What Happens in the Dark

Chapter 21

I decided to go smoke on the balcony. I wonder what time Monroe would be over this evening. I hadn't heard from him since our text conversation that happened this morning. It made me smile to think about. Right now he is hunting with his family, drinking from poor animals that didn't even know what was coming. It's better than humans though.

I thought about how Raymond is a werewolf. I one hundred percent did not see that one coming. I know Monroe had something going on that sketched me out, but I never would've guessed Raymond was a werewolf.

The trees swayed back and forth, it was another gray day, I wasn't complaining though. My favorite weather was dark, cloudy, rainy days. In Texas the sun was always out I burn too easily for all of that.

My phone started ringing. Mom.

I sighed. At least I have a cigarette to deal with this. I answered.

"Hello?"

"Seven, I haven't talked to you in so long how are you?" She asked. She didn't sound drunk which surprised me. However it wasn't five yet.

"Hey mom, I've been good." I answered hesitantly.

"I've been up here at uncle Ronnie's. I'm ready to go home." She sounded miserable, "I bet you feel the same about Dana." She scoffed.

"I actually really like it up here." I answered causing a silence. "The school is nice and my grades have been-"  

"Well I guess it isn't hard to top our home." She cut me off irritated.

"Not at all." I said flatly.

"Well I'm glad you're loving your new life. You must not miss your old mom anymore." Even though she didn't sound drunk the drunken emotions were extremely apparent.

"Mom don't do this." I sighed.

"Do what? It's the truth. You treat me like your father now. You're distant."

"I'm not doing this with you today okay? I've had a really good day and I don't want to get upset." I warned.

"What about my day?"

I hung up the phone instantly taking a long drag of my cigarette. Even being hundreds of miles away she was still toxic. Our first conversation in almost a month goes like this. I let out a sigh looking back out into the huge backyard.

This is the reason I suck at not only expressing my emotions, but comforting people who have them. Briana could always read how I was feeling, I wouldn't have to explain, and I guess that's what draws me to Monroe, aside from him in general.

*********

We ate dinner around six and I still hadn't heard from Monroe. Raymond didn't eat with us either. He said he had to go home to see him uncle.

"Did you talk to your mother today Seven?" My aunt asked pulling me out of my thoughts.

"Yeah I did." I twirled my fork around not wanting to even think about it.

"How did it go? You don't look to thrilled." She made a face of concern.

"I thought she wasn't drunk at first, but I think she was. She started using her narcissistic ways of communication." I grabbed my plate bringing it to the kitchen hearing my aunt sigh behind me.

"I'm sorry hunny."

"Dont apologize, she's gonna need a lot of time to get back to normal." I didn't even know what 'normal' was for her. The last time I saw her sober I was eight.

"Well Seven, you're right, however you can't carry her baggage on yourself. Only she can want to change." Her platinum blonde hair was pulled up by her reading glasses. She was already in her pajamas and gave me a tight hug. I've only ever given one arm hugs because I hate when people touch me, but this time I was thankful to have her in my life. I hugged her back causing her to smile.