THE ANGELS LAND

TWO

A fragrance of peach permeated Aiden's nostrils as he entered his home. Julian greeted her son as he sniffed the air.

"Thank god, you're home. I need to run to the store. Can you watch your sister?"

"Is dad home?" It was a stupid question as soon as it left the his mouth. The answer was one he knew all too well.

Julian shook her head, sorrily. "No. I'm afraid not."

"Of course." Aiden swung his bag over his shoulder, on to the floor and slouched down on the couch.

Julian moved a strand of hair out of her face with a swift gesture of her hand. "I'm running to Dollar General. I should be back in twenty to thirty minutes."

"Yeah," Aiden said. "Okay. Hey, it's not a great time, but Nick invited me to a party this weekend, and I was wandering if I could go?"

"Aiden, you know how I feel about him."

"Mom. It's just one night."

"No."

"Abby's mom lets her do things!"

"Well, you have to remember, Abby doesn't have a father, so it's only her mother taking care of her."

Aiden hesitated before saying the next thing that yearned to come out of his mouth. He, more than anything, didn't want to say it. But it was too late and he no longer had any control. "I don't have one, either."

A look of hurt flashed across his mothers face. "Aiden.... You don't mean that."

"I do, mom. I know he cheated on you after you had the miscarriage. I know you're scared to sleep because he might come home drunk... again!"

"How do you know that?"

"Please!" Aiden snorted. "You guys argue every single time he's home. I've caught on."

She pursed her lips and shut her eyes, exhaling a deep breath. There was a long moment of silence as she rubbed her forehead.

"Aiden, you are not going to that party."

She grabbed her keys from the table, and started for the door, but she stopped, and turned around. "Abby's mom called, about half an hour ago. They got evicted, and they're coming over Friday, until they can afford a place."

She looked around, obviously on the edge of tears. "Just watch your sister." His mother left in a hurry after that, not wanting to say another word.

It was obvious he had hurt her. The whole thing about his father was probably too far.

Angrily, the sixteen-year-old teenager stormed to his room and slammed the door. Bring Me The Horizon blared in his ear buds. He didn't usually listen to bands like that except for when he was upset.

Staring up at the ceiling from upon his mattress, he got lost in the music, letting the beat carry him.

All the hate he had for his father was piling up. He hated him for the way he treated his wife and his kids. He hated him for always leaving. For always being drunk.  When he was home, he was either yelling, drunk, or pushing everyone around. Or even all three, sometimes.

Julian deserved better. Yes, he regretted talking to her like he did. He loved his mom. She was a really good lady. Always making sure he had food and a roof over his head had been a hobby ever since he had been born.

Sure, his mother was all religious, and always pestured him about going to church, but that didn't matter. He'd go for the rest of his life to make her happy.