Plaid Skirts and Handcuffs

Chapter 7

I had just left the hospital after visiting my mom. They said she's not doing much better, probably only doing worse, actually. I tried to ignore all of that as I got into my car, driving myself to the Way residence in a boat of pity. The house loomed over me as I drove up, parking and sadly stepping out. I rang the doorbell, waiting until Mrs. Way opened the door.

"There's some dishes you can start with," she said. "You can leave your shoes there, it'll be easier when you mop."

I nodded, pulling off my shoes and walking into the kitchen. Gee was sitting at the counter with a little bowl of goldfish crackers and a juice box. He looked up when he saw me, scrunching up his nose.

"W-what are you doing here?" He asked.

"Working off your window," I said.

"I think I'm gonna finish my snack somewhere else," he said, turning his nose up. He took the bowl and juice box, walking out of the room and calling out, "Mikey! Let's play a game!"

I stood in front of the sick that was littered with dishes. I started scrubbing them, putting my earbuds in to listen to music. After I had rinsed them all, I put them into the dishwasher and started it up. I wiped my hands off on a paper towel, tossing it into the trash. I looked around, taking in their house for the first time. The only other times I've been here I was either wasted or hungover.

The inside was even nicer than the outside. With pristine marble floors and chandeliers in every other room. There were thick white and gold curtains--well, apparently they were drapes, but I didn't know there was a difference. Fancy statues were placed around the house that I'm pretty sure are worth more than me. There were more expensive things, many things that would never be seen around my house. Unless I were to have stolen them, of course.

"Mrs. Way?" I called.

I heard footsteps and she came over.

"Okay, well, you--"

She was cut off when the door opened.

"I'm home!" He called, but there was no response. "I have presents!"

"Hey, dad!" Gee shouted.

Mr. Way walked into the room with Mikey and Gee following. Gerard was smiling wide, bouncing on the balls of his feet with excitement.

"Can I have it now?" Gee asked enthusiastically, holding his hands out.

"Hold on, just give me a second," Mr. Way said with a chuckle.

I shrunk back farther into the corner, seeming to have been forgotten about. I watched with slightly envy as Donald gave Donna a kiss, ruffling both the boys' hair and having Gee complain and try to fix it again. It really was like a perfect family, something that mine has never experienced.

"Presents," Gee whined eagerly.

"Okay, okay, Gee," Mr. Way said with a laugh, holding up his hands.

Gee giggled, bouncing up and down as he clapped his hands together.

"Well first one is for my beautiful wife," Donald said. "Reservation for two at Restaurant Latour tomorrow night."

I nearly felt myself throw up. That's one of the most expensive restaurants in all of New Jersey. I'm sure one restaurant bill could outweigh all my mom's medical bills combined. Okay maybe not, but I can only dream of ever going to a place like that.

"And for my two precious boys," Mr. Way continued, pinching both their cheeks.

Mikey made a noise of embarrassment, batting his hand away while Gee smiled proudly.

"For Mikey," he started, "I have a first edition Batman comic signed by Chip Kidd."

That lucky, lucky boy.

"Oh my god, dad!" Mikey exclaimed, taking it from his hands. "This is awesome! Thank you!"

"It's nothing," he replied. "And now, last but not least, gee."

Gerard looked like he was about to die in anticipation. I watched him pull out a new dress. It was light pink, sleeveless with a studded collar around the neck. Around the waist was black ribbon that was formed into a perfect bow. He also pulled out two silver necklaces. Gee's jaw dropped and he took the items into his arms.

"Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!" Gee cheered.

"And I was thinking we can maybe go to the zoo or something over the weekend," Mr. Way suggested, earning even more exclamations of agreement, especially from Gee.

There were hugs and kisses around and I stood awkwardly. I can't even recall how many times I've dreamed of this. Of having a loving family. Being able to have dinner together around a table, have nice Christmases, be able to do things together like go to the zoo or the movies or just anything. I've always wanted a dad, I had one but he was gone too soon. And I've always wished for a brother or sister, someone to make my house less lonely. Countless times I've wished for good health for my mother but nobody seems to be listening.

