The Vampire of Sacremento

Cool Story Mom, but Where Are the Meatballs?

I held the strainer with the boiled noodles in my hands. I shook it around to make sure all the water was drained. Huh, there’s not enough noodles. I was just about to tell my mom when I realized that we don’t need anymore. Dad has been gone for a week now, but I still keep forgetting that he’s not going to walk through the door at 5:30, asking where the beer is. I glanced at my mom who was chopping the unions for the sauce. I still haven’t asked her what actually made dad leave. To be honest, I’m not sure if that’s because I don’t care or because I don’t want to know.

“You done with the noodles dear?” she put the unions in the pot with the other ingredients for the sauce.

“Yea,” I handed her the strainer and she added it to the pot.

“Can you get the bread out of the oven?” she stirred the food slowly; adding a little sugar after a quick taste of the food

“Sure,” I walked over to the oven, grabbing an oven mitt along the way. I opened the door and pulled out the rack to get the bread. Picking it up, I put it on top of the stove. I ran the tip of my finger over one of the bread sticks. I popped my finger in my mouth, licking the butter. I turned to see if my mom was looking at me. Of course she was.

“Anyways…” she turned back around, smiling, and continued to stir the food. “ I can tell that there is something you want to talk about so when ever you’re ready, just go on right ahead.” She pulled the pot off the eye.

“How did you… never mind,” I walked over to the fridge and pulled out a Coke. My mom just laughed.

                                                                  ~δεατη~

We were sitting at the dinner table. I had three platefulls in less than 10 min. I swear. That weed does stuff to you man. Givin me the goddamn munchies. Good thing my metabolism is higher than the average persons.

“Are you feeling okay?” I stopped stuffing my face for a second to see my mom giving me this what the hell is wrong with you? kind of face.

“Yeah, I’m good mom.” I shoved more spaghetti  in my mouth. “I’m just really hungry that’s all.”

“I don’t know if I should be happy or be scared.” She just shook her head and I laughed. We sat in silence for a couple of minutes before I cracked.

“Hey mom?” I started to play with the noodles and twirled them around my fork over and over.

“Yes?” I saw her look up at me with a puzzled expression.

“What actually made dad leave?”

“Finally, I didn’t think you were going to ask…it’s a long story dear.”

“I’m listening,”

“Well…he thought I was cheating on him. When he worked doubles on Tuesdays and Thursdays, he always thought that I had some man over hear lying on his side of the bed and drinking up his beer. He was so paranoid.” She shook her head. “He was only that way because he has cheated on me multiple times…”

“He WHAT?” I stood up from my chair abruptly enough to nock it over. All this time, I thought it was mom not being faithful. He didn’t only beat her, but he cheated on her too. Who treats a woman like that?

“Yea, more than once too. I’ve caught him four times. The first time, it was with your babysitter.”

“Claire?” oh GOD I hope not. 

“Yes, I think that was her name. You were eight at this time. I came home early from the diner; at around 8. You were already in the bed so I made sure I didn’t make a lot of noise. I walked to our room and opened the door. I heard them before I saw them. Yea, I beat the shit out of that girl. Her parents wanted to press charges until I told them what she was doing with my husband.”