Becoming a DeMarlo

21: "Sulking is not an option."

Chapter 21: "Sulking is not an option."

When I woke up, it was almost eleven p.m., and I was alone in my bed.

I was sore from sleeping in one position for too long and had to stretch out my back. It was then that I saw the melted ice pack beside me, and felt a bit ashamed at my earlier outburst.

Thankfully, the house was now silent, and I assumed that I could go downstairs to grab food without running into anyone.

I padded into the kitchen, opening the big, stainless steel fridge. The general house servants were off work after dinner was served, so I was free to grab leftovers without having to make idle conversation.

When I walked into the dining room with my food, I found Jasper sitting at the table, with a glass of alcohol in his hands.

I tried to sneak away, but I was neither quiet enough nor lucky enough.

"Feeling better, crybaby?" he jeered, seeming to be drunk already. 

I turned back, feeling irritated.

"Got enough alcohol there, boozehead?" I shot back.

He chuckled, before pouring more of the copper-colored liquid into his glass.

"Do you have some more to offer?" 

"Aren't you banned from drinking?" 

Jasper shook his head.

"Once a week. I'm down to once a week, with that bastard watching me," he spat, pointing to Terrance, one of the bodyguards, who was standing at the base of the room. I gave him a meek smile.

"Great," I mumbled, turning to leave again.

"Uncle Paul left because of you," Jasper piped up, making me stop and turn again. 

"What are you blaming me for? He hit me."

"Uncle Paul left because of you, Mom died because of you, Dad died because Mom died...," he trailed off to look me in the eyes with his own bloodshot ones. "Aren't you just lovely?"

Instead of anger, I felt a twinge of sadness in my heart for this obviously damaged man.

"Will an apology make you feel better?"

"I want my fucking parents back. That'll make me feel better. Can you do that?" Jasper snapped.

I shook my head.

"Then you can't help me," he huffed, pouring more alcohol into his glass, with the bottle almost finished now.

"Is that helping you?" I bravely asked, pointing to his liquor. 

"More than anyone else in this goddamn house," Jasper answered.

I sighed, not having the energy to put up with this, but still not wanting for him to believe that I was the sole cause of the problems in his life. 

"What do you want me to do?"

He opened his mouth immediately, at first, sending me daggers with his eyes as if he was ready to insult me. Then, he stopped, and looked down at the glass in his hand. Finally, he rubbed his eyes, before looking back up at me.

"Just leave. Go away."

I looked at him for a second longer, before giving up and walking away.

Only one battle a day.

—

The next morning was a Tuesday, but I was so not in the mood to go to school and have to see Tyler's stupid face.