Off Balance

Chapter 8 (Rewrite)

Hey y'all, I chose to rewrite this chapter because I really did not like how the original turned out and it felt too far away from the writing style of this book. Please disregard the original completely. I am really sorry if this is confusing for anyone. I hope you enjoy this rewritten chapter more. 

- Scarlett Olivia :)

I was still sleeping when we got to the house. Jill and Charlie dropped me off after informing me that Jill would pick me up at lunchtime tomorrow. They took my truck keys and cell phone with them. Dad helped me to my bedroom and into bed, setting an alarm on the old clock for me.

I woke up to the sound of the alarm clock blaring at me with the most annoying sound known to man. It was all the way across my room so I had to get up to shut it off. The second I moved, I knew I was going to be sick. Not even bothering to turn the alarm off, I rushed to the bathroom. I was on the floor, throwing up when Dad walked in. He grabbed a rag and ran it under some water to have me wipe my face. He rubbed my back as I got sick again.

When I was finally finished, I rested my head in my arms on the toilet seat. I was worn out and had a terrible headache. Dad left to grab me a glass of water and some painkillers. I took them and with his help, stood up and got in the shower.

After my shower, I felt a lot better. I brushed my teeth before going to find Dad to tell him I was staying home.

"You really think that is smart?" he asked me.

I shrugged, "I feel like shit."

"That's your own damn fault. You're going. Hurry up and finish getting ready."

I rolled my eyes and went back into my room. I put on sweats and a t-shirt then laid down on my bed. All I wanted to do was go back to sleep and skip school today, but the words that Jill said to Jonathan were still echoing through my head.

"I will see to it that Andrew is not let off the hook for tonight," she had said. I also knew that she was still not happy that I was not punished for skipping school so often and for the things that I had said to her. I decided it was best that I did not rock the boat and make her even more upset.

"You ready, Drew?!" Dad called when it was time to go.

Jill had taken my keys and so there was no way that I was going to be able to convince Dad to give them back, at least not this morning. I still had hope she would give them to him tonight and I could talk him out of it by tomorrow at least.

I grabbed socks and then slipped on my Crocs and went to the living room. Dad was standing by the door, waiting for me. When we got to school, he reminded me that Jill would be picking me up again and that we would be having supper there again. I groaned and got out.

During school, I was having a hard time not falling asleep. The painkillers from earlier had finally kicked in and I was feeling a lot better but I was still super tired from being out all night. After several hours and a senior meeting, I was finally able to go home. As promised, Jill was there to get me.

"Hey Drew, how was school?" she greeted with a small smile.

"It sucked," I replied honestly.

"How are you feeling? Your dad said you were sick this morning."

"I feel better, but still not great," I told her as I leaned against the window.

"Well, that's to be expected with a hangover. When we get back to the house, I'll fix you lunch and then you can have a nap. Sound good?"

"Yes ma'am."

When we got to the house, I went in and sat at the table while Jill put together a grilled chicken salad. We ate at the table, not talking much. As soon as we were done, she took me upstairs and tucked me into my bed.

"I'll come wake you up in a couple hours. We still have a lot to talk about, young man."

"Yes ma'am. I am still really sorry for what I said to you. I'm thankful that you're in my life," I told her.

"Get some sleep, sweetheart," she kissed the top of my head and left the room, shutting the door gently behind her.

I laid awake for a while, thinking over the past week. My mom had been on my mind a lot lately and I was missing her. She sucked as a mother, but I still loved her and I will always miss her. It was for the better that she's gone because we don't have to worry about her being in a ditch somewhere, but it still sucks.

Eventually, I fell into a deep sleep, and when Jill came to wake me up, I was having a hard time pulling myself out of it.

"I know you're still tired, baby, but you have to get up so that you can sleep tonight. It's just about supper time."

"I'll sleep til morning," I mumbled as I rolled back over.

"That's not an option, baby. Sit up," she pushed.

I continued lying down.

"Andrew Oliver, I know that you are tired but if you don't get your butt out of this bed right now, I am going to go grab a wooden spoon to spank you with. This is your last chance."

"Jilllll," I whined.

"One...Two..."

"Okay, okay, I'm up," I sat up quickly so she would stop counting.

"Much better, get dressed and come downstairs," she ruffled my hair and left the room.

I rubbed the sleep from my eyes and sat at the edge of the bed for a moment, still trying to get my brain to work. Finally, I got up and headed downstairs.

"Will you make some tea for us to drink, please?"

"Yes ma'am."

I put a pot of water on the stove to boil and sat down at the table.

"Are you feeling normal again now?"

"Yes ma'am."

Jill nodded. After a few moments, I stood back up, put the tea bag in the boiled water, and measured out the sugar. Jill was finishing up the rest of supper and setting the table as I was mixing the tea together.

Charlie came in just as soon as we had everything on the table, and Dad was not too far behind him. Charlie kissed Jill and then came over and hugged me. Dad also gave me a side hug and asked how my day had been.

We sat down and Charlie said grace before we began to make our plates, well bowls. Jill had made potato soup with all the toppings and cornbread. We all talked about our days and Dad was talking about this big contract that he was trying to land. When supper was over, Jill and I carried away the dishes and I stacked them in the dishwasher while she got out dessert. I knew that soon they were going to want to talk to me about last night, and I was hoping to delay that conversation as much as possible.

When we went back in there, Dad and Charlie immediately dropped the conversation, making me assume they were talking about me, which probably wasn't good. We all enjoyed Jill's peach cobbler and ice cream before Jill insisted that Dad and I move to the living room while Charlie and Jill finished cleaning up the dessert mess.

After we had sat down, Dad turned to me and put his hand on my knee, "Listen, Bub, I am going to let Jill and Charlie take care of what happened yesterday and last night. I know that I have been a very shitty Dad to you, especially when you were younger, but I do love you. I cannot bring myself to discipline you, but that is what you need."

Internally, I groaned. If he was letting Jill and Charlie handle it, there was a 0% chance that I would be able to avoid being punished. This day just got even shittier. 

****THIS CHAPTER WAS A REWRITE****