Troubled

SEVEN

KYLE GARCIA

After school, I could not wait to go home, I was tired, sweaty and felt like sleeping. School was exhausting, I even had to drop off Dawson, his car was seized by his Dad since last week, he had attended a party two towns away. When his dad heard about it, he was not happy. So he seized the car, he was lucky he didn't get to spend the night in the cell, he had done it before, to Dawson's elder brother, their father was a no nonsense person, yet he sons were terrible, I briefly wondered what he did in his past life to warrant such terrible sons.

I drove care fully, a cigarette hanging from between my thumb and forefinger, I was lost in my thoughts. My mind recalled the girl from earlier, Ray had said she was Troubled, whatever that meant. I think she was a regular high school teen with serious anti-social behavior. I won't classify it as Troubled.

My huge house came into view, I immediately felt relief, I was driving slowly though, I wanted to smoke a bit more before I walked inside, but I still got there. I threw the cigarette butt out of the window, opened all the windows, popped a mint gum in my mouth, used my cologne again, spit the gum out, put a fresh gum in, then spit it out when I drove to the front of the gate, I didn't want the CCTV capturing me spitting out the gum, they would know. I checked my mouth, it was okay, no hint of cigarettes, I smiled to myself, the gate opened for me, I drove inside. I spotted a familiar Chevy, it made me smile and and sigh. I really loved my grandma, but she stressed me out every single time we meet. I wondered what she wanted now, she usually made up different reasons to Leave her Villa. I wouldn't blame her, it would be lonely there.

I parked my car at the garage, and walked inside the house. First thing I noticed was the scent of homemade cinnamon rolls. That was Grandma's signature meal. She would always make them when she comes here, I loved them, they are delicious.

"Hey Grandma!" I said greeting her.

Even though she was backing me, and I was very silent, she was not startled.

"Here comes the delinquent!!" She exclaimed cheerily.

I was not bothered by what she had called me, she had called me worse names before. Since she knew I picked up the cigarettes when I was sixteen.

"Grandma, you know very well that delinquent is not the word." I said hanging by the door way.

"Social miscreant then?" She asked

I laughed, this is why I loved her, she didn't sugar coat her words, I was used to it now, her words were always sharp and precise, it was refreshing actually.

"Welcome home Grandma." I greeted again.

"I didn't know you would still be here, I thought you went to your room." She said still backing me.

"Why are you even here? Don't you have a house?" I jokingly asked.

"Because I have something to discuss with you, besides this is my son's house, go to your own son's house!" She exclaimed pettily.

I laughed, the woman never failed to remind me that I was a free loader in her son's house, even if he was my father, she would always say it.

I left her in the kitchen after sneaking out two of her rolls. I got to my room, dropped on the bed, sighing I sunk into the soft bed. After a few minutes I decided to have my bath, and go downstairs for dinner.

I went downstairs to find grandma setting up the table with our helps, I sat down on one of the chairs.

"What's for dinner?" I asked.

"You tell me, I will make whatever it is they make at juvenile." Grandma said dropping the last fork. Her face didn't show what she felt at all. I laughed.

"I don't think you would make it as good as they make it there Grandma."

This was how our relationship was, always throwing banters, none of us meaning it.

"Okay you two are at it again." Mom said walking in the door.

I smiled at her, she looked tired but perfect in her pencil skirt and a blouse, with her hair clipped back. She looked the part of my Dad's secretary perfectly.

"Welcome home Mrs. Garcia" I greeted her, purposely taunting grandma.

And it worked, she muttered something under her breath.

"Please stop taunting your grandma honey." Mom said going upstairs to change. Soon after she joined us, and we started eating.

"What about Dad? Working late again?" I asked.

She nodded, "you know how he gets when he is into his stuff."

I nodded, I don't think I'd ever understand how in the world making medicine makes dad excited. It was his turf, always his thing, from a hobby to a job opportunity. Makes me wonder if I could turn my hobby of smoking into a job opportunity.

"I said I have something to discuss with you right?" Grandma said immediately we finished our meal.

"You want to get re married? Who would want to put up with your attitude for the rest of his life??" I exclaimed. She gave me a withering look.

"Many men are in line waiting for me if you may know."

I scoffed, but she was beautiful, she had my dad early so she wasn't that old, only in her sixties. She was just unfortunate that her husband died from a heart failure.

"I did a lot of thinking back at the Villa, I concluded that I cannot save you on my own." Grandma said in a serious voice.

"What do I need saving from except you?" I asked jokingly.

She glared at me.

"Listen to your grandmother!" Mom said smacking the back of my head. I rubbed on it and listened.

"You know I care about you, and would do anything for you..so I thought maybe what you need is a therapist."

I blinked, "I can handle my own s**t, I'm not venting to some random person."

"It's not open for argument, you are going there." Mom said.

I snorted,

"Or grandma would follow you to school every single day of your life." Mom said calmly.

Well f**k.