All the Wrong Reasons

Family Tension

Chapter 4: Family Tension

“You took your time” Jennifer said snidely when I arrived home.

“Bite me” I snapped as I pulled off my shoes. I tossed them under the hall table and dumped my coat on a chair. My feet felt like they were on fire. I had discovered to my dismay the bus didn’t run after five, and I’d just had to walk back more than four miles. Thank goodness I had worn trainers today and not heels.

“Language, Annabeth” Jennifer replied in a sanctimonious tone.

I closed my eyes and took a very deep breath. Don’t reply, I told myself sternly, don’t reply.

The long walk had helped me calm down a bit, but in truth, I was still feeling a little shaky and upset. My head felt like there was a whirlwind inside it. Thoughts were spinning around like a tornado. Going to see Connor had been a mistake. I couldn’t get the image of him lying in that hospital out of my head. The huge pile of guilt weighting down my shoulders since Saturday had expanded exponentially. Plus, it had reminded me of how easily our places could have been reversed, how easily it could have been me in the hospital bed, and now I felt even guiltier because deep down I was relieved I hadn’t been the one driving when the drunk in the 4x4 had crashed into Connor’s car.

I wandered into the kitchen and switched the kettle on. Jennifer was using her laptop on the kitchen table.

“Where did you go dashing off to?”

“I had to go and pick something up” I replied.

“Right. And how’s your friend?”

I rolled my eyes. I should have known I couldn’t fool my sister. Say what you like about her, but Jennifer was one sharp cookie, and she could almost always tell when I was lying. She probably got it from our father, because Mum never noticed anything.  

“Not very well” I said, almost but not quite managing to keep my tone light.

“I’m sorry, Annie” for once her tone was neither snide nor derisive, just sympathetic.  

I almost broke down right there and there. I could deal with sarcasm or cattiness, but sympathy cut right through all my defences. However I was not about to accept anything from my sister, not even sympathy, and there was no way I was going to cry in front of her. Show no weakness in front of thy enemies, that was my motto.

“It’s all right, I don’t care.” I tossed my head “I hardly knew him”

I spun around and flounced out of the kitchen. I headed straight for my bedroom and slammed the door, enjoying it as the noise echoed through the house. Stupid and childish, but I needed to get some of this crap out of my system before I exploded. Then I flopped onto my bed and buried my head in my pillow. I had got myself under control again. This was promising. I was getting better at this.

My mobile rung, it’s irritating tinny ringtone grating on my nerves. I put the pillow over my head and tried to muffle the sound.

“Shut up, shut up, shut up” I growled, willing the bloody thing to be quiet. Oh, if only someone would invent a mobile telephone that listened to you.

I sat up and pulled the trilling, vibrating object out of my pocket and checked the caller ID. Ashley. Oh god. I was tempted to hurl the hateful thing across the room so it smashed on the opposite wall. I imagined it hitting the wall with a crack before dropping to the floor in several pieced. I briefly debated ignoring her, but I knew from experience Ashley would continue pestering me until I answered. Better get it over as quickly as possible.

“Hello?”

“Annabeth!!!” Ashley’s squeal made me cringe.

“Hey Ash” I said wearily. “What’s up?”