CHAPTER 9: PEACE
It was about 5 o’clock when I got home. I kind of expected to see Blane on my porch begging for forgiveness, but he wasn’t there.
Enough, Carter. Stop thinking about him. I should focus on other things, like school or family. Dad really needs me right now.
As I opened the door, I heard screaming. That’s not good, I thought.
“Shut up, Bennie!” Katie whaled pleadingly.
“Whore! Whore! Whore!” Bennie chanted.
“Bennie, what’s going on?” I asked.
“Just copying you, sis.” Bennie said pleasantly.
“Bennie, don’t call her that.”
“Like you care.” Katie said brushing past me.
She didn’t even notice I stole her clothes. That was new. Whatever….I totally wasn’t in the mood to deal with her right now.
I walked into my white room and closed the door. I really needed a shower. As I turned around to get my towel, I saw my mom crying in my bathroom.
“Mom?”
“Carter? Oh.” she said wiping her tears. “I thought you’d be with Blane. I’m sorry. I’ll leave.”
“No, wait. What’s going on?”
“Nothing, sweetie. Just forget it.”
I blocked the door and crossed my arms.
“Spill.” I ordered.
It felt good to be the one in control around here.
“It’s… it’s your father. He’s so fixated on fixing Gramps that he’s never around anymore. He doesn’t eat. He doesn’t sleep. He’s always at that damn hospital of his. I don’t think there’s much he can do anymore, Carter.”
“Mom, you have to give him time. He’ll come back around sometime.”
“You think?” she asked honestly with big puppy dog eyes.
“I know.” I lied.
After we hugged, I looked out the window to find Bennie just playing basketball like the little kid he was. How sweet. I wish I could be that innocent and careless again.
A knock at the door woke me up from my daze.
“Yeah?”
And just like that the person that I really didn’t want to see was at my door.
“Hey Carter” she said softly.
“Sup Katie.” I said with an eye roll.
“Carter, I hate this fight between us. Please, I’m willing to move past it if you are.”
“Oh, because I’m the villain here? You’re the one who stole my boyfriend, Katie!”
“Carter, I didn’t steal him. He wasn’t satisfied with you. It’s two different things!”
“Sorry I’m not as experienced in the bedroom as Ms. I’ll Sleep with Anyone Who’s Game”
“Take that back, you bitch!” she said, shoving me off my bed.
“Don’t touch me! I don’t know where those hands have been!” I said.
Then, all of a sudden, she pounced. We rolled on the floor ripping each other’s hair out. Remarks like “you bitch” and “ow” filled the room. Then, I stopped.
“What you all tired out, brat?” she challenged.
“No, Katie. I’m just done.”
“Done? What are you talking about?”
“I’m done with this immaturity, Katie. I obviously can’t trust you so as far as I’m concerned, I only have a brother. No sister. So get the hell out of my room.”
I was dead serious, and she knew it.
“Carter- wait. Stop. I’m sorry. Please, forgive me.”
“I’M DONE GODDAMN IT. IM DONE WITH YOU. DONE WITH THIS FAMILY. DONE WITH THIS STATE. DONE WITH EVERYTHING. SO LEAVE ME THE HELL ALONE GODDAMN IT.”
“Woah, did something happen today at school?” she asked sincerely.
That was the last straw. I blew up. I couldn’t stop myself. It was like a dam busting open. My eyes couldn’t stop crying even when Katie hugged me. I wanted to hit her or punch her or at least push her away, but I couldn’t. I just let myself be held by my big sister.
After I cried for what seemed like a century, we just talked. I told her everything that had happened with Blane, about ditching school, about Mr. Parker, about Abe’s call, about Mom, and about the new school.
“Wait, is that why you stole my clothes today? To impress people?”
“Yeah. I… the first day off school, this girl called out my shorts and made me feel inadequate. So, I stole your clothes. Sorry.”
“Sorry? This is great! We can finally go shopping together!”
“Katie, we have school tomorrow. We can’t go shopping now.”
“Of course not now! It’s like nine o’clock. Tomorrow. Tell Mom you’re sick or something. I’ll do the same. It’ll be fine.”
“Okay.” I said smiling.
It felt good to have a sister.
