Off Balance

Chapter 6

After the movie was over, Jill told me that she had changed the sheets in my room and it was ready for me. I went upstairs to my room and laid down. I hadn't stayed the night here in a while, but when I was younger, I was here all the time. I still had some of my old toy trucks in the closet.

Jill came in a few minutes later and checked that I was comfortable. She tucked the blanket all around my body and sat down beside me, "I've missed you staying here. Remember when you always wanted me to tell you the story of the man needing a bandaid?"

I nodded with a laugh.

"You were the cutest kid. What happened to ya, ya little punk?" she played shoved my leg.

Lots of things happened but I wasn't going to go into detail with her so I just gave her my signature shit eating grin.

"Get some sleep, kiddo. I'll come wake you up in a couple hours."

She kissed my forehead and retreated from my room. I snuggled deeper into the covers and let them hold me as I drifted off.

Jill came back a couple hours later, "Wake up, baby."

I stretched and tried to focus on her but my eyes weren't cooperating yet. When they finally did focus, she was smiling warmly at me, "Your dad is almost here and supper is just about ready. Go get washed up."

I stretched again and then sat up, rubbing my eyes.

"Downstairs in five so you can set the table for us."

"Yes ma'am."

She left my room and I got up and went to the bathroom across the hall. After I splashed some water on my face, I went downstairs to do as I was told. As I was setting everything on the table, Dad and Charlie walked in. Charlie kissed Jill and came over and hugged me. Dad hugged Jill then looked at me and said, "Hey, Drew. Have a good day?"

I nodded and went back to what I was doing. I was expecting a fight between him and I later and I did not want to give him the impression that I was just letting his stunt from this morning go.

As soon as I was finished setting the table, Jill was asking me to help her put supper on the table. I carried over the plate of chicken and the macaroni and she grabbed the corn and potatoes.

Charlie said grace and we all piled our plates. Jill's fried chicken was something else. Dad and Charlie got to talking about my dad's business while Jill and I mostly stayed silent. I felt much better now that I had a nap, but I was still kind of tired. After dinner, Dad and Charlie headed outside while I helped Jill with the dishes.

"You've been quiet tonight. Something on your mind?" Jill asked me.

I shook my head, "Not really."

"Are you worried about your talk with your dad tonight? I know it can seem like everyone's against you, but really we're just trying to do what's best for you."

"I know."

"Alright, if you don't want to talk about it, I won't make you. How was your day with Rose the other day?" Jill changed the subject, clearly noting my tight-lipped responses.

"It was fun. We went to the movies and got lunch and hung out at her house."

"I'm glad you had fun. Were y'all safe?"

"Jill!"

"I'm not oblivious, baby. As much as I would rather you wait, I know that is unrealistic that you don't have sex. I just want you to be safe."

"We were safe," I mumbled.

"Good. How old is this girl again?"

"She's nineteen."

Jill smirked at me.

"What?! I'm almost eighteen."

"I didn't say anything," she held her hand up.

"How much older is Charlie than you?" I asked her.

"I was born in 1971 and he was born in 1967. I was seventeen when we met and he was twenty-one."

"That's not a bad age difference," I commented.

"Nope, it was just right."

At that moment, Dad and Charlie came back in.

"Ready to head home kid? I'm whooped."

I nodded and turned back to Jill to tell her goodbye. She hugged me tight and said she would see me tomorrow at the store. I hugged Charlie as well and we left.

We didn't talk on the way home. I was thinking about ways to win this argument we were about to have.  When we got inside, Dad handed me my keys and said, "Goodnight. Love you."

I was very confused. I thought that he was about to get me in trouble and that I was going to have to argue my case.

"What?" he asked when he saw my face.

"I, uh, thought... well Jill said... Nevermind."

He gave me a curious look, "Ok, goodnight."

He headed off to his bedroom and I stood there a moment in confusion before going to my room.

I woke up on time the next morning and went to school. After school, I went to work at the store. I went into the office to check in and Jill was there, doing books and inventory, the typical owner of the store things.

"Hey, baby! How was your day?" She asked, standing up to hug me.

"It's been ok. Have you been here all day?"

"Yep. How did last night go?" she smiled a sympathetic smile.

"I'm not in trouble," I responded.

"Was he hard on you?" Jill asked. I could tell that she was curious on whether or not my dad was actually going to start parenting.

"I wasn't punished at all."

"Excuse me?"

"No, we got home and he gave me my keys back and went to bed."

Jill sighed, "So I get to be the parent," she mumbled so low I just barely heard her, "Alright, so here is what is going to happen... I will be calling the school once a week to inquire about your attendance. If you are late, I will know. If you skip, I will know. I am not about to let you not graduate because you can't be bothered to show up. From now on, if I hear that you were late or that you skipped with no good reason, I will be punishing you. Do you understand?"

For some reason, that made me mad, "I don't need a mom, Jill!! I already had one of those and she's not here anymore. I have done just fine without a mother so stay in your lane as our landlady and my boss and let's call it a day. Thank you!" I stormed out of her office and slammed the door behind me.