The Unseen

Chapter 11

CHAPTER 11

 

I fed Arty a chip behind my mom's back and then quickly shoved the dog off of the couch. My mom loved to feed Arty junk food, but if she caught me doing it she'd scold me, since Arty already got enough horrible food from her. It was kind of hypocritical, but she was the mother and I was the child. I was kind of forced to obey her. Plus, Arty was not really supposed to be on the couch.

Just as my mom set down the phone and turned around, I flipped on the TV and pretended to be engrossed in a Scooby Doo cartoon. I could feel the suspicion radiating off of her, though, as she eyed me and the empty bag of chips. Not to mention the fact that Arty was passed out like she had just eaten a whole feast, and wasn't begging me for food like she normally did.

"Nikkia, I can't believe you still like Scooby Doo," she said, shaking her head, apparently giving up on the suspicion. I didn't just watch it just occasionally, as you might have been thinking - I watched Scooby Doo nearly every other day. Whenever I got the chance, anyway, and The Unseen business wasn't consuming my time.

Grinning, I replied, "Mom, this show is awesome. I'm glad they still have the old version on it on. If it was the new episodes, then I wouldn't be watching it so much." She rolled her eyes at me and whispered something that suspiciously sounded like 'Grow up.'

Just then, my dad came in the door looking a little tired, but happy to see us as always. He gave my mom a kiss and ruffled my hair. "What's up, kid?"

"The sky," I answered, which was kind of routine. He and I always had that exchange, ever since we first stated it many years ago.

We both laughed, and Mom smiled and dried her hands on a towel. She had been washing the dishes, but had hurried to catch the home phone that was ringing —with her hands still wet--which explained her presence in the living room. Not that she cared that much about getting the phone wet.

She went back in the kitchen to finish up the dishes, and Dad plodded upstairs to change into something more casual. When they left, I looked down at Arty. She gazed up at me, her eyes begging for more. I rolled up the empty chip bag and said, "Sorry, I'm not taking any chances. Besides, you already at them all."

Ringing startled me, and I glanced down to see that it came from my cell phone. I called loudly out to my mom, "It's mine!" The caller ID said Rashal, so I flipped it open and put it to my ear.

"Hello?"

"Heeey. What's going on?" She must have been bored.

"Nothing much. Scooby Doo."

I heard her snicker over the phone. "Seriously?"

"Shut up," I said playfully, not really that offended. She already knew I loved this show. "Is there a reason why you interrupted my childish time of the day?

Rashal's sister's voice overpowered her own, coming loudly through the speaker. "I want my teddy-"

"Ally, shut up!"

I laughed. "So, the reason you called?" I prodded.

I heard her frustrated sigh. "Ugh." Then her chirpy voice returned. "Okay, so, I just wanted to make sure you didn't forget about your next soccer practice. Tomorrow, right after your track practice, which is right after school."

"Rashal, thanks for reminding me," I replied sarcastically, rolling my eyes. "I know though."

She snorted. "Wow, please be grateful next time when I try to be a good friend."