Socially Awkward

Chapter 14:

"Not exactly." He says and I frown with disappointment.

"I'm out of here." I rise from my seat.

"Wait, let me explain."

I settle back into my chair. "I'm listening."

"I want you to understand that this is between your mother and I. We need to work it out on our own." He bullshits.

"That's a load of crap." I say.

He stands up from his seat and points a finger at me, "You watch your mouth young lady!"

"Why the hell should I even listen to you? You're nothing but a liar!" I raise my voice at him.

"Hey! I am your father. How dare you speak to me like that!"

I roll my eyes at him. "Father? You're practically dead to me at this point."

"Excuse me?"

I don't know why he's shocked that I'm finally standing up to him. I'm not going to let him get away with betraying our family like this.

"But don't worry, father. I'll keep your precious dirty little secret." I lie.

He sits back in his chair and quietly says, "Get out."

"What?"

"Get out!" He yells at me.

The volume of his voice frightens me and I quickly exit his office.

I nearly bump into my mother who I find just outside the door.

"How long were you standing there?" I ask her.

"I just walked over here because I heard shouting. Luna, what's going on? Why is your father so angry?" She questions.

I gesture for her to meet me downstairs so that my father can't stop me from saying what I so badly want to tell her.

We quickly head downstairs. I can tell by the look on her face that she's worried and concerned. I almost decide not to tell her the truth.

"Mom, there's something you should know about dad." I begin.

She raises and eyebrow at me. "What is it?"

I take a deep breath before finally spitting it out, "It's true mom. Dad's-Dad's cheating on you."

The second the words slip out of my mouth, my mother breaks down. Her face pales, her smile fades, her eyes sadden, and her shoulders sulk. She looks broken.

I wrap my arms around her and let her cry with me.

"No."

My mother and I find Rosie with tears running down her face. She shakes her head from side to side. I wouldn't have said anything had I known she was listening the entire time.

"Tell me it's not true." She cries.

I walk over to her and give her a tight hug.

My brave mother wipes her tear strained cheeks and says, "I'm not going to let him get away with this. He can't just hurt us like that."

Rosie's eyes widen with concern, "Mom what are you going to do?"

Without an answer, my mother marches up the stairs and storms into my father's office.

Rosie clings to my side and I hold her tightly as our family gets torn apart.

There's yelling, crying, and every so often a crashing sound of something being smashed against walls.

"Don't you walk out that door, Ashley!"

"It's over Charles!"

"Make them stop." Rosie repeats between sobs.

I fight my own tears and sit her down at the kitchen table, "Stay here", I tell her.

I run upstairs, but I'm too late. My mother bumps her shoulder into mine as she rushes past me into her bedroom. I chase after her.

She grabs a suitcase hidden in her closet and packs her things.

"W-what are you doing?"

"I'm sorry Luna. I just-I can't do it anymore. I need to go."

"No! No mom you can't! I never should've told you. Rosie's going to hate me. This is all my fault!" I shout.

She pauses her aggressive packing for a brief second and looks over at me, "You were right to tell me. Don't worry honey, I won't be leaving forever. You know I'll come back for you. I've just---I've got to get a good job and a nice place and I'll come back for you and Rosie. I promise."

I shake my head at her as endless tears escape my eyes and roll down my cheeks.

"Don't do this to me, mom. I need you." I cry.

She wipes a tear away with her thumb and pulls me in for a hug.

A minute goes by before she pulls away and zips up her suitcase.

"I can't even stay here long enough to pack it all up. I'll text you my hotel room number so you can bring my things to me. Just promise me you won't tell your father or Rosie where I am."

"But mom!" I protest.

"Promise me." She urges.

"Fine." I reply barely above a whisper.

She smiles at me, using the last ounce of happiness she has in her.

"I love you." She says.

My mother packs a few of her things and leaves the house. Rosie tries to chase after her, but I hold her back as my mother hops into her car and drives away.

Rosie yells loudly into the night as we watch my mother's car disappear down the street. I'm surprised none of my neighbors have noticed the disturbance in our normally quiet street. She roughly pulls away from me when it's too late.

"This is all your fault!" She shouts and storms inside the house.

"Rosie wait!" I chase her up the stairs of the house and outside her room, but she slams her door in my face and locks it shut before I can follow her inside.

"Open the door. I can explain." I desperately bang on her door.

"Go away! I hate you!" She yells at me.

I pound my fists against my head in frustration and repeatedly whisper "I'm sorry. I'm so sorry."

I slide my back against her door and ramble to myself. I feel like I'm losing my mind. Tears roll down my cheeks as I feel my sanity slowly slip away.

When I open my eyes, my dad is standing over me.

"I messed up." I choke.

"I told you to stay out of it." He says before walking away.

Rosie slowly opens her door and looks down at me, "I don't want to stay here, Luna."

I lick my dried lips. "Neither do I."

I stand to my feet and whisper, "Grab a duffle bag. Pack some clothes, your tooth brush, anything you need and can pack in the next five minutes."

"But-"

I cut her off. "Do it."