8 8-Avoidance Maneuver #37 (1/2)
I get home and see my mom making her awesome beef stew. After she goes to bed I'll have to snag some for Zayne.
Her and I talk about her packing my lunches for school, I tell her I just don't want to stand in line for food when I could get her better food for free quicker. A little flattery never hurts.
”Ariel?” I hear the door open and my dad's voice boom through the house, ”Everyone? I'm home!”
Arriana jumps out of her room and tackles him in a hug, her red hair a streak as she runs past the kitchen.
He catches her, the same he did when he would return from a trip when she was six. They've always been super close, she's always been his princess. He kisses her head and asks her about school.
I wait until they've calmed down to follow mom out of the kitchen. He sees me and smiles, the longer the trips the more he misses us.
”How you doing champ? Your mom said you've been doing really good on your school work and have actually been getting out of the house. It's good to know you're back to your old self.”
”Thanks dad, it's been good, but we definitely missed you. Careful Arriana, now that he's home you have to share that cobbler!” I call down the hall with a laugh.
”Never!” she hollers back.
The three of us laugh as my dad pulls me into a hug, ”I really did miss you kiddo. Go do your homework, we can all talk and catch up at dinner.”
I nod and walk off, looking back to see him pull my mom into a kiss. I've never doubted how much they love each other, I want what they have. Maybe now I can have it.
I start my homework when my phone starts vibrating, Zayne is calling.
I put in my earbuds and hit the answer call button, ”Hey, how are you feeling?”
He sounds exhausted, ”I'm ok, my mom is really worried. I heard her talking to my dad about what happened, she sounded like she was crying. I am so tired I don't know if I have the energy to comfort her. I mostly wanted to call and apologize about today, you shouldn't have had to see that.”
”Zayne don't start, I would have been there no matter what. I wanted to be there for you, what they did was shit and you shouldn't go through that alone. If I let you go through that alone what am I?”
”Eye candy,” I hear the smile in his voice and stop writing to laugh.
”Have you eaten?” He hesitates, ”Zayne?”
”Yeah I ate. My mom made me a frozen pizza and got me settled before she left to get groceries. I ate a few slices before taking a nap. How was the rest of your day?”
”Long, I was really worried about you,” I check the light under my door to make sure no one is out there listening to me, ”You can't do that to yourself Zayne. Babe you have to eat, I'm serious.”
”I know, and I will. I'll try to be better, I promise.”
I hear big footsteps come down the hall, ”I have to go. I'll text you soon, please eat some more. I'll be sure to come over tonight. Bye.”
I hang up as my door opens and my dad steps in.
”How's it going champ? Need any help?” He hangs in my doorway, still in his suit.
”Just Physics, I finished everything else in my study hall period. You ok dad? You seem off today,” I put down my pencil and take out my earbud.
”It was just a long trip, I haven't been gone that long in years. It's hard to always be away from you kids and your mom. It's nice to finally see you all and I want to take it all in before I have to leave again. Dinner is almost ready, why don't you finish up and come out to the living room? You and I could watch some TV and chat for a bit.”
I nod, nervous about what to talk about. There's so much I'm hiding, I don't know what to tell him. I take my time doing my work while I try to figure out what to do with my dad.
I check my phone and see a text from Zayne, it's a picture of him lounging in his pjs on his bed with a big slice of pizza in his mouth. He's wearing a purple shirt with the Disney logo and grey sweatpants, they look too big on him. None of his clothes fit him right, and part of me wonders if it's to hide the weight loss.
I send him a text.
Tomorrow will be better. Finish eating and rest, I'll see you tonight.
I put up my phone and finish my assignment. Walking into the living room I hear my dad yelling at the TV and the football he's watching. I used to love watching football, but this past summer I've kind of gotten bored with it, every game is pretty much the same.
He calls me over to watch him, because I missed having him home I humor him. I listen to him yell at the players and ref even though they can't hear him. I start dozing off on the couch next to my dad. He shakes me lightly to tell me dinner is ready, prompting to get up and go sit at the counter with my family.
We have a table, we never use it. For some reason we all silently agree to use the counter. I get comfortable on my stool while watching my mom poor out the stew into bowls for everyone, pouring hers last.
I sit and make half-hearted conversation while listening to Arriana gush about the school year so far. My dad listens intently as she goes on about her classes and the boys she likes, I try to be interested but I'm tired and worried about Zayne.
I eat and excuse myself, causing my parents to exchange a worried look when I tell them I want to go to bed.
”Do you want some more food before you go to bed? Maybe take some cobbler with you? It's strawberry, you and your sister's favorite.”
I give her a side hug before heading for the bedroom, ”Maybe later mom, I'll probably get up and get some in the middle of the night. I'm sorry, I just feel really tired,” I look at my dad who watches me with concern, ”It's really good to have you home dad. Maybe this weekend we can go out to lunch.”
He nods as I walk out and fall on my bed. I text Arriana and quickly fall asleep.
Put some stew and cobbler in Tupperware for me? If you could wake me when mom and dad are asleep so I could go see Zayne I'd appreciate it. Love you guys
I fall asleep faster than I ever imagined possible. I still have on my jeans and socks but I don't really care, especially if I'm going out tonight. I think I hear my phone buzz a couple times but I ignore it and embrace the pull of exhaustion.