Always

Chapter Eighteen: Misters & Pictures

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   “I can’t right now Mom! Brian’s on his way to pick me up!” I shove on a clean hoodie, messing up my hair in the process, but didn’t seem to care. 

   “You need to stop seeing that boy June.” 

   I turn to glare at her, hate in my eyes. “How could you say that? He’s the most important thing in my life.” 

   “And I’m not?” 

   I groan. “Of course you are Mom!” I was starting to get really, really mad at her. 

   She was trying to mess with my emotions, and she knew I couldn’t stand people doing that. “I just gotta go, alright?” I look for my purse, where it was hung on the living room couch. I drape it over my shoulders, avoiding my mom’s stare. 

   “Ever since your dad died, you’ve been someone else.” 

   I stop in my tracks. 

   How could she? 

   I look at her, enraged more than ever. “How dare you bring him up!” 

   She only shrugs like it’s not a big deal. Alright, she wants to push my button? Oh, I’ll push her’s right off the edge. 

   “Ever since Dad died I’ve become a stronger person! Not some person who hides away from this world like you do! At least I don’t cry every night that he’s gone unlike you do! Ring, ring Mom: It’s reality! People are going to die!” I take a deep breath, ignoring the hurt in her eyes.

   “And Brian?” I laugh softly. “He’s better. He’s stronger. He’s there for me. I’d rather spend the rest of my life with him instead of you.” 

   I turned my heel and walk out the door. The last thing I saw from her was a single tear go down her face, making me regret every word I said.

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