Chapter Twenty-Six: Headaches:

How did it turn out like this? I was doing good for myself. I had a secure job and I was living by myself. I was happy. But it all came crashing down. How did this happen? I’m a good person. Why is this happening to me? What have I done to deserve all of this?

“Huh?” Mallory asked. I looked up. Did I just say that out loud? Damn it! I rubbed my forehead.

“Nothing,” I mumbled. “Nothing.” My sister gave me a strange look. Was I finally losing it? I got up and walked out of the den.

“Nate?” she asked. I waved her off as I walked out the back door. I didn’t need to be around people right now. I sat down on the steps and frowned. Was this it? I think I’m going to cry. I leaned back and looked up at the sky. Sure, I have the library volunteer work, but what about after the summer? Then what?

I don’t want to think about that.

I looked up when I heard dogs barking next door. There lab dogs jogging up to the fence. One sat down, panting. I frowned and waved. Very funny, dogs. They had it so easy. They just had to fed and run around. I shook my head. No use crying about it. Now what?

“Nate! Your phone is ringing!” Mallory yelled from inside. I rolled my eyes. I could already guess who it was.

“Let it ring!” I shouted. I didn’t want to deal with them. Didn’t my former students have anything better to do? I shook my head. Come on, don’t think about that. You are trying to get away from all of that. Right… Where the hell was I going to go?

“Your phone is ringing!” Mallory shouted.

“Ignore it!” I shouted. I’ve got to fix that later. I didn’t know about how bad the cheating scandal in Boston would get. For now, I was focused on me. I smacked a mosquito on my arm. Yeah, I should go inside. I sighed and looked at the house. At least, mom doesn’t intently try to stick the knife in me. I stood up and walked inside.

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Mom and my sisters were sitting around in the den playing some sort of a card game. They looked up and saw me.

“Want to join us?” mom asked. I rubbed the back of my head. Might as well. I could use the distraction.

“Sure,” I said. “What are we playing?” I walked over to the coffee table and sat down on the floor. Kim handed me some cards.

“Spite and malice,” mom said. I whistled as I looked down at my hand.

“Wow, we’re going old school, huh?” I asked. “What brought this on?” Mom just shrugged.

“Just felt like it,” she said.

“Ah,” I said.

“Can we start now?” Mallory asked. “Where were we?”

“Oh, I think it was Kim’s turn,” mom said. My other sister looked around.

“Me?” she asked.

“Good on,” she said. Kim took in a breath.

“Okay,” she said. My sister played her hand. For once, I smiled to myself. I couldn’t remember the last time this visit didn’t suck so much. It felt like I was back in high school again. Mallory nudged me on the arm. I looked up and saw her looking at me.

“Go,” she said.

“Oh it’s my turn now?” I asked.

“Yes!” Mallory said. “Now hurry up!”

“Mal,” mom hissed.

“Okay, okay,” I said. I started off my first turn with the hand I had. Planning would have to come later. For now, I was going to enjoy the rest of the night. Though I am going to need a little bit of help with the planning part. There was only one person I could turn to. Already, I wasn’t enjoying. I forced myself to play my hand with a smile on my face.

“Are you okay?” Kim whispered.

“Yeah,” I said. “Everything is just peachy. Who’s next?”

“Me?” mom said. She played her hand as the three of us stared in awkward silence. Damn it. Why did I have to go and fuck it up? I shook my head and tried to bring the mood back.

“So what’s everyone doing tomorrow?” I asked.

“Sleeping,” Mallory said.

“Not much,” Kim said.

“Having some me time,” Mom said.

“Okay, cool,” I said, shrugging. Kim played her next hand. I pressed my lips together. This was going to have to do for now, I guess.