Riot

Chapter 9

Marylee's POV:

I didn't have any classes or lectures on Thursdays, so I had dedicated this day to a full 8 hour work shift. Most weeks, I was even able to work an hour or two over time. My job wasn't bad, it being at a women's clothes store. Over the years, it had become a bit of a feminist hangout since my coworkers and most customers shared my ideologies. A welcome side effect of working at a clothing store was the fact that we got a free item of choice every season, out of the leftover stock.
Taking stuff home for free reminded me of my mom, which was both good and bad. Since my dad had ran off, we had relied on gifts and second hand items. It was a miracle that I had made it all the way to London. A miracle I really only had my mom to thank for. And perhaps myself a bit. It was about time I called home again.

Today had been a lousy day, even though the store was a good place. It was one of those days things just didn't quite go as planned. It had started in the morning, when I had spilled hot tea over my white shirt, when I was already running late. Terrible London weather on the way to and back from work had added up to it and as the icing on the cake, there was literally no food in the house, except for some yoghurt and crackers. I had worked ten hours today and I was exhausted.  I didn't feel the least for another trip through the rain to get my groceries. Maybe I'd just do with the crackers and yoghurt tonight. We probably had some jam left in the breakfast cabinet, that I could both put into my yoghurt and onto my crackers. It wouldn't be much of a meal, but at least I could stay home and ravel in my self declared miserable day.

Alison returned home shortly after me, when I'd just settled down with my food. I couldn't really call it dinner. She went into the kitchen without as little as an hello and I was alone again, until she returned to the living room with tea and a book she'd probably retrieved from her room. I couldn't imagine Alison leaving a book laying around in the kitchen.
'Have you eaten yet?' I asked, breaking her silence. She nodded and opened her book. With her cup of tea in her hand she started reading. I looked at the book, trying to read the title. It was one of the books she'd bought at the event the other day. I decided to ignore her just as she ignored me and focussed my attention on my food. When I was done I was going to call my mother. Or should I maybe call Mose? A little smile appeared on my face, but I quickly made it disappear again. I still was hesitant to call. What if he was going to disappoint me? He might as well. Most men were of that sort anyway. That's why I didn't care for relationships to begin with. Sheila and Jan were right to that extend. It was a mystery to me how people like Madeline could maintain a good relationship with a man for such a long time. A relationship of love and respect, if I was to believe her. And I did, maybe because I was naive, like Jan and Sheila thought, but I just couldn't see Madeline lying about it. She knew all of our feminist calls and demands and agreed with it. She wouldn't let her boyfriend dominate her. So could Mose be like that at all? Or did it just take more time before all fell apart? Maybe it took children for all hell to break lose. In that case, I was safe for I had no plans for a child yet. Maybe not ever. It sucked to be a mother with a husband and it also sucked to be a single mother.
I had finished the crackers I'd prepared and put away the plate, exchanging it for the bowl of yoghurt.
What sense did it make anyway to think this far ahead? I didn't really know what was going on in my mind. Why was I hesitant to call Mose, while I'd been fine with other short and unofficial relationships in the past? Well, I just had to get over it. All I had to do was just think of Sheila and Jan who basically forbade me to meet with him again. I would not let them have that victory.
I finished the bowl of yoghurt and got up to take my dishes to the kitchen, before making my way to the hallway, where we had our phone.
It rang when I was in the kitchen. I put my dishes away, without cleaning them up, to go and pick it up, but Alison was quicker. I followed her into the hallway and looked at her questioningly.
'Hi Mike', she said, gesturing to me that it was for her.
I tried to tell her trough gestures to make it quick but she only looked at me with a confused frown and shook her head, ushering me to leave and tell her later. I sighed, annoyed, but left the hallway anyway. I fell back on the couch. What a stupid day this was.

I had lots of ideas for useful things I could do while waiting for the phone, but honestly just couldn't put myself to it. Maybe it was not a great moment to call Mose, it was obviously my bad luck day. And if not, my mood could just ruin it all anyway.
I waited for Alison to finish her call, which I hoped wouldn't last long anymore, she had already been on the phone for a long time. If she stayed on it for another hour I wouldn't even be able to call home again, if I didn't want to wake anybody. She had to be done soon, or else I would tell her to hurry anyway.

When she hadn't finished her call fifteen minutes later, I pushed myself to my feet and scuffed towards the door to get to the hallway. I opened it a little, making Alison jump.
'Are you done yet?' I hissed.
Looking as annoyed as I felt she told Mike to wait for one second and placed her hand over the receiver.
'I can't hang up right now Marylee.'
She wanted to return the phone to her ear, but I was quicker with my response.
'You've been on it for an hour and a half Alison, I need it too.'
She shook her head.
'You're gonna have to call him tomorrow Marylee.'
Anger rose inside of me. How on earth could someone be so judgemental?
'I want to call my mom, not some boyfriend I don't have.' I snapped.
She shook her head again.
'It's gonna have to wait. Can you please leave, 'cause this call is only gonna take longer this way. I'm not doing this for fun either.'
'Just tell your brother to mind his own business.'
'Can you please leave Marylee.'
It was no use. I was not gonna get her off that stupid phone. I gave her my most annoyed look and then left her with her brother to whom she immediately started making excuses. What a ridiculous and horrific relationship these two had. She literally followed his every command. I leaned against the door to hear what else she had to say to Mike.
'I know how you think about it.'
'Yes, yes, mom and dad agree, but you know I don't. Can you please look at it from my perspective?'
'Yes, I do. I want to stay at uni.'
'Thank you.'
'Yes'
'Yes, I guess that is reasonable than.'
'No, I don't even care for those statements. Of course I don't agree!'
'Yes, allright.'
'No'
'I know'
'Well, yeah, see you soon than.'
'Yeah.'
'Okay, bye Mike.'
She was saying goodbye. I hurried back to the couch in the living room and sat down, leaning back casually. Just in time before Alison opened the door.