When It all Falls Down

Chapter 2.2

CJ

"Cassie, get off of me!" I laughed and pushed her onto the other side of the bed. My phone fell on the ground, but I didn't care enough to pick it up.

    "But you have to hurry! Mommy's downstairs waiting for you!" She squealed with excitement and started jumping on my bed. I grabbed her and started tickling her sides. "CJ stop it!" She giggled and started kicking her legs in every direction. I loved hearing her laugh, it made me want to stick around during the hard times. No one, not even our mother was going to make her stop laughing.

    "Christopher! Cassandra!" My dad yelled up the stairs. "Let's go!" Cassie quickly ran out of the room and down the stairs.

    I stayed in bed for a few more minutes, still not ready to come face to face with the person I thought I'd never see again. I took a deep breath and got up.

    I picked up the first pair of blue jeans I could find, a plain black t-shirt, and black Converse. Really there weren't many other colors in my wardrobe. I made my way into the bathroom and brushed through my long hair. My dad told me it was time for a haircut, but I liked it long.

And that's how it's going to stay.

"Christopher! You're all going to be late!" His voice bounced off the walls.

I got to the top of the stairs and took another breath. "You can do this," I said to myself. I could see it already. My life spiraling out of control again. And all I had to do to get the ball rolling was walk downstairs.

Slowly, I made my way down. She was the first person I saw. Her lips formed into a smile.

Her hair was a lot shorter than the last time I saw her. It was now cut into a short bob, and her eyes seemed more blue. If that was even possible. She stood up from her seat at the kitchen table.

"Nice of you to join us this morning, but I have to get to work," my dad said and walked up to me. He whispered, "please don't chase her away with your newly acquired lifestyle." I could tell he was trying to joke with me, but deep down I knew he wasn't.

"Time to get going guys," I said, and they all stood up. "I'll be out in a second." They all made their way out the door, and I stayed in place.

She stood right in front of me, her smile wide. "Hello Christopher," she said and wrapped her arms around me.

I couldn't move. It felt like all the air was being ripped out of my lungs. I pulled myself away and she let go. Her smile was replaced with a frown.

"You don't seem very excited to see me," she said, and I couldn't help the laugher that escaped my mouth.

"Why did you even come back?" I asked, and she gave me a confused look.

She sighed before answering me. "Your father is the only one willing to help me. And I missed my children."

"Missed your children? If you missed us so damn much why not call? Or I don't know, not leave us in the first place?" Right after the words came out of my mouth I felt a sharp sting on my cheek. I looked at her hand, a ring on every finger, like usual. I used my hand to wipe my cheek, and streaks of blood were left on my fingers.

"You will not speak to me like that! And your attitude needs to change. Your father informed me of the fight you got into yesterday. That will not happen again. Do you understand me? Hitting people isn't the answer Christopher," she said, and I laughed at the irony.

"Weird, I must've gotten it from you," I replied and made my way outside. I felt the cold air hit my cheek, and it stung.

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