PART 1 | PART 2 | PART 3 | PART 4 | PART 5 | PART 6 | PART 7 | PART 8 | PART 9 | PART 10

I speed up my steps as I speak.

“I am just about to go home Maddie.  It’s been a long day and I . . . ”

“It has been a long day for us all Lisa.  I have a strong feeling that you have some things that you are not sharing with us.  Am I right?”

YOU HAVE NO IDEA WHAT I AM NOT TELLING YOU!!!  I so wish that I could share this weight, especially with you.  I just can’t betray dad. I simply can’t.

There is no expression of irritation on Maddies’ face but I can tell that she is in earnest about knowing ANYTHING that I am withholding.  Continuing to walk toward my car with my back to all of them I call out.

“I will see you all later. Love ya!”

It is always a joy to see the love of my life.  Lord that boy eats, sleeps, and breaths that game. He is so good at it.  I only wish that we had the money to send him to camp.  I wish so many things for him.

“Hi Son.”

“Hey Mom.  Where you been?”

He gives me a sweaty hug.  I playfully push him away.

“At the church with your grandparents. They wanted to meet with your aunts and uncles about their end of life plans.”

YEAH AND I ALMOST GOT PUT UNDER THE LAMP BY YOUR AUNT MADDIE BUT I GOT AWAY!!!!!

“Come wash up while I fix dinner.  Is he home?”

It was obvious that the joyful mood quickly died.  It usually does when he is the topic of discussion.

“Yes Mam.  He got home a little before you pulled up.  What’s for dinner?  I am HUNGRY!!”

Patting his flat belly as I pass him and make my way to the door.

“Boy you are an endless hole.  You are ALWAYS hungry.  You better mind.  It will catch up with you one day.”

He laughed and showed off his abs.

“I WON’T HAVE THAT PROBLEM.”

As I walk in the door Allen sits, as usual, in front of the television.

“I wondered if I was going to have to cook.  Now that you are here, I don’t have to cook. . . or do I?”

THIS MAN HAS NO IDEA THAT I AM FAR FROM BEING IN THE MOOD FOR HIS MESS.

“Look man.  Don’t mess with me today.  I do my part.  You need to at least attempt to do yours.”

I put my things down and proceed to the kitchen.

“Hey Mom, can I go down to Dale’s for dinner? He has a new game I want to try out?”

NO!  NO YOU CAN’T LEAVE ME HERE WITH THIS IDIOT!!!  YOU ARE THE ONLY REASON THAT I AM STILL WITH HIM.  YOU HAVE TO STAY!!!

“Sure son. Just don’t stay too late.  Wait. Did you ask his mom?”

“Yes mam.  She’s fixing cabbage.  YUM!!!”

Giving him a sad look, I reluctantly agree.

“Alright.  Be home by 9.  I mean it. In the house by 9.”

He yells a response as he leaves.

“Well, I guess I am not even here.  He didn’t even acknowledge me being in the room.”

Grabbing a pan from the pantry I envision smashing him across the head with it.

“What are you smiling at?”

I quickly realized that a macabre like smile was on my face. IF HE KNEW WHAT I WAS THINKING!!!!

“I am smiling about my son. I’ll fix dinner.”

Turning to look out the kitchen window I am suddenly lost in the recaps of a long day. I am brought back by a hand that grips my shoulder.  Without thinking, I swat it away and take a defensive stance.

“WHAT IS WRONG WITH YOU WOMAN?  I WAS CALLING YOU AND YOU DID NOT RESPOND.  WHY ARE YOU SO JUMPY?”

Relaxing my body and regaining my composure I clumsily reach for the seasonings, knocking some over.

“I am fine. Don’t sneak up on me like that. You can get hurt doing that.”

“Oh really?  You know what.  I just eat at my Moms.  I out.”

FINALLY SOME PEACE!!!

To be continued…