Filed to story: Brace Face Betty Drama Story
“What?” Mom whispers.
“You’re not going to fucking tell him, Mom,” I snap. “You were selfish. You did something really fucking stupid, but you didn’t kill Gail. It was an accident.”
“I have to tell him, sweetheart. It wouldn’t be fair-“
“Do not talk to me about fair!” I yell. “If you wanted fair, you shouldn’t have cheated on Dad. If you wanted fair, you shouldn’t have started with the lies in the first place. Now, to be fair to the rest of this family, you’re gonna have to be a fucking adult, stop being so goddamn selfish, and you’re gonna keep your mouth shut.”
“Betty-“
“You get to be sad. You get to be broken up because your friend died. You do not get to tear the rest of us apart just so you can punish yourself and make yourself feel like you got what you deserved.”
“I did something bad, Betty. I can’t just walk around, pretending it didn’t happen. It wouldn’t be right.”
“Shut up, Mom. Just…just shut the fuck up, okay. Enough damage has already been done. I swear to god, if you hurt Dad and Max like this, I will never forgive you. I mean it. I will never speak to you again.” I get out of the car, vibrating with rage, slamming the door behind me.
Mom’s hot on my heels. “Hey! Hey, get back here, young lady. I know I fucked up, but I am still your mother, okay. I am still the adult.”
I turn on her, stabbing my finger into her chest. I hate that I’m crying. “No, Mom. Don’t you see? You haven’t been the adult in this relationship for a really long time. While you’ve been staying at work late, fucking your boss,
I’ve been doing the cooking.
I’ve been doing the cleaning. I’ve been making sure the laundry’s done, and your eleven-year-old son is fed and clothed. I’m the one making sure everything doesn’t fall apart, and guess what, Mom?
My shit has been falling apart.
My shit has not been okay. And then you show up at the cabin, running to me for comfort, for me to fix this fucking mess, because you know that I will!”
She just stands there. It feels as though she’s looking right through me.
I can’t believe I’ve just said all of that to her, but it needed fucking saying.
Stiffly, Mom turns to face the house…and without another word, she walks inside.
* * *
Dad comes home from work, and I hear him consoling Mom. The walls of the house ring with the sound of her crying, but she doesn’t tell him what she’s done. Max is still over at Halliday’s house for a sleepover with her brother Jamie, thank god, so at least he doesn’t need to know just how dark things have gotten in the Branson household.
Marcus texts me close to midnight.
Marcus: Wanted to give you some space, but now I really need to know if you’re alright.
Me: Not really.
Marcus: Bad, huh? What can I do?
Me: Rescue me. Kidnap me. Whisk me away.
Marcus: Don’t joke. I’ll do it.
If only he could. I’d jump into a car with him and drive off into the sunset in a hot minute if I didn’t think everything would fall apart the moment I left. My hands hover over the keyboard on my cell’s screen while I think of what to type back.
Me: What’s your email address? I’m going to write you.
Marcus: A breakup letter on day two of our relationship. Shit. That’s a record.
Me: Nothing like that. We have a relationship?
Marcus: YES.