Chained

Chapter 4

Chapter 4

The ride home was completely silent the whole way. I guess mom was really angry, or she was just tired of everything I do. When we got home she opened the door for me, and even then she didn’t talk to me. I waited for her in the living room, but she closed the door and walked into the kitchen. That’s when I realized that I wasn’t in trouble, I was in danger.

I followed mom into the kitchen. She had fixed herself a cup of water, and was taking some Advil. I sat down at the table, ready to take any punishment my mom was about to give me. Mom just stared at me though. She didn’t even move closer to me. It was like she was frozen.

“Is this the punishment? You not talking to me?” I asked. Mom finished her water, and washed her cup, putting it away. I got up to leave, but then she spoke.

“Sit.” I sat down, then she turned to look at me. “Are you trying to prove something?” she asked. Confused, I shook my head. “Then what are you doing? Every other week I’m being called down to your principal’s office, being told you’re in trouble.” She said. I looked down at my hands. Here it comes.

“Explain to me what goes on through you head when you pull these stunts. Honestly, I want to know.” She said, her voice rising with every word. She was going to blow her top.

“Do you realize how bad you make your dad and I look? How you make us feel? What we go through for you?” she asked. I pulled on the threads from my ripped shirt. “Look at me!” mom shouted. I flinched and looked at her.

“What is wrong with you?” she shouted.

“Why are you yelling?” We looked at the door to find dad coming in. Then dad saw me and instantly understood what was going on. “What happened this time?” he asked. Mom sighed.

“She got into another fight.” Mom explained. Dad stared at her confused.

“That’s why you’re yelling at her?” he asked. Mom looked at him in disbelief.

“She broke a girl’s nose, Eli!” mom said, dad only chuckled.

“Did she?” he asked, smiling at me. I bit my lip to keep myself from smiling back. Mom hit his arm.

“Do not encourage her.” She hissed. Then she turned to me. “Go to your room while your father and I talk.” She ordered.

I got up and walked out of the kitchen. She closed the door, in case I didn’t go upstairs. But with my hearing I could hear everything that was going on in the house. I sat on the bottom steps and listened in on the conversation.

“She is out of control, Eli.” Mom said. “I have done everything I can think of, but you refuse to let me send her to military or boarding school. What other choices do we have?” she asked.

I heard dad sigh, one of his ‘oh well’ sighs. For a second I  actually thought he’d agreed to send me away. That he would actually send me to some reform school. Then I heard him say no.

“She won’t be going anywhere.” He said.

“Then what do you suggest we do? Let her run wild?” she asked.

“She’s a teenager. She’s just acting out.” Dad explained. Then I heard mom laugh, but in a disbelieving way.

“Alexa is a teenager, but I’ve never been called to the principal’s office for her misbehavior. Jordan is a teenager and I’ve had no problems with him.” She argued. Yeah, we get it. I’m the problem child.

“Yes, but she is also different from them. She’s the middle child, and the odd one out.” Dad said. I turned my head to listen more. Odd one out? What did that mean?