The house no one Knows about

FIVE

I am really dreading dinner. I am dreading dinner because I just had three bottles of beer and I've been missing since three-thirty pm and now it's nine o'clock. I arrive at my house confused and incoherent and apparently unaware of my crazy driving. My parents are sitting at the table having dinner. The smell of lasagne fills the room and it's just so delightful and it makes my mouth water. I remember my mother's cooking days and how she had mentioned some days earlier that she would pick up the habit again. Her hair looks too messy to be on her head and belong to her and as for my dad; he finally got those lines that his frowning promised.

'Hey, can I have some of that? It smells amazing'

I guess I forgot that the smell of beer would be heavy on my breath, or maybe I didn't but it doesn't really matter to me. I can only smell that heavenly lasagne.

'What's going on with you Dean?' mum says

She manages to place her fork and knife in a vertical position that says "I'm done eating". Her plate is still covered in food but my mum is on her special diet so I'm not really surprised.

'I just wanted some lasagne. What's wrong with you? I compliment your food and now you're angry? You disgust me, I'm going to bed'

'What did you just say?'

'You say it like you want me to add something much ruder'

She gets up moving with lightning speed and lands a hard slap on m face. Then she covers her O-shaped mouth when I fall on the floor and start laughing.

'You're drunk!'

'God, you're smart' I laugh even louder.

'What's got into you Dean?' my dad is suddenly desperate to join the action. 'First you disappear and nobody sees you until seven o' clock the next day, then today you blow off your girlfriend and drive in so late plus you're drunk! And I don't even know how you got the beer and I certainly do not want to know'

I hardly hear him because I'm laughing, laughing so hard that I almost choke on my own spit. I am mocking them, right to their face. I've done this a million times before but this time it's just so hilarious.

'What's so funny huh? What's so funny?' he bellowed

I think the mighty kicks aimed at my stomach could have calmed him down but even after violently assaulting me, he was still fuming however my mother's face softened.

'Dean?' she whispers

I roll over on my back, couching heavily. When I am able to stand, I throw up the foot long sandwich I ordered in Subway on my way and wipe my lip.

'I'm going to bed' my voice is hoarse and shattered but I use the remaining shreds of energy I have to speak 'I'd rather disappear and resurface at 2:00am but goodnight'

The stairs could have been the spot where I would die if I would die this night. Each step shoots bullets into my stomach and nearly sends me crashing to the bottom but I end up at the top and eventually crash into my bed. The bruises on my stomach are undeniable and very painful. I wince as my finger comes in contact with it. I place my hands behind my head and ponder over the tears falling down my face. My parents have never made me cry.

It is Saturday when I wake up which is good because I have no intention of getting out of bed today. I think I may have developed insomnia because I literally fell asleep when the sun came up. As expected my hangover hits me like a train. My head is reeling and my stomach is fighting for attention. The bruises are a purple and black and more than extremely painful. I reach out for my phone and speed dial Gabe, he tells me that he is on his way and I shut my eyes anticipating the arrival of my superhero.