"Um, hello?" I asked, breaking up the moment.

"Oh, it's you," Mr. Way said.

I rolled my eyes, crossing my arms over my chest.

"So glad I get respect," I said sarcastically.

"You're just some punk kid with tattoos and piercings," Donald said.

I sent him a glare, making my way to leave the house.

"You still have more work to do," Mr. Way said, stopping me in my tracks.

I groaned turning back around. Mikey was flipping through his new comic and Gee was holding his dress up against himself in admiration.

"Mop the first floor," he said. "Mop's in the second closet on the left down the hall."

I turned around, making a face but still going to the closet. I angrily grabbed the mop, seeing that it was one of those steam press ones. I dragged it to the kitchen, filling the bottom container with water. I plugged it in, waiting for it to heat up. The loving family had retired to the living after Gee said he wanted to play board games.

When the mop was heated up enough, I began to mop the floors, listening to the music that streamed through my earbuds. The job was rather annoying and tedious. Although not hard, seeing as the floors were almost spotless. I finished with the first floor, storing the mop back into the closet again. I stepped into the room where the Way's were all laughing.

"I'm gonna head out now," I said.

"Be here same time tomorrow," Mr. Way ordered.

I nodded, turning and walking out without so much as a goodbye. As soon as I was in the car, I had a cigarette between my lips. I fumbled with my lighter, setting the spark ablaze. I backed up, turning the car around and driving home. The sun had almost fully set, The sky a dark purple and soon to be dark blue. I turned on the radio, not wanting to be surrounded by the silence.

By the time I got home, The night had fallen upon me, the darkness enveloping me with the stars above. There was a moment of peace, standing here halfway between my car and my front door. I was just staring at the sky above me, my mind racing with thoughts. I thought of my mother, how she wasn't going to last much longer. She would be with my father. Whether in heaven or not, I don't know. I've never really believed in god very much, I went to church about twice a year as a child. But the thought of a nice, comforting place for my parents to rest relaxed me.

My father didn't have a peaceful death and I'm sure my mother won't either. My dad was being terrorized, I could only imagine how scared he was the moments before he died. As for my mother, dying from cancer could not be peaceful. I imagine it being torturous and painful, something I'd never want to experience. But I don't know how I'm going to die. It could be today or tomorrow. Could be painful or tranquilly. For all I know, I could live to be over a hundred years old, but I really don't want to have to live that long.

My phone rang, pulling me out of my thoughts. I looked down from the sky glancing at the contact that had Pete's name across the screen. I clicked answer, pressing the device up to my ear.

"Hello?" I asked.

"Why the hell are you staring up at the sky like that?" Pete asked. "You've been there for twenty minutes."

I looked at the street, seeing his car parked at the curb of my house and him sitting in the drivers seat.

"What do you want?" I asked.

"What, I can't just call you to hang out?" Pete asked.

I rolled my eyes, hanging up and walking over to his car. He rolled down the passenger side window as I leaned against it.

"I was gonna head over to Brendon's, wanna join?" Pete asked. "Bob's there too just so you won't feel like a third wheel."

"Thanks," I said sarcastically, but got into the car either way.

He drove off, heading into the direction of our friend's house.

"Where have you been all day?" Pete asked.

"I'm still trying to pay off the window that you broke," I stated.

Pete laughed. "God, so lucky you got blamed for that and not me, I'd hate having to work for the Way's."

I glared at him, but that only made him laugh harder.

"Do you ever see Mikey around there?" He asked.

"Not really, he usually tries to avoid me," I said.

Pete nodded, turning a few more times and within ten minutes we were at Brendon's house. Bob and Brendon were sitting on the couch together, a bag of chips in Brendon's hands. I went to grab some but Brendon just held them to his chest.

"Mine," he claimed.

I frowned at him, deciding it was better to not argue with him as I sat down beside Bob, just wanting to be able to go home so that I could drink and go to sleep.