Troubled

15

chapter fifteen
percy

School went by insanely fast, meaning that Thanksgiving came faster than expected.

After wishing Grover and certain someone else goodbye, I made my way to the parking lot of school where my mom's familiar car was waiting for me.

Standing outside the car was my mother, bundled in a coat with a scarf wrapped around her neck. She instantly pulled me into a hug before getting inside the cold car.

"How is school? Tell me everything!" she said as she started the car while shivering.

I shrugged. "It's alright. I'm getting nearly all A's and B's. Well, one D, but math is hard!"

My mom laughed. "Ah, I see you inherited my bad math skills. But nearly all A's and B's?! That's impressive, I guess they really are teaching you better here, huh?"

"Yeah, I guess so," I replied, my face turning red. Annabeth certainly is... "So, what are we doing for Thanksgiving?"

School had released us a few days before Thanksgiving, but due to my mom's schedule she could only pick me up on Thanksgiving, leaving me practically alone at the school for a few days.

"I made the works. Turkey, rolls, cranberry sauce, stuffing. All of your favorite recipes," she answered with a grin. "Also, there may or may not be a secret dish of blue dyed mashed potatoes."

After discussing Thanksgiving, school, her job, and anything else on our minds, we finally arrived back in the city to the congested traffic and our tiny apartment.

"Ooh, looks like it's still hot!" my mom said as she led me inside.

Gabe sat on the couch, not even giving me grunt of acknowledgment. By the looks of it, he had already eaten nearly half of the food and was passed out on the couch.

My phone buzzed. I grinned as I read the message. I'd given Annabeth my phone number shorty before Thanksgiving break, claiming it was for 'tutoring' purposes.

<Annabeth> happy thanksgiving

<Percy> happy turkey day. I'm assuming your family is already driving you insane?

<Annabeth> oh yes ofc. It wouldn't be Thanksgiving without that. What r u doing?

I peered around the kitchen as Gabe snored loudly from the living room.

<Percy> not much, just at home. Wbu

<Annabeth> trying my best not to go insane.

After Annabeth and I texted for a while, I focused my attention back on my mom, who was warming up some food for me.

I watched as my mother took off her jacket and hung it up. Then I watched as she slowly and cautiously removed her scarf, revealing a huge bruise on the side of her neck.

I frowned as she moved around the kitchen as if nothing had happened. I peered from her and then to Gabe, suddenly feeling nauseous.

"Mom?" I asked as she set down two plates for us on the counter. She nodded. "Can I talk to you in my room?"

She frowned but reluctantly followed me to my bedroom which looked completely different.

All of my remaining stuff was gone, probably either stuffed in the closet or the trash. My mother had made the bed and cleaned everything, but Gabe's trash still remained everywhere.

She sighed as she hastily started to clean up his mess. "Oh, Percy, I'm so sorry. I had your room all clean and ready by the time I left, and Gabe promised me he wouldn't 'work' today...."

I grabbed my mom's arm, forcing her to stop cleaning. "Mom, what's on your neck?"

"My what—? Oh, this? Oh, this is nothing, no need to worry. Just, uh, some accident from work. Yeah, the candy shop. I'm so clumsy, I dropped a box on myself!" she obviously lied.

My mother often talked fast and a lot when she was nervous or lying, which confirmed my suspicions.

"Mom, drop the act."

"W-what act?"

"Mom, I know."

She sighed as she rubbed her face with her hands and sat down on my bed. I joined her side. "I'm so sorry, I didn't want for you to have to see that and worry. My scarf must've rubbed the makeup off..."

"What did he do?" I demanded.

"Percy, it's nothing, really," she assured me. "He just got a little mad, like he does. He's just hot headed, okay?"

I shook my head. "Mom, how long has this been going on? You...you can't stay with him, mon."

"Percy, it's fine, really—"

"Mom, no," I interrupted angrily. "You shouldn't have to put up with him. Especially not violence. I know you married him to protect me, protect us, but you need to divorce him."

She sighed. "Percy, it's not that easy—"

"Mom, I'll be okay. We'll be okay," I told her. "I'm not a kid anymore, okay? I'm nearly eighteen, and I can't see you be treated like that. I know you don't love him."

She nodded as she pulled me into a hug. "God, you're so strong willed. You remind me of your father every single day, you know?"

I nodded, not having the heart to fight her on that. Not now, anyways. "You'll do something about this, right? Don't just take it, mom. Please, end this. For you. For me...."

"I promise," she whispered. "Now, let's go enjoy some blue mashed potatoes. I also brought you a sample bag from the candy store."

"All blue?"

"All blue."

And somehow, in that moment, I knew that we would be okay someday.