 16

I woke up with my rage built up inside me. How could he do this to mom? How could he be such a worthless son of a bitch?

I went downstairs to get a cup of coffee.

Him and mom were sitting at the table, reading the paper and drinking coffee.

"Good morning, honey." Mom said.

"Good morning, mom." I said.

I walked over and kissed her on the forehead and hugged her.

She aw'd. "I never get hugs and kisses from you."

I shrugged.

"Good morning, son." Dad said.

I ignored him and poured a cup of coffee.

"Why did you get home so late?" He asked.

"Probably 'cause I had a track meet." I said. "How would you know when I got home if you were 'asleep'?" With sarcasm in my voice.

"We went to bed late and you still weren't home." He said.

I blocked him out and went back upstairs to get ready for school.

After I heard dad leave, mom came into my room.

"I need a favor from you." She said, sitting on the edge of my bed.

"Okay."

"I know that it's just you now, since Josh has moved out. I know that you probably think everything is about you since he's gone and we don't have anyone else to focus on."

"I don't think everything is about me." I said.

"Please don't become your brother. Don't take his place and be like him. You just treated your father exactly how Josh treated him."

"Don't take his place? I'm not trying to take his place, mom. Don't you see? Dad is a worthless piece of shit!" I yelled. "And don't try to make it seem like he was anything of a father to Josh."

"He is a father. He is the reason we are where we are right now."

"You've got that right! He's the reason we're fighting right now!" I yelled.

She stood up. "Don't do this, Tyler! Don't treat me and your father the way Josh did. I can't take that again!"

"Well, then don't treat me like I'm Josh!" I yelled. "I'm not Josh! He didn't tell you the truth! You want the truth?"

"Truth?"

"He's a liar and he's selfish. I heard him on the phone last night, mom." I said.

She gave me a confused look.

"He's cheating on you!" I yelled.

She was silent for a moment.

"No he's not!" She yelled. "I don't know why you and Josh hate him so much, but it's not that!"

"Mom," I said. "I am your son. Why would I lie about something like this?"

"I don't know, but get out! You can go stay somewhere else after school!"

"Are you serious? You're kicking me out?"

"Go!" She yelled.

I grabbed my school bag and made my way out the door.

I limped all the way to school because of my knee that I hurt yesterday. I was going to ask mom if she would drive me, but that wouldn't have gone well.

Eventually, I got to school. I sat on the steps and just let myself be down for a minute. Mom just kicked me out and I have no idea where I'm going to go after school.

"Hey, what's wrong?" I heard Rachel ask. I looked up to see her sitting next to me.

"I'm fine." I said.

"Tyler," She said. "seriously. What's going on?"

"I just need to be alone right now." I said.

"You know," She said. "if there is something wrong, you can talk to me about it."

I looked at her and nodded. "Talk to you about it? What do you want me to say?" I said. "You wouldn't understand the first thing that would come out of my mouth about what I go through. So, why don't you just go back to your perfect life. I don't need to be fixed, alright? I'm not some pity project."

She shook her head. "I didn't think that you were, Tyler." And with that, she got up and walked away.

The bell rang and I made my way to Mr. Jansen's class.

I sat in my seat next to Michael and Sara.

"Hey, man, I haven't seen you around." He said. "How was the meet yesterday?"

"It was good. I did something to my knee, though."

"That sucks. What did you get in the 400?" He asked.

"First."

"No way. Are you serious? In your heat or the whole thing.?"

"The whole thing." I said.

"Damn."

I nodded.

"Yo, what's wrong? I'd think you'd be stoked about this." He said.

I shrugged. "Nothin', I'm fine."

"Okay. Hope you're okay."

"Yeah, I'm good."