Street Smart

Chapter 72: Nick

"What do you think — they're talking about?" I questioned Sam as she sat at the end of my bed on her phone. She shrugged,

    "Who knows; the chick's nuts."

    She stood up to try and listen. I tried shifting my body, but it was too painful so I stayed put. Sam turned back around with no luck of eavesdropping.

    "You know, you should treat Mom with a little more respect." I said.

    "The women doesn't even know what that word means." She rolled her eyes.

    "Well that women gave birth to you, so without her there would be no you."

    "With her, though, there's no me. All she wants is to get rid of me."

    "She loves you more than you realize. Just think about everything she's had to give up to have you."

    "And that would be what? I think you meant to say think about all the things I have to give up to be with her. Which sucks, cause I don't want to be with her."

    I wasn't sure if there had been some kind of explosion today, or if this was just Sam's normal attitude about Mom. I didn't have a good comeback, which meant my argument just turned invalid. Truth is, I can't think of anything that Mom's had to give up for Sam compared to what Sam goes through every day, and what might happen if she loses the bet, but I just think Sam has too narrow of a perspective. Maybe she can't ever change that; I mean, she's experienced her life with Mom the way she has and that can't be redone. I just think it's a shame.

    I'm all with Sam to be against Mom right now, but I also know that Mom isn't all bad. She has her moments. I don't think someone can just be "the villain." I think there has to be something inside that's driving the reign of evil and sometimes the villain can forget about that evil for long enough to shine some hope and truth into another person's life, or at least a little happiness.

    My mom and Sam are a lot alike. They're not villains. They're not even enemies. They're just too much alike for their own good. Growing up, Sam wasn't a bad kid. She just knew the exact moment to shine. And she used her power just like Mom used hers. When my mom was at her worst, Sam came out strong. She wasn't much of a fighter. More of a debater, asking rhetorical questions and questions she knew would stir up tension and anger and emotions in Mom. I think that's what she liked to see — the effect she could have on someone. I never for a moment thought Sam was doing it to be mean, because she's never mean; she knows her limits. Sam just knows Mom's limits even better. But, truth be told, I think my mom actually liked the tension and the daily challenge of Sam. When it wasn't just nagging. When it was a real debate, even if it was just about buying a cookie or playing outside or not doing homework, they both got into it like nothing you've ever witnessed before. You could see it in their eyes — the passion oozing.    

    They both want the same thing at the end of the day. Success. I think the coolest part, and the one that neither of them have really acknowledged, is they want success for the same person. Samantha — Sam — Bridge. One wants it educationally, the other more...emotionally, I'd say. They've got different aspirations, but the goal is there. I guess the worst part about this bet is that one of them has to lose. Or there was no competition at all.

     In a life where they're all competition, I can't imagine one of them not being in it. Then again, that's never going to happen. The bet will end and they'll still be at. They always will be. It's in their nature. When you're that alike, you can't not be driving the other person crazy.