A Hole in the Heart

Chapter 6

By the look on Mom's face I can tell that this is not going to be pretty. She turns to go down to the living room and I know that I am expected to follow.

She does not sit down but gestures me to the couch. I sit and wait for her to explode.

"This has been a hard thing to go through with your father. It has been hard on you and me, both. You go to school and come home to do nothing. On weekends I don't see you out of your room unless I drag you out. I work and go to see your father in the hospital. I don't have time at home to do things that need done. You need to start helping out around here because I can't do it all. What do you even do all day in your room?! It certainly is nothing beneficial! I always see you sleeping. Do you even do your school work?! I'm done. Go do something, but do not forget what I just said."

♡♡♡

"Amanda!"

I just got to my locker after walking to school and here comes Sarah running down the hall calling out my name. It's been a week since I last had an actual conversation with her or Bryan. She looks slightly concerned yet shocked that I am acknowledging her.

"What's going on? You haven't been answering your phone or emails. Bryan said he went over to your house a few times but no one answered." I cannot tell if Sarah is concerned now or angry.

"I'm really sorry that I haven't been answering. School has me a little stressed out and I always seem to have piles of homework to do. About Bryan coming over I guess we just were not home."

I had been trying to avoid both of them but if I had to see one then I was glad that it was Sarah. Bryan knows about Dad so he would know that whatever excuse that I come up with is exactly that: an excuse. There would be no getting around telling him the truth.

She accepts what I say and we walk to homeroom. The announcements drag on for ages. Right before we say The Pledge Sarah whispers, "Are you going to be at lunch today?"

I have no intentions of going to lunch but to satisfy her I say, "I don't know, Sarah. It depends on how much work my first few classes give out."

"Okay," she replies.

I get through the rest of school without any questions that are not school related. Walking home I decide that I will clean part of the house this afternoon and finish it tomorrow. If I cook supper also then that should keep Mom from blowing another fuse.

After supper it is clear that I was right. Mom is perfectly fine considering the circumstances. My plan of how to stay on her good side seems to be working. I fall asleep preparing for another hazy day to come.