Strangers, Friends and All the In Between

Chapter 13

"Mother..." I say. I'm pretty sure that caught the attention of both of my guests, seeing as I saw the both of them abruptly turn their heads toward me after I made the comment. I hear my mother laugh.

"Who else, dear?" she asks, gesturing to herself.

"What are you doing here?" I ask, still dumbfounded.

"Well, that's what I was going to tell you last time I was here. Your mother and I are getting re-married," my father answers. My face goes from pale to red as I feel the heat rise to my cheeks as fury rages through my system.

"You're what?" I ask, projecting a calm demeanor as the anger continues to build.

"You heard correctly. We're getting married again," my mother interjects. I couldn't take it anymore.

"What the hell is wrong with the both of you? You," I say, pointing to my mother, "left without telling where the hell you were going, leaving me completely wrecked when I found out. Danny was too young to even remember you. And you," I yell, pointing at my father, "were weak enough to leave us both behind after seeing us grow up for a few years. You both divorced before either of you left. And now, all of a sudden, you're feeling ballsy enough to waltz back into my life and claim you're getting remarried?! Hell no! Get out! Get out now!"

"Well, I still own this house, young lady. We're moving back in here to live with you and our son," Dave says.

"No," I state simply.

"Excuse me?" Dave asks.

"No. I will not let you back into my life. I will not let you back into Danny's. He deserves better than that. Do you know how much this will fuck with him? This wouldn't be good for him. So, no. Even if you take this house, I will take Danny and we will move to a different house," I say. They don't respond to me. They only stare at as I stare back at them. "Now, if you would kindly leave, seeing as you've told me the news." They stare at me for a few seconds more before turning on their heels and walking back out of the house. As soon as I hear the front door close, I back up until my back is against the wall. I slide down said wall, face in hands.

I feel my anxiety start to act up. My heart starts palpitating, breathing becoming less and less until it feels as though I'm choking on my own breath. I feel the tears begin to stream down my face. The room begins to spin and I am plunged into a world all my own, completely and utterly alone. Suddenly, I feel a familiar arm wrap around my shoulders. I lean against the person that's sitting next to me, already knowing who it was. The two of simply sit there like that, not speaking until the effects subside. As soon as it does, I turn my body and hug the person next to me.

"Feeling better now?" she asks.

"Yeah, thanks, Ryan," I respond. We both stand up and walk back into the game room. I see Sam on the couch, worry laced in her features. She stands up and enraptures me in a huge hug.

"You scared the shit outta me. You weren't responding when I called you and I didn't know if you were gonna be okay," Sam says, I feel her tears on my neck.

"I'm sorry. That happens when I have an anxiety attack. I can't hear a thing around me. My mind almost literally puts me into a completely separate world. The only thing that draws me out is a comforting touch from someone who knows what's going on," I explain to her. I rub her back in an attempt to calm her down. Eventually, she pulls away, looking at me. I move my hand to her face and wipe a tear away with my thumb, giving her a small smile. I look back to Ryan who's looking at me. I walk over to her and hug her again. "Thanks, again for helping me out."