by Blair Burden
***
After about two hours at the hospital, I realized they really didn’t need me there anymore, so I went back to the only place I could call home.
When I entered the house, Raymond was sitting in front of the door. “You didn’t go to school today?” he snapped. “I just spoke to Dr. Smith and he said if you don’t start going to school you won’t graduate on time.”
“You spoke to my principle?” I said.
“It seems like no one else cares about you. You’re so close to leaving this school. Why act up now? Is it because of Jordan?”
“No, it’s not because of him. I will start going to class,” I snapped. “And I don’t appreciate you getting into my business.”
“So, where were you today?”
“I’ve been at the—” my thought stopped as I saw Marla unpacking her things.
“Marla is moving back in,” Raymond answered my thought.
“I see,” I said.
“Hi, Cassidy,” she said. “I’m sorry about earlier.”
I began to laugh hysterically. “You guys are the most screwed up couple I know! You don’t know what the hell you want. No wonder your daughter was so messed up in the head…she had two misfits as her parents. Let me guess, you’re not pregnant?”
“Don’t you dare speak to me like that,” Marla said. “In my house!”
“You two need the most help! I feel sorry for you, Raymond.”
“Who are you to tell us what we need? You need help more than us two put together!” Raymond snapped.
“At least I know I have a problem. And guess what, I want to work on it; I am working on it.”
“You should just leave me and my family alone!” Marla cheered. “You’re a bitch! You are so darn stubborn—”
“Marla, quit it!” Raymond said as he shoved Marla away.
“No, why should I? We are all honest in this house!” Marla said. “You should just leave Cassidy because you’re breaking my family up.”
“Me?’ I said.
“Yes. I don’t approve of suicidal people.”
“I was young and I didn’t understand suicide,” I said.
“Was? You mean just this morning; you can’t change in one day!”
“I did change,” I said. “I saved a girl’s life today. She changed me for the better.”
“Oh really, did you save her from choking on a pea?”
“You’re so funny, Marla!” I laughed sarcastically and left to my room.
Raymond followed behind me, scratching his chin. “Don’t worry about Marla—”
“I can’t believe you. That woman is a witch!” I laughed. “Do you remember how she made you feel? She crushed your heart into pieces.”
He shook his head, “I know, but you don’t understand. I love, Marla. She’s all I have. You even said it.”
“Honesty is a bitch sometimes.” I rubbed my eyes. “I didn’t mean it.”
“You’re the queen of honesty,” he said. “Are you going to be okay moving back home?”
“I don’t think I should move back home,” I cried. “Mama hates me.”
“Really?” he said.
“Yes, we always fight,” I sobbed. “I feel like I don't have anyone.”
Raymond shrugged. “That sucks. I guess you can stay here…”
“No way, not with Marla here,” I said. “I don’t want to be a bother.”
“You always have Jordan.”
“But, I like you…a lot. More than you think.”
“Really?” he smiled.
“I do.”
“So, what does that mean?”
“Whatever you want it to mean.”
“This is wrong,” he whispered and pushed me away. “You’re Karen’s friend.”
“Karen is dead,” I whispered as I sat down.
“But, we can’t act as if she doesn’t exist.”
“I know, I’ve been through a lot in a few months, I just need to get away. Maybe I can drop out of school and get my GED or something—”
Marla walked into the room. “She’s not staying here, is she?”
Raymond looked at me. “Uh—”
“Don’t count on it. I’m going to stay somewhere else,” I said. “I don’t want to ruin your perfect family.”
“Like where can you go?” Raymond said.
“I don’t know…I’ll find a place.”
“Don’t be silly, Cassie. You can stay here, with us.”
“No, don’t offer,” Marla chided. “She can leave if she wants.”