To Throw It All Away

Chapter Twelve: A Strong Word

I didn't speak a word to Mom on the car ride home. She could burn in hell for all I cared. She made several attempts to talk to me, but this was a free country and according to the Bill of Rights, I had the right to remain silent despite how much she pushed.

I went straight up to my room when we reached home. She didn't ground me, but I didn't want to have to look at her stupid face for another minute after being in the car with her for half an hour. I could hear music playing in Maddie's room next door, signaling that she was home.

I sat in my room and stared up at the ceiling. I didn't turn on the TV or get on the computer. If Mom wanted to be miserable, I would be miserable. The last place I wanted to be was in this stupid house but until I was eighteen, she had a right to control me. It sucked.

Mom and Maddie ignored me until it was time for lunch. Mom had made mac and cheese but I had no appetite. I was too angry to go out and eat. I had a box of granola bars on my nightstand that I could snack on if I got hungry. Eating wasn't worth having to leave my room and interact with my family.

"Come on, it's time to eat." Maddie insisted after I resisted the first three times.

"I said I'm not hungry.""Mom says you have to come and I have to help you down the stairs."

"I can get down the stairs by myself, thank you very much."

"Then come..." My sister left but I didn't follow her. This provoked Mom to come up.

"I'm tired of your games, Mackenzie. Come eat. Your dad said you didn't have breakfast." For some reason, she was always convinced that Maddie and I were going to starve ourselves.

"No. I'm not hungry."

"Look, I know you're angry with me, but this is the best place for you. Your dad isn't properly suited to care for a child."

"I'm not a child!" I protested angrily. Dad was a better parent than she was. He wasn't always knocking me down to build Maddie up. "I'm thirteen years old and I don't need you!" She rolled her eyes.

"Whatever. Come eat. I wouldn't have let you twist your ankle."

"Dad was just letting me have fun! Something you never do!" She looked offended.

"That's bullshit, Mackenzie!" She shouted, defending herself because deep down she knew it was true.

"Whatever! You know it's true!"

"It is not! Come eat your lunch! I'm not playing these games with you!"

"No!"

"Mackenzie Frances Ziegler!"

"Leave me alone! I hate you!" Her face turned from anger to hurt and she trailed out of my room defeated, instantly making me feel guilty.