Sometimes You Need To Let Down Your Hair

Chapter 6

       When I woke up in the morning, I was surprised. I had managed to sleep despite all the thoughts running around in my head. I sat up and sleepily rubbed my eyes then stretched my arms out as I yawned. When I coaxed myself to get out of bed I glanced at my clock, It was only 7:30. It was Sunday morning, and I briefly considered going back to sleep. I' love to go to church, but there was no way I was getting out of this place. 

       I took a shower then brushed the tangles out of my long hair. Then I searched my dresser and closet for a cute outfit. I ended up picking a tight pair of jeans and a black and white stripped top. I thought about just braiding my hair, but I ended up pulling it into a tight bun like it usually was. Then I gracefully skipped down to the kitchen where I proceeded to make myself a bowl of cereal. When I was finished I searched for the stuff mom had bought. It wasn't hard to find.

       She left everything in the bags at the foot of the stairs. She had probably walked through the door and just dropped everything. I shook my head, and decided to put everything up. The groceries went into the kitchen, and gardening stuff went on the patio in the backyard. I was excited! Mother had gotten me everything I needed; a hoe, a watering can, a shovel, gloves, flower bulbs,  some roses, and a lot of seeds!! My heart warmed up at the sight of it all. Mom had picked out all of this stuff for me!

       As I admired my things, I heard mother come downstairs. I turned and barreled into her to give her a hug and say thanks. Once that was finished, I stepped back and looked at her. My smile wavered, but I kept it carefully plastered on my face. Mother's brown hair was a tangled mess, and to my dismay I realized she was wearing the same clothes that she had on yesterday. Her eyes were red rimmed, and had dark circles. She looked bad.

       "I'll get you some breakfast," I said softly. She nodded, and I poured her a bowl of cereal. She stumbled to the dining room table, and ate in silence when I handed her the bowl. "Are you staying at home today, or going out?" She continued to eat her breakfast, so I thought she hadn't heard me. I spoke a little louder, and repeated myself. Mother paused, and looked up at me.

       She glared with such an intensity that I felt a stinging behind my eyes. I blinked a few times, I would not tear up over a dumb glare from my mother. "Do I look like I want to go out today?" She asked. I shook my head, and she continued to speak. "I don't work on Sundays, and I usually spend the day with you. Why do you think I'd leave?" I shrugged my shoulders, and chided myself. I was so ready just to get outside, see Lucas, and plant a garden. I forgot that mother would probably want to help me.

       "Do you not want me to stay for some reason? Are you hiding something," she half asked, half accused. I shook my head no. "Well, I was going to help you plant your garden you know," she said. This brought a smile to my face. I suppose hanging out with Lucas could wait. I needed to spend more time with my mom. We both needed this. I was so caught up in my thoughts about how we would plant everything and have fun, that I almost didn't hear the next thing mom said. 

       "But, since you are so eager to get rid of me I will stay in my room and catch up on some much needed sleep. Bring me lunch at noon, and have dinner ready by 6:00. Set three places at the table, someone is coming over tonight," she said. I was surprised. Mom was going to have someone over? Well this was exciting. But the excitement didn't succeed in drowning out the hurt feelings that clouded my mind. Mother didn't want to spend the day with me. 

       I shook my head and mother looked at my outfit. "Try to look presentable tonight," she said. Venom dripped off of her words, and I looked down at my outfit. I thought it looked nice!

       "What's wrong with this?" I asked. As soon as I said it, I knew I had made a mistake.

       Once again, mother's glare was settled on me and she shrieked, "Fine. Only set two places at the table. Your eating by yourself in your room. Don't come out or else." I looked at the ground, and felt tears threaten to spill. She took her hand and lifted my chin. Looking me right in the eye, she said "Do you understand?"

       In a shaky voice, I said "Yes mother. I'm sorry I upset you so much." I felt my eyes redden, and I knew that I was on the verge of tears. Mother's face softened, and she put her head into her hands.

       "I'm sorry," she told me, "I don't want to act like the bad guy. I'm just not feeling well, and the person coming over isn't someone you should meet anyway." She then removed her face from her hands and looked at me, "I'm going to go take a nap, sorry I yelled." 

       She stood up and went upstairs, leaving her dirty bowl on the table. A rush of emotions assulted me, so I quickly cleaned up the stuff I got out for breakfast. Then I ran up to my room. Once there, I buried my head in my pillow and tried to hold in my emotions.

       Mother loved me. I knew that. It was just her hangover that made her feel so grumpy. I wondered why she even had a hangover. She usually doesn't drink, so why was she drunk? After thinking about it for a little bit I came to the conclusion that whoever was coming to dinner tonight had something to do with it.

       I angirly shook my head. I haven't even met this person, but I already disliked them. I knew that was wrong of me, but they were most likely the reason my mother got drunk! I got up and looked at myself in the mirror. The top of my bun was messy, and my eyes were rimmed with tears.

      I mumbled "Pull yourself together," before wiping my eyes. Then I decided that I would make myself still have a good day. I walked to the kitchen with my back straight, and my chin up. 

       Once there, I grabbed my gardening tools. I made another trip back in for the flowers and seeds, and then I decided to get to work.