Troubled

SIX

CORA PHILLIPS

After school, I walked slowly back home, I was exhausted, but I knew mom was home, I didn't want to use up all the good vibes and energy I had gotten from Xander, I knew talking to Mom would suck it all up like a vacuum cleaner. But there was almost nothing I could do to prevent it, she was my mom. We shared the same roof, i couldn't escape it. As I kicked dried leaves on the floor, I remembered when I was a kid, the first times I started to experience the disasters, mom would hug me and whisper it was okay. The first time I had the storm, I could see the literal fear in her eyes but she told me it was okay, I was okay. But they kept coming, she still said I was okay, she took me every where she knew and was recommended. It didn't go. Suddenly one day, it wasn't okay anymore, I wasn't okay anymore. I guess she had enough and was tired.

My house came into view, I felt some of the Xander energy leave my body. I took a deep breath and put on my fake smile, and walked towards the house. I opened the front door with my keys and walked in, I saw Cory sitting on the couch watching TV, I removed my shoes silently, I didn't want him to know I was home, he would come to meet me and I would feel guilty for what happened in the morning.

My dad saw me anyway as I tried to sneak upstairs, something mom would have been grateful for.

"Hey pumpkin! You are back!!" He exclaimed. I smiled at him, and looked around nervously for mom.

"Hey Dad." I greeted. Cory turned the minute he heard my voice.

"Coraaa!!!" He shrilled smiling, he ran from his spot to hug me.

"Hey Cee! How are you?" I said rubbing his head. I knew mom was around. Touching him farther than that would mean trouble. And that was something I was avoiding. Dad looked at me sadly, and nodded towards the kitchen. That meant she was there. I smiled thankfully at him.

"You seem fine now Cee, soon you would be able to go back to school." I told my brother.

"Well I don't think I want to be fine, I don't want to go to school." He said frowning.

Me too baby brother, me too.

"But you will miss all your friends."

He seemed to consider this a bit.

"I guess I have to go, Danny is still with my toy anyway." He said shrugging his little shoulders.

Before I could reply, the cartoon he was watching sang his favorite song and he bolted away from me, sitting in front of the TV and singing along. I chuckled at his enthusiasm. I wished my life was that simple. I went inside the kitchen to greet mom.

"Hey Mom." I said standing awkwardly at the door way. I didn't know how to act around her this days.

She gave me a stiff smile, very stiff, not one meant for your first child. But it warmed my heart, I didn't know when last she even looked in my general direction, but smiling was a different story, I wanted to hug her, but it was too soon.

"Let us talk after dinner." She said turning back to the stove. I blinked, she wanted to talk, mom wanted to talk to me. I was so excited, this day just got better.

I dashed out of the kitchen, and into my room. Smiling the realest smile I had smiled in years. I spinned, giggling as I threw my bag into one of the bean bag chairs. Suddenly I was nervous, what do I wear to dinner, we hadn't done family dinners in a long while.

I brought out my pale pink sleeveless dress that stopped below my knee, I had bought it months ago, but never got the chance to wear it. I nodded, it was perfect, casual but enough to make mom know that I made an effort. I decided it would be best to curl my hair, like hers.

Twenty minutes of frustrating use of a curling iron, I was finally set for dinner. I smiled at my reflection.

"Hey Cora! Dad asked me to call to come down for dinner." Cory said poking his head in my room. I smiled at him.

"Why are you all dressed up?" He asked looking so confused.

"Oh nothing" I said walking out of the room with his hand in mine. Dad was setting the table when got down.

"Wow Cora you look nice, any special occasion?" Dad complimented. I smiled, and shrugged.

"No reason in particular, just wanted to look different."

"Well it's looks perfect." He said smiling at me.

"Thanks Dad."

Mom came into the dining room with the plates of steaming pasta, it was Cory's Favorite. I smiled.

She looked startled at my get up, but didn't say anything. I couldn't complain, after all she offered to talk to me after dinner.

She passed the plate without extra spicy sauce, my heart warmed as she did, it meant she remembered how much I hated spicy food, while everyone in my family loved it.

After we had eaten, I cleared the plates and did the dishes as fast as I could, I couldn't wait to hear what she had to say.

As I went to the sitting room, Cory was not there anymore, just mom and Dad.

"Did you get the stuff you went for?" I asked her.

She looked at me then past me, before bringing her eyes to the TV.

"Yes, that is why I asked to see you." Her smooth voice. It was directed at me, after so many months.

"Sounds serious.. what is it about?" I asked her.

"Who wants to drink anything?" Dad asked suddenly, in that instant I knew it was serious, he won't blurt it out randomly if he knew it wouldn't hurt me. I swallowed.

"I went out today to find someone who can help you." She started. My heart fell instantly, she didn't understand.. didn't want to understand...

"Mom..we already tried that.." I said almost pleading.

"Yes we have, but we haven't tried Miss Suzy!! She is the best psychiatrist in the the city!!" She said with her eyes blazing.

"I'm not mad mom! I'm normal.. just a few glitches here and there..but I'm not mad please..I don't need a psychiatrist!" I pleased with tears running down my face.

With a calm face she replied, "if you won't go.. you would never be able to see Cory ever again."