Tyler parked the car by the curb instead of pulling into the driveway. He sighed heavily and shoved the door open. Slamming it shut, he walked to the front door. He took out his keys and unlocked the door. When Tyler opened it, he instantly smelled alcohol…Jason’s home. In the background, he heard Amelia’s chirpy voice-she was probably on the phone. Tyler went inside and didn’t bother to talk to his parents. Simply went to his room, and shut the door. Honestly, if he hurried, they might not even know he stopped by. Which would be better, considering the last time he saw them, they had fought.
While Tyler showered, he thought back to the morning that Ally fell, right before he was going to leave for school. Amelia was in the shower, and Jason was sitting in the normal place: the recliner with a can clutched in his left hand. Trying to hurry-Ally would be there soon-he rushed into the kitchen for breakfast. All he wanted was a piece of toast, and after rummaging through several cabinets, he found no bread. Yelling around the corner, Tyler stood by the refrigerator.
“Are we already out of bread?”
“I guess your mom didn’t get any at the grocery the other day; money only goes so far.”
“So I hear.” Tyler crouched in front of the open door.
“Well, what I don’t hear is you turning in applications. Maybe if you had a job, you could be the family ‘bread-winner’.” Tyler had gone over this with him several times-but he reminded him again.
“I already told you. I’m not getting a job until the second semester. I need to focus on my classes so I can pass and go to college. I’ll never get a scholarship unless I maintain my GPA… You would already know this if you would listen to me once in a while.” Jason had stalked his way to the kitchen and was leaning on the doorway. Tyler had grabbed the orange juice and poured some into a glass. He decided he would just wait and pick something up at school or on the way.
“You smart-mouthing me, boy? My dad didn’t go to college, I didn’t go to college, and you won’t go to college. Just face it; you’re a blue collar worker like the rest of us.”
“Jason, I have a good chance of going if I put forth some effort.”
“Who told you that? That snotty-nose, brat rich girl; or her uppity rich dad?” Jason said in the best mocking tone he could muster.
“I need to go to college so in can get a job and actually make a living-make a life. Unlike you, who’s had a can in his hand since high school.”
“Do you think you’re better than me?” Jason had a warning in his undertone, which made Tyler become defensive.
“Only as long as I don’t pick up a bottle.” Jason made a step towards Tyler but before he could hit him, Amelia stepped between the two.
“Excuse me!” She was wrapped in a towel, and her hair was still dripping wet. “Tyler! That is no way to speak to your father! ‘Respect your elders.’-isn’t that what our Father tells us? Haven’t I raised you better?”
“No! Neither of you has raised me at all!” Amelia had steel in her voice when she snapped out her response.
“Tyler! That is enough. Your father is only trying to help you. ‘Idle hands are the devil’s play-thing.’, remember?”
“Mom-,” Tyler tried to interrupt, but Amelia held up her hands.
“No! I’ve heard quite enough already.” For some unknown reason, Tyler felt his heart break one more time. Her words were like knives digging into his chest, telling him clearly that she didn’t love him the same anymore. Tyler threw his emotions in the back of his mind and stormed past the two.
YOU ARE READING
I Was There
Teen Fiction"I was there the day that your mother died. The moment she took her last breath; that second she said her last words…and she has a message for you: Keep searching." This nightmare has tortured Ally every night since her mother died. While she strugg...
