Saving Sawyer [Boy/Boy] - 2013

Chapter 10: Odd One Out

Saving Sawyer: Chapter 10: Odd One Out

Cade's POV

               I slammed the door as I got into the car, my dad quick to admonish me for it. "I have no idea what's gotten into your head but you better check yourself before you regret it." 

"I could say the same thing to you - you're acting like a lunatic!" 

"That's it - you're grounded till the move and I want you to stay away from that basket case." He started the car and kept his hands firmly planted on the steering wheel. 

"Sawyer isn't a basket case!" I defended. 

He slammed on the brake and pulled the car off the road. "You have been acting different ever since he came back - do you guys do drugs...drink?" 

I scoffed at his accusation. Sawyer may have been forced to partake in that kind of activity at his parents' house but he's clean now, right? "I haven't been acting different since Sawyer moved back; I've been acting different since you moved that bitch and her heathen spawn into mom's house." 

"You know what, I'm sick of you disrespecting her. I am now demanding respect."  

"You're 'demanding respect'? I'll respect her when you two stop ruining my life! Who I hang out with, where I work and what I do is my business. You haven't cared up until now..."  

"I have always cared Cade. I wasn't around to show you the right people and I'm sorry for that, but marrying Leonie will give me more time to be home and to be a good role model for you and the kids." 

I crossed my arms over my chest. "Great, you'll be home and be distracted by your new wife, her three brats and the new baby...where does that leave me dad?" He was quiet. "We'll be right back where we started: hardly talking to each other and only really seeing each other when I'm cleaning up your mess after a night of drinking." 

"Cade, you're not being fair. You know I would never forget you. I'm trying son. You are very important to me, not matter what you think." He pleaded, the anger draining from his voice. 

I shook my head, having heard the same plea before. "Don't bother, the second I turn eighteen I'm out of that house, especially since it won't be mom's. How's it selling by the way? I bet you're rushing to just get rid of it." With that he started the car and the rest of the drive was in complete silence. 

               I pulled against my dad's hand as we walked; the hospice center was just like the hospital. My mom had been moved here two days ago... "I don't want to see her." I objected. 

He kneeled down in front of me, his features visibly tired. He tried to smile but it faltered. "Cade, mommy wants to see you, she misses you." 

I shook my head vigorously. "I don't want to." 

"Just say hi - for me." He got up and dragged me the rest of the way. 

I froze as we walked into the room. My mom was lying in the bed, her body seeming so fragile. "Hi sweetie." 

I hesitantly walked up to her and allowed her to wrap her arms around me. It felt wrong. "Hi." 

"Baby, mommy is sorry that I couldn't be with you on your birthday..." She reached for a small package wrapped on the table and gave it to me. 

I pushed her away, ignoring her hurt expression. "No." I shook my head, still hurt that she had missed so much since she got sick. I threw the gift on the ground, the present inside of it shattering. "I hate you!" I didn't hate her. I loved her and it hurt to see her so sick. I'd see the other mothers at school, waiting for their children. No one was ever waiting for me. My dad had to take on a second job to support us and my mom was still in here. "I wish you weren't my mom!" I ran out of the room, leaving both of them behind.