Adrenalin

Chapter 13 - Sydney

Sorry it's been a while since I updated, I've been a bit busy. How was everyone's Christmas? Mine was rather interesting xD anyway, enjoy the next chapter and comment some suggestions - or anything really, I love comments <3
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And so life sort of turns back to normal – I got to school, pick up Riley, help the boys do their homework, feed them, take care of all the boring adult shit and in the meantime, mum is still absent. Not that I give a fuck. As long as that money is left on the table and I can keep the house and feed the boys, then I’m satisfied with her effort.

It saddens me sometimes that sometimes I don’t talk to my mother for more than three weeks even though we live in the same house. I’m fast asleep by the time she gets home, and then she’s up again at some unearthly hour doing whatever she does during the day – I think she’s working but who knows if she has that job. My best guess is that she’s either getting drunk or high... or both. And then she’s a stripper by night. How fun it is trying to explain that to teachers.

Riley and I walk inside after our drive home from school. My eyes go straight to the kitchen table. There’s a wad of cash there, but considerably smaller than it should be. I contain a frustrated scream as I dump Riley’s school bag on the couch and walk over to the money.

We get paid Wednesday and rent (along with most other bills) is due Friday. So if I’m short on money... then basically, I’m fucked. I pick up the cash, pull off the elastic band and start counting the hundred dollar notes.

Three-hundred... four-hundred... five-hundred...

Only five-fucking-hundred?! Oh, you have to be fucking kidding me. I scrunch up my fists and resist the temptation to punch something. Well, looks like I better call Danny and get me a race tonight. And yes, I love racing, but technically it’s illegal. As if I have time for a proper fucking job. And there’s no way I’m getting into the drug business. I stay the hell away from that shit.

“What’s wrong?” Riley asks, noticing my glassy eyes.

“Nothing,” I force a smile. “We just might be a bit tight this week.”

“Oh.” He says quietly. “So will Nanny and Pa be looking after me tonight?”

He’s a smart kid. He knows that when we’re tight on money, it means I have to go out, Nan and Pa look after him, and when I return I have more money. Nan and Pa don’t know, of course, and either does Riley exactly, but he’s caught on to the minor details.

I nod. “That’s right. You know I’ll always be back, though.”

He nods. “Yeah.”

The front door opens and in comes Bentley, obliviously loud as usual. He bangs the door closed, kicks shit out of his way, and throws his bag into his room. He doesn’t do it on purpose – he’s just a noisy motherfucker.

“What took you so long to get home, aye?” I ask as he makes a beeline for the fridge.

He slams it closed, dissatisfied. “Why is there always no fucking food?”

“Because firstly, you eat it all,” I tell him. “And secondly, do you think I shit money out of my ass or something?”

He ignores me, stuffing a piece of stale bread into his mouth as he plonks onto the couch, turning on the TV. Such an inconsiderate dickhead.

“So where were you?” I ask again calmly.

“You’re not my fucking mother.” He growls and it stings me a bit.