earth

chapter 44

I climb back inside the house, feeling exhausted and drained, Angela went to take a shower. I hear some yelling from the living room. I walk down the stairs, and see Clayton bleeding on his side while talking to his father.

"th-this guy....he tried to kill me!" That's all Clayton said when his father tried to question him.

"Why were you even at that crackhouse? I told you not to go back!" Matt shouts.

"Aren't you worried about how I almost died!?" Before Matt, could explain Clayton came walking up the stairs past me...Matt looks tired, Of everything...

Suddenly a hand slid across my chest, I quickly turn to see, It was his wife, Myra "He isn't a very understanding man" Her eyes filled with curiosity "I'm sure you are" I pick up her hand, setting it aside

"I would appreciate it if you didn't touch me" taking a step back, but she took two steps forward, putting both hands on my chest.

"What's the matter hm?"

"The matter is why do you have to be so damn close to me? and why do you have to touch me whenever you're talking to me?" moving now both of her hands off me...Walking down the staircase...But I can still feel her eyes burning a hole in the back of my head...I stop and dart at her returning the favor until she ran back into the shadows.

I walk down the stairs to the kitchen where I see a certain someone, She has one of those typical maid outfits...With her hair into a ponytail- She doesn't see me, not right now- But she's talking with another woman, The woman seems a bit older...Maybe around 30
I want to talk to her...All the time...I shook my head, In the distance- I see a flower...it's outside, It's a really nice flower- I walk towards it and notice it's a part of a house, Like a green room. I can hear the sound of birds chirping and the rustling of leaves in the wind. The scent of fresh flowers fills the air, and I take a deep breath, feeling refreshed and invigorated. The garden is well-maintained, and the flowers are arranged in a beautiful pattern.

Suddenly a familiar sound hit my ears, A whimper...I gulp, I don't want to turn around...I glance behind me and saw it was Matt, Just Matt...His eyes are bloodshot- and the evidence of his crying stains his shirt.

He's looking at me with suspicion. His arms crossed. with, a stern expression on his face. He asks, "What are you doing here? Why aren't you with my daughter?"

I feel a knot form in my stomach as I try to come up with an answer. I know I have to be careful with my words, or he might get even more defensive. I say, "She's sleeping. I didn't want to wake her up."

Matt's eyes dart around the room as if he is looking for something. I follow his gaze, but I can't see anything out of the ordinary. I ask, "Are you...okay?" I know it's a stupid question, but I don't know what else to say. He slaps his hands over his face, puts his head in his lap, and starts wailing. I feel a surge of panic and don't know what to do. I hesitate for a moment, then tentatively put a hand on his back, trying to comfort him. He doesn't push me away, but he doesn't stop crying either.

"My kids hate me" He hunches over, with his head in his hands

"Should I go..."

Taking his hands off his face to his mouth, biting his nails. "What have I done? I've done everything ...I gave them chance after chance...and this is what I get?" I'm guessing I can't leave.

"I- erm...It's okay to feel angry or upset, but it's not okay to blame yourself for everything. Remember that you're doing the best you can."

"I...I...I am?" he stammers. "My son is struggling with drug addiction, and my daughter has been diagnosed with a psychopathic personality disorder. And my wife? Well, let's just say that's a whole other story." His eyes came off the green plants into mines. "So, Is this my best?"