LET ME TELL YOU WHAT HAPPENED

CHAPTER 3

I'm glad I'm back home. Today has been hectic. I got detention for fighting, I tried to help a kid get out of a fight and now that I'm back home, I pretty much regret doing that. Mom had told me to make friends this morning and I tried, but I did not expect to get in trouble for that.

It's not my fault that Nicloas has no morals. He always picks a fight with people and I feel sorry for Max, having to deal with that. He is new to Eastside High, how was he suppose to know Nicolas would want to fight him.

I do feel embarrassed though, Max dealt with Nicolas all by himself. It was like I wasn't even there. All I did was lay down on the floor, pretending I was knocked out while Max did all the fighting. That proves that I'm not cut out to fight.

I know that mr. Lang told us he'd be calling our parents, but by the way mom's acting I think she missed it.

"Carlos.", mom calls me as I head to my room.

I guess she did get the call.

I stand by the kitchen door. "I want us to talk.",mom says.

I throw my bag to the couch and brace myself. Well she received the call and now I'm dead. Damn you mr. Lang. Maybe if I deny everything I'll be okay. But that means I'd be lying to her. I've never lied to my mom, except abiut small things.

"Okay Carlos I know you're being affected by your dad and I fighting constantly.", mom says walking to me and holding on to my hand. "I know you're just trying to deal with it all. Caleb being in hospital and...", she hesitates. "I know you're trying to deal with everything. But that doesn't mean you should cause trouble at school."

"Mom it's not because of you and dad.", I say freeing my hands from her hold. "It's not because of Caleb either."

"What is it then?"

"It's complicated mom.", I say.

"Just explain everything to me. I'm sure we can work things out."

I sigh. "Mom can we talk about this another time? I've got homework and I need to change too."

"Okay sure we'll... we'll talk later then"

I go to my room and face plant myself on the pillow. I feel like screaming, but I don't want to startle mom.
I wish I could tell her everything. Be honest with her.

I know mom hurts a lot because of dad and Caleb. She is brave and strong so she doesn't show her feelings too much. I mean, she is a lawyer. But maybe being vulnerable would help her for once. It would help me too.

She does speak to her friend Zoey who works at the restaurant a few blocks from here. She calls her when dad doesn't come home till late at night. But she never speaks of how she feels. Or what's is really going on in our home. And mom also refuses to go to a therapist.

I wish she would just not try to work things out on her own and look for help. Her life is not like one of her cases.

But I don't blame her for pretending everything is normal. I also do it. I've kept my feelings a secret for so long I feel I can't talk about them anymore.

****

I hear mom calling me to dinner. It's about 20:00 in the evening now. We're eating alone tonight just like most nights because dad is not here. Dad used to come home late long before, but it was always before Caleb and I fell asleep. Now it seems that dad does not even care anymore.

He comes home now early in the morning. Long after I've fell asleep. Dad maybe coming home late because he is avoiding fighting with mom, but maybe its more than that. Maybe he may have already given up on the marriage and this family all together.

"Okay good night mom. I'm heading to bed.", I say.

"Okay good night see you in the morning.", mom says.

Even though I do feel tired, I know I won't be falling asleep immediately. I'll still be thinking about mom and Caleb, where dad may be and thinking of Cece too.

Mom won't be sleeping either, she'll be waiting for dad to come home first. I see her awake every time I go to the bathroom at night.

I manage to fall asleep after I've thought of all my problems. It has become a routine now. I think of all the problems I have from start to finish and afterwards I eventually fall asleep.