Faults, Scars, and Guitar Strings

Chapter 34

Chapter 34

"Mom please?" I begged. "This could be a good thing for me. I'll have responsibility, you can visit whenever you want, and my friends will come over so I won't be alone."

"Why do you want this?" mom asked me. "Is it because David asked you or is it because you want to get away from us? You are still a teenager. We almost had to send you to rehab last year, do you think we forgot?"

"It's not any of those things," I said, "Yes I thought about it after David told me, but he's right. It's right down the road and there's a studio in my house so I can work on music without leaving my house. It has everything I need to be successful in school and in my career. I want this because I feel like it's the right decision. It's the ultimate test to see how well I have recovered in the last year. If it doesn't work out then I will move back in here and David can hire people to come in and clean it until I am ready. I know I scared you last year. I know I almost had to get checked into a rehab, but I feel okay now. I want to try this. I need to know."

Mom sighed and looked over at dad, "What do you think?"

I could smell a slight scent of alcohol on his breath as he spoke, "I think you've been through a lot, you have a good head on your shoulders, so if you think it's the right decision then we should trust you."

"Really?" I perked up.

Dad nodded, "As long as you're sure, but we will be over to visit. We will have to set ground rules first."

"That's okay," I nodded, "I'd want you to."

Mom smiled, "Want me to help you with anything?"

"You can help me pack if you want," I suggested to her. "Dylan's going to help me buy new furniture and things."

"When are you going to move in?" she asked.

"Next weekend is the only weekend I won't have a meet for a while so I'm hoping then. I'll get packed throughout the week and I'll go shopping with Dylan too after practice a couple days this week and probably next weekend too. I want to get moved in before all my cross country meets start up."

"Good plan," she said, "I'll go find some boxes."

Dad stood up, "I have a few things to work on in my office."

I gave mom a look as dad walked into his office. "Don't start," she told me.

"How can you handle it?" I said. "He only comes out for minutes at a day."

She shrugged, "He needs to want help Kayla. Leave it alone."

"Okay," I took a deep breath. "Tell me about the rules. What are you thinking?"

She sighed, "I am sure your father will not be help with the rules. You cannot hire anyone to do the chores. You will do all of that yourself."

I nodded, "That's fair."

"During the week the only time you will invite friends over is if it involves homework. School will continue to be your first priority."

"That's fair too," I agreed.

"I will think of the rest later, but we will continue giving you an allowance to pay for your groceries and necessities. I know you want to argue and use your money, but we all agreed when you signed that contract that you would save that money in case you want to go to college. That money is for your future after you graduate and not a second sooner."

I nodded, "I understand, I will not argue."

"Good, and the last thing I have to tell you is that Alicia contacted again. You are ignoring her messages. Why? Has she done something again?"