Fear

9.

CARLTON FINALLY STOPPED trying to get me to talk after this morning. I think he finally understood that I had nothing else to say to him that I haven't already, and he was probably tired of sounding like a broken record as well. We didn't speak to each other all day, and the twins noticed the tension when we picked them up. They didn't even say much after they realized that we weren't saying anything to one another.

Once we got to the house, everyone left the car except Carlton. I glanced at him over my shoulder to see him resting his arms on the steering wheel, and his head resting on his arms. His head was down so he couldn't see me, but I had a feeling he knew I was looking at him. A pain lodged itself into my chest, and I had to look away. I was getting tired of being angry, sad, angry, sad, angry, sad all the time. Everything would have just been better if I just left.. but I physically cannot make myself do it anymore, and that scares the hell out of me.

I closed the door behind me with a sigh, "do you guys have homework that you need help with?"

The twins looked at me and shook their heads, climbing the stairs to go to their bedrooms. Our situation is now affecting them. I hated myself for that. I hated that I was causing a shift in their home because Carlton and I couldn't get along recently. I really need to leave now before I make things even worse.

But how?

The honking of Bruce's bus made me open the door and walk out slightly so that the bus driver could see I was there. I waved to the woman with a small smile, and the doors opened with Bruce walking down the steps with a wide smile. My smile brightened once he started running up to me with a loud scream. I chuckled as I bent down and lifted him into the sky before giving him a big squeeze.

"I missed you, Luna!" He said as I carried him toward the house. I stole a quick glance at the driver side mirror and immediately made eye contact with Carlton. I looked away quickly and smiled at Bruce.

"I missed you more, little munchkin! How was your day today?" I set him down once we got inside and helped him take off his shoes and fall jacket.

"It was crazy! Sally kissed my cheek and said we're getting married!" I took a double take and chuckled as I looked at him.

"Well that escalated quickly," I said under my breath. "Does she know that you don't want to marry her?"

"Wellllllll," he started while putting his index finger on his chin and looking off into the distance. "I think I do like her. I think I want her to be my wife! You'll come to the wedding?!" He asked excitedly.

I chuckled and nodded, "I wouldn't miss it for the world. Just tell me when it is and I'll be there." I winked at him with a smile and he engulfed me in a hug. "Now, let's get to that homework."

For an hour I was helping Bruce with his homework and playing games with him. Carlton hasn't come inside and I was starting to get worried, but he walked in behind Leah with groceries in his hands. I got up and took a few bags from her and set them on the counter in the kitchen.

"It's okay, dear, I can do that." She said once I started taking things out of the bags.

I turned around with a small smile, "I don't mind at all-"

"No, no, you've done more than enough for us. You just relax now." She shooed me out the kitchen while her and Carlton put the groceries away. I went back into the living room to see Bruce's stuff gone as well as him. He must have put his stuff away. My thought was confirmed when he came down the steps screaming 'I cleaned up, Mommy!'. I chuckled and made my way up the stairs. I stopped once I realized that I told Carlton I was switching rooms last night. I had to because I couldn't stand the silence or having another argument, so I made my way to Alexandria's room and knocked on her door.