Middle Child Syndrome- Ian Gallagher

happy thanksgiving

If someone asked me what my least favorite holiday was, without even thinking, I'd say Thanksgiving. Thanksgiving was supposed to be all about family and being thankful for each other, but instead, it was my mom going batshit on everyone and having breakdowns because she always did all the cooking. 

But oh! God forbid you try and help her because she'll get even angrier!!

"Troy, for the ten thousandth fucking time!" My mom yelled, "Wrap the butter up when you're done! There are other people in this fucking house who use it!"

"Mom, it's ok-

"Athena! Stop! Please, just let me do what I need to!"

"Mom!" I said, "I'm just trying to help! You don't need to do this every year! This holiday is about family spending time together and being happy! So, why are you constantly screaming at us?!"

My mom threw her spoon down and looked at me, "When you have three kids and a husband who doesn't appreciate the shit you do for him, you get fed up, especially on a day like today."

I crossed my arms, knowing it was deeper than that. 

"Athena. Can I talk to your mother?" my dad said.

I nodded and left the kitchen. Even though the TV in the living room was loud because Troy was watching Family Guy, I could still hear my parents arguing. About what? Not sure. 

Dinner was how it always was. Awkward, tense, all that good stuff. My mom was shitfaced. Probably on her fourth glass of wine.

She was about to pour another when I stopped her.

"I think that's enough," I said. 

"Athena Delaney Johnson," she said, "Do not tell me what to do. I will decide when I've had enough."

I threw my hands up and surrendered, taking a bite of turkey. I sat at the table until I was done eating and then went upstairs.

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As I brushed my hair and got all the knots out, my mom leaned against the doorway. Her eyes were glassy, and I could tell she'd been crying.

"I'm sorry I yelled at you so much today, honey," she said, "It's not your fault."

"You're right. It's not my fault," I said coldly. 

My mom wiped her eyes and walked over to me, "This is purely a me issue, and I need to work it out. Honey, there are things about your father and me that you don't know, that none of you know."

I raised my eyebrows, "What things?"

"Things that I will tell you one day when you're ready. And when I'm ready."

"What does that mean?" I said, "Mom, you're worrying me."

"No, don't worry! Please, don't worry," she said, touching my face, "Just- I promise this will be the last Thanksgiving that turns out like this, and- and I'll tell you soon enough. But please, don't worry about this."

I didn't say anything back, but she kissed my forehead and moved my hair out of my face, "I should get some sleep. I'll see you in the morning, sweet girl."

I smiled softly as she left my room. I didn't know what to make of what my mom just told me, but I figured it best to wait until she was ready to tell me whatever she needed to tell me. 

I resumed with my skin care and getting ready for bed when someone knocked on the door.

"Yea?"

The door opened, and there was Ian. Teary-eyed and gloomy-looking. 

I got up and walked over to him, "What happened?"

He sat on my bed, still in a daze, so I closed the door and sat next to him. 

"My mom," he finally managed to get out, "She- she almost died."

"What?"

"We were all at the kitchen table. Happy. Eating as a family, and then we hear a thud from the other room, and-

He paused, and I held his hand as he struggled to make out words, and tears fell.

"And there she was," he said, "On the floor. Blood all over her hands and wrists and on the tile. We called 911, and she's in the hospital right now."

My body went numb trying to imagine the picture. I couldn't even begin to imagine how Ian felt having witnessed it. 

I said nothing back, knowing nothing I could say could make him feel better, so I just hugged him, and he buried his face in my chest as he started crying.

"I'm here, babe," I said, rubbing his back, "I'm here now. It's ok. She's in the hospital, and she has people taking care of her."

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We stayed like that for what felt like an eternity, until we got under the covers. I turned to hold Ian in my arms, but instead, he turned me around to face him. 

We started making out slowly, and he ran his hand through my hair.

Clothes came off until we were just skin-to-skin. Our tongues continued to fight for dominance before he pulled away and put his lips up to my ear.

"Can I eat you out?"

I nodded slowly before he moved his body down to my core, moving his tongue up and down my clit.

"Oh," I whispered, running a hand through his hair as I whimpered his name quietly. I had to be extra careful since my family was sleeping.

Ian sped up with his movements, making me throw my head back. For being so nervous about it, he was really good. 

A few seconds later, he got up and pulled a condom out of his jeans pocket. 

"Do you wanna? Um-

"Yes," I said, without hesitation.

"I love you, Athena," he said.

"I love you too, Ian."