A Tribute For Tia

Chapter 3

My shrink appointment was the next day. I turned up early, just to make a good impression on Doctor Taylor. I wasn't sure if Taylor was his first name or surname, but I thought it rude to ask so I didn't.

"Hello, Alistair. It's been over two months since our last meeting. How have you been going?"

"What, like have I been depressed?" I asked, more rudely than I intended. "I don't know how many times I have to tell you, doctor, but I'm not depressed. I just really like sad songs."

"Not this again." He sighed, rolling his eyes. "It's not about that song, Alistair. You mother has told me that you didn't go to school yesterday. Why not?"

Oh, great. "I did go to school yesterday." I lied. "Who's to say I didn't?"

"The attendance." He said, glaring. "We know you weren't there. Did you not go because your thoughts were too much?"

"I'm not sitting through this. I have rights."

"Alistair, please-"

"I'm only seeing you because of that one time that my parents actually decided to come up to my room and check on me. I'm surprised my mother even noticed I wasn't there. I mean, she never notices anything else."

"Your parents are just busy. I'm sure if you talked to them, they'd understand."

"Ha. If I ever had the chance, I would. But they're never there."

"As I said before, I'm sure they'll have the time-"

"Later. I know." I groaned, then stood. "Time's up, Doc. Hope that was worth the million dollars my father is paying you."

"It's only been ten minutes." He said, standing as well. I had to look up at him usually, but I decided not to. "Alistair, you can't leave yet."

"It's a free country." I murmured, making sure to open and slam the door as loudly as I could when I left, parting with Doctor Taylor with no more than that.

***

"Alistair! Get down here right now!"

"I'm coming!" I yelled back to her, for what felt like the thirtieth time. I could have gone down there right away, but I was in the middle of a song -so I stayed on my bed for as long as I could, stretching the time limit my mother had silently given me. In a few moments I was down in the kitchen, watching as she scrambled around the kitchen, trying to find something.

"What are you looking for?" I asked her. She spun around on her heel and crossed her arms at me, apparently no longer needing what she wanted.

"I'm looking for you." She said, scowling. She seemed to be permanently frowning; or at least, whenever I saw her. "Where were you all day?"

"At the therapist. Like you told me to."

"Not today, Alistair. Yesterday, when you were meant to be in school."

"They must've mucked up the attendance. I was there, trust me. We did algebra in math class."

"You're lying." She said, walking up to me. Even with her heels on she was only up to my ears, her red hair always tied high on her head as if to add some height. I had no idea if red was her natural colour, but I was far too modest to ask.

"I always know when you're lying."

"No, I'm not." I protested, looking down at her with a look that I hoped screamed don't you trust me?

"Please, son. Stop missing school."

"Huh, fine." I growled, walking back towards my room before she could continue. I heard her sigh and go back to banging around the kitchen, calling out to me a few minutes after that she was going back to work for an urgent meeting, and that she wouldn't be back until late. When I knew she was gone, I snuck down the hall and slipped into my sister's room. She was sitting on her bed, her back to the door. Her hair was out and ratty, long dark curls cascading down her back. She didn't turn around when I shut the door behind me, and only acknowledged me with a grunt as I sat down next to her.