Mixed Up

5

   *ATTENTION TO PREVIOUS READERS: Brady's and his parents' last name was changed to Thompson, instead of Hamilton, and Brady's mom's name is actually Darla. This is all because of editing purposes! That's all! Thank you! Oh and sorry for the super long wait. Been going to school and doing other things in my life. But I still want to continue working on this story so bare with me! But I hope you guys still enjoy this chapter! :D  It's pretty juicy drama wise! ;)

   Brady finally reached his home and looked to the right of him at a passed out Tiana, who had recently puked in Lauren's parking lot before they left, and then passed out again. He knew that he couldn't take her home like this so he just simply didn't. With his keys in his hand, he decided to go around to Tiana's side of the door, open it, and pick Tiana up, cradling her. Then, he headed towards his front door and managed to barely unlock it with his house key. He entered his home as quiet as he could, not knowing that his mother, who was awake, was still laying on the couch. She could hear him from behind pass by the couch and heavily step up the stairs.

                                 * * *

   Brady realized how loud his footsteps were and tried to quiet them down as he walked passed his mother's room towards his. When he managed to get to his room in the darkness, he was able to spot out his bed and gently lay Tiana down on it. Brady finally turned on his desk lamp and just sat down beside her and looked down at her sleeping. He felt so relieved that she was safe. Even though she was his best friend, he didn't know what he'd do if something bad were to happen to Tiana. Especially because of him not protecting her like he should have. He loved her like a sister. Or so he thought.
   After reminiscing on what could have happened, he finally turned off his desk lamp, kissed her a goodnight on her fore head, and started towards the door. He looked back at Tiana in his bed without hearing his mother creep up behind him.
   "Make sure you g---get her a glass of cold water before the m---morning. That hangover is going to be hectic." Brady's mother said coughing terribly, yet whispering loud enough to startle Brady.
   "Geeeez, mom. You scared the crap out of me. I thought you were sleep in your room."
   "I fell asleep on the couch," She said, continuing to cough.
   "Wh--where's dad?"
   "He's . . . out," she said hesitantly.
   "Out---where?" Brady said, starting to get upset.
   "He had to get some air, sweety. You know, after he and you had that argument?" she said through her constant coughing, but trying to calm him down.
   "That was a long time ago. He should have been back by now. Where is he?"
   "I don't know sweety."
   "I swear mom, if he's drinking---"
   "Honey your father has been through a lot with me."
   "So, that gives him a reason to drink his whole life away and forget about his family? Mom, please don't make excuses for him. You and me both know that he's rarely been there for us, yet you still have love for him anyway. I don't get it."
   "Okay first of all, watch your tone with me, young man. I am still your mother. I don't care how old you are. And second of all, I understand that you are hurting because of your father, but you still need to treat him with respect. He's your dad." She said firmly, but out of breath from getting stirred up.
   "Oh so I'm supposed to respect the man that never showed respect for us?"
   "Stop that."
   "No mom. I'm sorry for my tone, but I'm not going to stand here and have you tell me that dad is still a good person. Because he isn't."
   "Honey . . . " his mom said in sadness, but still coughing and struggling to breath.
   "Well he isn't," Brady choked out as he started to tear up. "You should . . . go to bed mom. You are out of breath and you're coughing like crazy." He started to guide her down the hall to her bedroom.
   "Are you going to be alright?" She said, still coughing as Brady led her.
   "I'll be fine."
   Mrs. Thompson heard Brady sniffling, stopped walking, and turned around to see tears in his eyes. She tried to wipe them away, but they just kept falling as Brady started to weep.
   "I just want everything to be okay, mom," he cried.
   "I know, honey. Stop your tears now. You have to be strong for me, okay? Promise me you're still going to be strong," she said grabbing his face.
   "I'm trying to . . . I---I just want you to get better."
   "I know . . . " she let out another cough.
   "Please . . . just go to bed." Brady said shedding his last tear.
   "I love you, Brady," his mom said, kissing his cheek.
   "I--love you too, mom."
   Then, Brady helped his mother get into her bed, making sure she was comfortable.
   "Good--night," She said through her coughing.
   "Yeah . . . goodnight, mom." Brady said softly as he kissed her cheek goodnight.
   As Brady turned the lamp off and headed out the bedroom door, he heard his mother manage to get out through her cough saying, "Oh and re---remember to get t---that poor girl some water."
   "I won't, mom. Get some rest," he chuckled as he left her door open slightly so he could still hear her.
Then, when Brady turned from closing the door, he saw his dad standing in a silhouette from his bedroom lamp, just looking at him. Brady made direct eye contact with him and walked right up to him. He could smell the alcohol and cigarettes, but didn't even say anything about it. He just looked at his dad ashamed.
   "Son---" his father tried to explain.
   "Don't. Just . . . don't.", Brady said, interrupting him. He didn't want to hear what his dad had to say. Before he could even get out another word, Brady walked pass him and walked back into his room, quickly shutting the door on his dad's face. He could hear Mr. Thompson barely mutter out the words "I'm sorry", but chose to ignore him with a tear in his eye. His dad just stood outside the door with his head down. He was so tipsy, but he wanted to explain things to Brady.
   "Son please just let me explain." He said to Brady, slurring his words.
Brady said no words. Just waited for him to leave. He knew that his dad was very intoxicated and decided to not speak because of it. It wasn't worth it. Especially when he remembered retaliating against his dad before while he was this drunk.