It's a Love-Hate Relationship

Three

My apologies for being late! There were a couple weeks in which I was unable to update. Every update will be on time from now on!

***

As I walked in the door after getting ice cream with Jess, my nose wrinkled with the smell of beer circulating through the air.

Typical.

Suppressing a groan, I set my bag down in the entryway and continued into the kitchen. "Mom?" I called out, glancing around as I opened the fridge.

"Boo!" Someone came up behind me and pinched my sides, making me shout in fright. Whirling around, I gasped when I saw my older brother.

"Oh my god, Warren! When did you get here? Aren't you supposed to be in Massachusetts? What happened to college?" I squealed, wrapping my arms around him in a huge hug. The brown haired boy laughed wholeheartedly and enveloped me in his arms. I relaxed into his grip, relieved to see him after all these months. I realised that it had been a while since anyone hugged me, especially since the only people who seemed to care about my existence anymore were Jess and S, so I gripped my brother tighter, not wanting to let go just yet.

"I decided to visit home for a bit and make sure you're doing okay. It was pretty last minute, but James persuaded me." He explained, voice muffled by my hair. James was his best friend, and I was very grateful for his existence at this moment.

"That's great! But... have you seen mom around?" I asked, narrowing my eyebrows.

"No, I thought you might know where she is." He leaned away from me, a concerned frown taking over his face. "You don't?"

I stared at him, confusion beginning to grow, "No..."

We both jumped when we heard the front door open and slam shut. "I'm home!" My mom's voice echoed through the house and we heard heels clanking against the floor. Warren and I sent each other baffled looks. My mom, with her messy brown hair and sunken features, walked in, in all her glory. She was wearing actual, put together clothes and actual shoes. What was going on? "Oh! Warren! You're back?" She exclaimed. He explained to her that he would be home for a couple days, and she said, "Great! Well, why don't both of you have a seat, I wanted to speak with you."

Where was my alcoholic mother? I knew she was in there somewhere, hiding it in order to achieve one moment of normalcy. Why was this woman, who was seemingly normal, sitting in front of us, pretending not the be the mental wreck we all knew she was? Warren and I both sent each other a confused glance, but slowly slid into the seats at the kitchen table. She sat across from us with a hesitant smile.

"What's going on mom?" I asked.

"Well... I've decided... I'm going to rehab!" I swear my eyes exploded out of my head at her excited tone and words. Just as Warren and I opened our mouths to speak, she cuts us off with her hand, "Let me explain. I'm tired of always being drunk and miserable. And I don't want to keep missing the important things in my children's lives!"

"Mom, you've been drinking for seven years." I deadpan. "You're probably barely resisting the urge to right now." A part of me regretted my words, but most of me was still angry that she became what she did and left me behind. Warren kicked me underneath the table, and I sent him a glare.

"I know honey. I know. But that's why I'm going. I'm going to get back on track. I promise." She looked genuine, but it wouldn't be the first time that she said those words to me without truly meaning them.

All I could see were flashes of my mom through my entire life.

When I was eleven and she was first getting drunk, It's only today, honey, I promise. I'll get it together tomorrow.