What Is Left Behind

1.5

I rode home with my mom and just watched everything pass by out the window. I don't speak much with my mom. So silent car rides are common with us.

By the time dad called us down for dinner, I was almost finished with half my homework. Shutting my door and getting to work was my speciality. So I can relax the rest of the night. I used to go over to Isadora's where her house is the opposite from my house. Loud and chaotic. The only noise in my house is the muffle bass of my brother's music and the low, soft jazz my parents play while cooking.

At the dinner table we just eat. No small talk. My dad only spoke once.

"Where is Wells?" He asks my mom, who just shrugs. He then turns to me. "Allie, did you get your brother?"

I shook my head. "He can hear you call for dinner."

My dad lets out a tired sign and sets his fork down roughly. That noise makes my mom look up from her plate in annonce. She glares at my dad before turning towards me.

"Allison, you can watch your tone." She snaps.

"Sorry."

"If your brother doesn't want to join us for dinner, that's fine. He knows the rules."

The rule in question, don't eat dinner with everyone, no dinner at all that night. They use to lock the fridge and cabinets to make sure this rule is enforced. They claim it's to teach us to have a nice, loving family dinner. What they don't know is Wells hides food in his room for us.

"Now, did you talk with your coach today?" Mom asked once dad started to eat again.

"Yes ma'am." I mumbled picking at my peas.

"And?"

"And she said I can join the team when I'm ready."

"Perfect. Since you'll both have afternoon practice, you can take the bus home."

"About that. I -"

"Oh, don't forget like your brother does. The last bus to run this far is at five-thirty. Y'all will have to take that until we can get Wells another car."

"Yes ma'am, but I don't think I'm playing this season."

This time my mom stopped eating. She watched me with her icey blue eyes. I didn't get her vibrate crystal eyes like my siblings. I got the dull, dark blue that is not special.

"And why is that?"

"I just don't want to play right now."

"And how else will you get scholarships? Sponsorships?"

"I'll start up for the spring. I just want to take one season off."

"Don't be silly, Allison."

"Mom, I'm not. I'm just tired and I want to focus on school."

"I'll talk to Coach Gavin then. I know she will disagree with you." My mom pushed ignoring me. "Allison, the only way to get through a rough patch is to push through."

"This isn't a rough patch!" I raised my voice. Now I was the noise. "I'm tired. My body hurts. I don't want to play anymore."

"And what will you do!" My mom shouted back.

"Art! School! Be a normal kid! I don't know, mom, but I know I want a small break."

"You are making a rash decision." My mother decided. "Go to bed and when you wake up you'll see. You are nothing without tennis."

I want Isadora's type of noise. She said it is annoying with seven loud boys who are as crazy as her aunt. Deep down I know she loves it. Deep down she would never give up that type of noise for my type of noise. Laughter for shouts.