My Weekly Horoscope

Chapter 5

The napkin was uneven it seemed, as I had rearranged it several times so it would be perfectly folded into a triangle. The waitress had sloppily laid it down in front of me in the shape of a square, all though I'm pretty sure that squares had four EVEN sides. Whatever, the napkin should have been the least of my worries. My mother had asked me to meet her for dinner so that we could discuss Preston. I hadn't wanted to sit through the talk with her, but if it was for my brother than I would bare through it. 

After all, I would do anything for him. I had to do anything for him because my parents didn't do enough. They thought I worried too much or something. Actually last year they put me on Anxiety pills because I would wake up in the middle of the night, screaming Preston's name over and over again. I had been having nightmares that he was hurt or killed and they were always just bad dreams, but when I woke up I still would have a rush of worry over his well being. I needed him to be ok. But so what if I worried about my brother all the time? At least I worried. My parents were always so busy with themselves they were never around to hold him when he had nightmares (which I was beginning to think was hereditary). In fact, no one was there for him to practice soccer and baseball in the backyard. Aren't fathers supposed to help their sons play catch?

Speaking of fathers, I noticed as my mother sat down at our table that my dad was not with her. She then informed me he wouldn't be joining us. It seemed they had something that had to be dealt with at work. 

As my mother sat down, I saw a strand of hair sticking out from her pony tail. I reached across the table and tucked it behind her ear. I knew it annoyed her when I did this which I'm pretty sure was usually my reasoning.

"So, what are we going to talk about today, mother?" I fiddled with my napkin once more, "What would you like to discuss?"

I could tell she didn't like my attitude, but ignored me as she said, " We need to talk about Preston, Ashton."

"What about him?" The waitress who couldn't fold napkins sat two waters in front of us as I stared at my mother, daring her to continue.

"And what can I get you two this evening?" She had that fake smile that all waitresses have plastered on their faces.

"I'm not sure we're quite ready yet, thank you," My mother also had a similar smile on her face as if she was mimicking the waitress. But as the waitress turned and left us, my mother turned back to me with a face not nearly as pleasant, "Ashton, I just want to let you know that you needn't worry about Preston because your father and I are more than capable of taking care of him..."

"Oh that's great! Maybe you could act on that statement next time Preston needs to be taken to soccer practice."

"He doesn't need to be taken. He is more than capable of walking there from school by himself." Now she just sounded like Tally. Was no one concerned for his well being but me?

"Mom," I began a little bit louder than I would have liked, "Preston is 9 years old. I doubt you would know that though,, since you were busy not working on his birthday last year."

"Now you just stop right there! You know I work very hard for my family. Me and your father both!"

"It's your father and I both, not..."

"And I think that you," She continued ignoring my statement, " Should show us a little more respect."

"What?" Once again I spoke a little bit louder than I expected, "You expect respect from me?"

"You are damn right I do. I don't know if you remember, but I brought you in this world. And since the day I did, I never sensed a hint of gratitude." I was completely shocked at my mother's words.