In My Rearview Mirror, JACK.HUGHES

NINE

"Are you even listening to us?" My mom's frustration is palpable as she agitates her fingers in front of my face, attempting to pull me back from the far reaches of my thoughts. The realization hits me, and I return to the present with a sheepish grin. 

"Gosh, I was far in my head," I admit, giggling lightly as I go back to my plate, taking another bite of the delicious meal.

"Well, at least you're enjoying Ced's cooking," she replies, a hint of a smile breaking through her initial frustration.

I playfully point at my brother Ced's pasta, attempting to lighten the mood. "Yeah, It's really good, Ced, by the way."

"Thanks," he says, a grin spreading across his face. "Always happy to be the family chef."

My dad interjects, his disbelief evident in his voice, "So what I was saying is that Michael and Ray were so mad that they fired Robert."

The news hangs in the air, causing a momentary pause in the lively discussion. My family members exchange glances, processing the unexpected revelation.

"Fired Robert? Seriously?" My sister's disbelief colors her tone.

"Yeah, can you believe it?" my dad replies, shaking his head. "It was quite a scene at the office."

"Wait, why did they fire him?" I ask, breaking the silence.

My mom, still slightly agitated, shoots me a look before shaking her head. "Honestly, sometimes you're in a world of your own," she says, her voice a mix of frustration and amusement.

"Sorry about that," I chuckle, realizing the effect my wandering thoughts have had on the dinner conversation.

Ced, ever the peacemaker, interjects, "It's okay, Mom. Let's not ruin a good meal over a little daydreaming."

My dad leans back, sighing. "It's okay Sophie. Apparently, Michael and Ray were furious about something, and they decided to take it out on Robert. It's a mess."

I shoot my mom a furious look, the unspoken tension lingering in the air like a storm on the horizon. Our relationship has always been a complex dance, a tango of emotions that can swing between being my best friend and my fiercest enemy. The echoes of our teenage arguments still reverberate in my memory.

These days, things are different, mostly smoother. Most of the time, we manage to navigate the twists and turns of our relationship with a surprising level of harmony. But tonight, a discordant note has crept in, disrupting the usual rhythm. The frustrated flicker in her eyes meets my defiant glare, and for a moment, it feels like we're back in the midst of those heated disagreements from years past.

The complexities of our relationship surface, reminding us that, despite the progress we've made, there are still moments when we find ourselves on opposite sides.

 I rise, drawn to the task of clearing them away. The clinking of dishes becomes a background melody to the conversations around me, but my mind is somewhere far beyond, lost in a cosmic dialogue with the universe.

Mom shoots me a serious look, and I can feel the unspoken question in the air. She knows my mind is wandering tonight, but it's not the usual distraction. My sister exchanges a glance with Ced, a silent acknowledgment that something's off.

As I continue with the dishes, my mom joins me, her hands plunging into the soapy water. There's a shared silence between us, broken only by the clinking of plates and the rush of water.

Mom glances at me, her eyes narrowing in response to the look I shot her earlier. "What's with the look?" she asks, a note of irritation in her voice.

I take a deep breath, trying to keep my emotions in check. "You didn't have to call me out like that in front of everyone," I reply, the frustration slipping into my tone, sharper than intended.