Middle Child Syndrome- Ian Gallagher

parenting parents

Linda had to drop her kids off for the swim team, but her husband, Kash, came in, briefly interviewed me, gave me paperwork to fill out, and I got the job. During my shift, I noticed a bit of hostility between Ian and Kash, and because my curiosity got the best of me, I asked Ian. 

"I know it's none of my business, but is everything okay with Kash? He seemed a little snippy earlier," I said. 

Ian and I watched as a woman with a full-body burqa walked in and to the back where storage was. 

"It's a long story," Ian said, "And one for when we know each other better."

"What's that supposed to mean?"

"Oh, come on. Like you don't have stuff that you don't feel comfortable sharing with me just yet."

I sighed, "Yeah, you have a point. I'm sorry."

"Don't worry about it."

A few minutes later, the woman came out and the face mask fell, revealing that it wasn't a woman, but a man instead. Shortly after, Kash came out and joined us behind the register. 

"Your fly is down," Ian said as Kash frantically fixed himself. I went over to fix a shelf to pretend like nothing was going on registered. 

So, as far as I gathered, Kash was closeted, and he was cheating on his pregnant wife. Wow, stellar guy. And that was before I knew about whatever happened between him and Ian. 

The dude came back towards the end of our shifts, and when Kash came out this time, he started crying. He was talking to Ian about how his whole life is a lie and that he can't do it anymore. I was uncomfortable, to say the least. 

A few minutes later, we both clocked out and walked home.

"Sorry you had to witness that, especially since it's your first day and all," Ian said.

"It's ok," I said, "I've witnessed far worse. Believe me. Are you working tomorrow?"

"Yup," he said, "Let's head over together again, yeah?"

I smiled and nodded, "Sure. Sounds good. I'll see ya."

"See ya!"

We crossed different sides of the road and inside our houses. 

When I came in, I saw my mom finishing off a glass of wine. Not only that, but her mascara was all over her face, and she was sniffling a bit.

"Mom?"

She turned and cracked a smile, "Hi, sweetie. Did you find a job today?"

"Yeah," I said, "I got hired, and I'm working at a convenience store with our neighbor, Ian."

"Oh, that's amazing," she said, hugging me and holding me tight, "You know I love you, right, Athena?"

"Of course, Mom," I said, not confused at all about where this was coming from. 

My mom had depression and was also an emotional human, so a depressed mood with alcohol always meant crying and getting emotional.

"I'm sorry that I don't say it enough," she said, crying, "And I'm sorry I'm not as good a mom as you deserve."

"Mom, hey, don't say that!" I said, "You're fine. You're enough."

"I'm trying, baby. I'm really trying," she said, kissing the top of my head. After last summer, my mom constantly asked me if she had anything to do with what happened, and I felt horrible that she put that on herself.

"Man, it's still so hard to believe you're a natural blonde."

I laughed. Troy and Persephone had dark brown hair and brown eyes, but I had blonde hair and blue eyes. When I was younger, I was convinced I was adopted, until everyone told me I was my father's daughter. Sadly, I agreed with them.  

______________________________________________________________

The next morning, I walked with Ian to work.

"So, how was the rest of your day?" Ian said. 

"In between almost burning the chicken for dinner and having to console my drunk mom, pretty mediocre," I said, "How about you?"

"Well," he chuckled, "You know how I said my dad's a complete asshole?"

"Sure."

"He lost our baby brother, Liam, in a bet, and we had to get him back and pay the guys what he owed them."

"Shit!" I said, "So, your dad's like a total douche?"

"Bingo," he said as we walked into the store. 

The dude with the burqa came in, and Kash slowly followed him. Linda came in on the intercom and asked for Kash, and when Ian and I went to go get him, he came out with a burqa.

"Athena, Ian, can you do me a favor?" Kash said, "Can you give me a bit of a head start?"

"You're leaving?" Ian asked, looking at the suitcase in his hand.

"Linda's got preeclampsia. The OB wants her in bed for the rest of her pregnancy," Kash explained, "I can't do it. An hour? Two? Please?"

As Kash left, Ian asked what he was going to say to his kids, to which he didn't get a response. 

Ian and I looked at each other, unsure of what to do next.