Right There: A Story of Friendship

Chapter Twelve

The next morning I didn't want to get up. It felt like my entire body had turned into stone. Even just opening my eyes felt like a chore. I once again remembered last night that my dad was going to be out of town for a whole week, leaving me and my sister and our mom by ourselves.

Normally this wouldn't even bother me. Before my mom got sick he had gone on plenty of business trips and none of ever batted an eye. But after Lupus ravaged our home, any thought that my dad would be away caused fear to set in. Just something about not having him here casts a fretful mood in our house. Worst case scenarios played in my head like a horror movie I can't stop thinking about.

My poor sister. I know she didn't mean to storm off into her room last night. But things have been really hard on her. Mom hasn't allowed any of her friends to come over because her migraines are made worse by noise and stomping upstairs. Usually Delia happily obliges and tries to make our mom comfortable, but being a young teenager and having to cope with a sick parent is tough. And even though I'm a bit older than her, I can relate. Because I'm going through it right beside her. I'm about to have to make one of the most scariest phone calls of my life. Asking Crystal if I can somehow take a week-long vacation even though I haven't even worked there for a full year. I'm not expecting a paid vacation by any means, but what I'm worried about is Crystal firing me.

I sat up on the side of my bed and looked at the streak of sunlight coming through the closed blinds. I felt cold and shaky. I needed to find the right words to say before I call, but I couldn't think of any. The temptation to say forget it and slide back under the covers was fierce. But I knew I needed to be the adult and get it over with. So I took a deep breath, and decided to just wing it. Come what may.

"Hello?" Crystal greeted. She sounded like she was in a terrible mood. Instantly my anxiety went from a four to a ten. I braced myself and strained to speak.

"Y-yes, this is Riley Carlton-" I began, voice drier than a desert. "I know this is short notice, but-"

"Riley?" she butted in rudely, "My busboy?"

"Yes, ma'am," I said, completely losing my train of thought. I grimaced and shook my head.

"Oh perfect. Listen honey, Samantha called last night and said she was going out of town with her parents on vacation and needs you to cover for her until she gets back next Wednesday," she said. "I can count on you, right?"

A stillness hung in the air. I didn't know what to say. The whole reason I was calling her was because I couldn't work this week. I panicked and tried to quickly think of something to say to turn it around, but I couldn't. I rolled over and totally played dead. Like I always do.

"Um, y-yeah. I can do that, whatever you need," I said, nervously chuckling. Inside I was kicking myself. What are you doing?! Your mom needs you home while your dad is away. How could you! Do you know what you're going to do now?

"Okay, that is awesome. Just perfect. Thank you so much baby," Crystal crooned. We hung up and I held my head low. Why do I always do this to myself? Why can't I stand up for myself sometimes? Now what am I supposed to do? I wondered.

What made me even sicker was knowing that Sam was not going on "vacation" with her parents. She totally made that up as an excuse to get a week off work to prepare for her little house party this weekend. She completely lied to Crystal and got a vacation-for a stupid reason, a party her parents didn't even know about! And here I was with my dad about to go on a business trip and being left having to care for my mom. I wanted to go off and call Crystal back and explain to get myself off the schedule, but I knew she wouldn't believe me. She liked Sam more than me anyway.

I put my phone on my nightstand and slipped back under my blankets and hid for a couple of more hours. Anything to forget the mess I had just got myself into. Even if just for a little while.