ecstasy. || jeffmads (DISCONTINUED)

|chapter 10|

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Dolley had still refused to tell me what she meant, but I ended up just ignoring it because we wouldn't get anywhere at this rate. Night had come quickly. Sure it was only 10pm, but I was still tired. I'd already showered and everything so I was good to go. I got into bed, falling asleep almost instantly. Maybe she'd own up the next day.

*

I woke up at the crack of dawn. Well, it felt like it. It was actually after midnight, going onto 1am, and there was such a racket. I groaned and pulled the covers over my head. The racket was coming from downstairs. It was midnight, for Pete's sake, what the hell were they doing? I listened out. My father and Ambrose were arguing. Seriously? I didn't know what they were arguing about, but it was probably something stupid, like whether it was going to be sunny or cloudy tomorrow. I didn't really care until I heard my name.

I frowned and pulled the covers off again. Why the fuck were they discussing me? But I was curious. I stood up and went to stand by the door. I heard my father say "... my damn car!", and knew exactly what this was about.

Ambrose had probably taken his car without asking, and the fuel was probably low, and he'd probably used taking me for ice-skating as an excuse, not mentioning his own plans. Now I was the one who was going to get in trouble. Why was Ambrose such a dick? I know he used the car more than me. But still, what could I do? Snitch on him? He'd probably make my life hell. Not that it wasn't already. Either way, he couldn't blame it all on me.

I was about to go back to bed when I heard my father shout, "You lying bastard!!" And then I think he hit him, because I heard Ambrose shout out in pain. My heart started beating fast. Was no one else hearing this? A few minutes later there were more voices. Francis and my mother. Tell me they weren't going to get involved.

I wanted to go down, but something held me back. I heard my mother shouting, trying to calm my father down. He wasn't listening. I was afraid he might hurt her, and I hoped one of them would save her. I think they did because not too long after I heard my father shout his riddance and walk out of the house. Just like that. Slamming the door behind him. There was silence for a minute or two before the three of them began discussing what had just happened.

I walked away from the door and got back into bed, lying on my back. I felt weird. I didn't know what to think, what to feel. My father was so short tempered, and he was always drinking, I was surprised he hadn't seriously physically abused any of us.

I couldn't sleep. I needed to talk to someone, I just didn't know who. All my 'friends' were probably asleep by now and I didn't want to bother them with my angst and negative vibes. Would they even care? I turned onto my side, and as if my prayers had been heard, my phone vibrated. But who was still awake and why were they messaging me? I took my phone from the nightstand. Dolley.

Dolley: Hey James, you awake? If not, I just wanted to say hi. If so... HI!

Okay?

J. Mads: I am awake, actually. The question is, why are you awake?

Dolley: HI!! Also, I don't know. I'm actually really fucking tired.

J. Mads: Go to bed.

Dolley: Hey, you aren't my motger! You go!

Dolley: *Mother