Never About Me

Chapter 8

"Angieeeee, what's wrong?"

I look over at my little sister and give her an annoyed look.

"Nothing, NaeNae, I'm fine."

"Ok, dinner is ready." She turns around and walks out the door.

I groan internally, family dinners are not exactly my favorite thing. But I get up anyway and head to the dining room, where my family is sitting together already.

"Nice of you to join us, finally," says Dale.

I give him my sarcastic smile and say, "Nice to actually see you out of your room for once D."

"Kids, stop." My step-father gives us both a look that could kill. I literally fear him. My mother, Shiloh, has been married to him for about 5 years now, and every day has been a living Hell for Jenae-Elie (NaeNae), Julian, and I for sure. I'm sure Dale and Isabelle have had their share of bad times with him. And Diego doesn't really like him either. He was glad to move out and go to college. He hasn't been doing so good mentally though.

I get food passed to me and I put some on my plate. The phone starts ringing when I'm about to stuff a spoonful of mashed potatoes and gravy in my mouth. My mother gets up and picks up the phone.

"Hello?" She says into the phone. Her face is solemn for a moment. Then I see tears starting to form in her eyes. She stands there for the longest moment. Then she drops the phone.

"Mom?" Dale yells from his spot at the table. He gets up so fast that he tips his chair over. My mother falls onto her knees, unable to stand. I get up and move with Dale over to her. I grab her arms and Dale helps me get her to the table.

"Mom? What's going on? Who was that on the phone?" I ask her.

It takes her a minute to catch her breath I can tell because I can see her having difficulty with the rise and fall of her chest. I tell Dale to get her a cup of water and he rushes to the sink. When he comes back with the water mom takes it gratefully and chugs the whole cup. When she finishes she opens her mouth to speak.

"Diego's been moved to a mental hospital."

I'm shocked by this news, "Hasn't he been taking his medicine?" I ask.

She shakes her head, "I've only told you kids that to keep you from worrying. He's been skipping his days and partying all night. That's why he always sleeps during the day and never comes over."

I finally process this information. Did Diego try to hurt himself?

"What happened to him?" I ask. I can't seem to stop asking questions.

"He was found under a bridge passed out. When they tried to wake him up he went off on them and threw an empty bottle at one of the police officers."

Dammit Diego, how could you? You knew that you needed to take your medicine. I thought you were better than this.